India on Wednesday asked all its nationals currently in Iran to leave the country using available commercial means, citing a sharp deterioration in the security situation amid widespread anti-government protests and a heavy crackdown by authorities.
The government has also issued a strong advisory urging Indians to avoid travelling to Iran until further notice.
Advisory issued for Indian nationals in Iran
In a fresh advisory, the Indian Embassy in Iran said Indian citizens, including students, pilgrims, businesspersons and tourists, should leave Iran by available modes of transport, including commercial flights.
The embassy further advised Indian nationals and persons of Indian origin to exercise extreme caution, avoid areas witnessing protests or demonstrations, stay in regular contact with the embassy, and closely monitor local developments through official channels and local media.
Separately, the Ministry of External Affairs reiterated its warning, strongly advising Indians against travelling to Iran in view of the evolving situation. Earlier this month, the ministry had already asked citizens to avoid non-essential travel and urged those residing in Iran to remain cautious.
Protests spread nationwide
The unrest in Iran began late last month in Tehran after the Iranian currency, the rial, fell to record lows. What started as protests over economic hardship has since expanded into a broader movement demanding political change.
The demonstrations have now spread across all 31 provinces of the country, with the overall situation deteriorating significantly in recent days.
According to reports cited by media, the death toll from the nationwide protests has crossed 2,500, reflecting the scale and intensity of the ongoing crackdown.
Rising regional tensions
The developments in Iran have also contributed to heightened tensions in West Asia. The situation escalated further after the US president warned Tehran against the use of force on demonstrators and hinted at possible military action.
In a message addressed to protesters, the US president said that “help is on the way,” adding to the growing international pressure surrounding the crisis.