Indian Students Relocated from Tehran Amid Escalating Iran-Israel Conflict; MEA Assures Continued Support

As tensions between Iran and Israel continue to escalate, the Indian government has moved Indian students out of Tehran for safety reasons. In a statement, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed that the Embassy of India in Tehran arranged for their relocation.

“Indian students in Tehran have been moved out of the city for reasons of safety, through arrangements made by the Embassy,” the MEA said, urging other Indian nationals in the region to also leave the city.

The ministry added that some Indian citizens have been facilitated to exit Iran through its border with Armenia. “Other residents who are self-sufficient in terms of transport have also been advised to move out of the city in view of the developing situation,” it noted.

The embassy is reportedly in continuous contact with the Indian community in Iran and has pledged to extend all possible assistance. Further advisories are expected based on how the situation unfolds.

Over 4,000 Indians in Iran, Many from Jammu & Kashmir

There are currently more than 4,000 Indian nationals in Iran, with nearly half being students — a large number of whom are from Jammu and Kashmir pursuing medical and professional courses. Iranian universities are popular among Kashmiri students due to lower tuition fees and cultural familiarity. Students are spread across cities including Tehran, Shiraz, and Qom.

Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said he had spoken to External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar about the safety of Kashmiri students in Iran. “The minister assured me the MEA is in regular contact with its Iranian counterpart and will take all necessary steps to safeguard Indian students in Iran,” Abdullah said on social media.

The situation has triggered panic among students and their families in India, particularly after Israel launched a large-scale military offensive on Friday, targeting Tehran and multiple locations across Iran. The strikes reportedly killed high-ranking military officers and nuclear scientists and damaged critical infrastructure — including a nuclear enrichment facility near Qom, about 18 miles from the city.