As the Iran-Israel conflict intensifies, the Government of India has initiated Operation Sindhu, a coordinated evacuation effort to ensure the safety of Indian nationals in Iran. The first phase of the operation successfully evacuated 110 Indian students from northern Iran, who were safely transported to Armenia on June 17.
The students, assisted by the Indian Embassies in Tehran and Yerevan, travelled by road to the Armenian capital, Yerevan, under close supervision. They boarded a special flight at 14:55 hours on June 18 and are expected to arrive in New Delhi in the early hours of June 19.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) expressed gratitude to the governments of Iran and Armenia for their cooperation in facilitating the safe passage of Indian citizens. “Government of India is grateful to the Governments of Iran and Armenia for the smooth facilitation of the evacuation process” External Affairs Ministry said in a statement.
The evacuation comes amid a growing security crisis in the region, with both Iran and Israel engaged in a dangerous exchange of missile attacks. Civilian areas have borne the brunt of the conflict, prompting urgent action from Indian authorities. At least 224 people have reportedly been killed in Iran and 24 in Israel since the hostilities began.
In addition to relocating students, the Indian Embassy in Tehran has been helping many other Indian nationals move from conflict-prone areas to safer locations within Iran. The embassy is also working on plans to facilitate further evacuations, depending on the situation on the ground and available routes.
The MEA reiterated that the safety and security of Indian nationals abroad is of the highest priority. Indian citizens currently in Iran have been advised to stay in touch with the embassy and make use of the emergency communication channels that have been activated.
Emergency Contact Details:
For those still in Iran, the Embassy of India in Tehran can be reached through the following emergency helplines: Calls only: +98 9128109115, +98 9128109109, WhatsApp: +98 901044557, +98 9015993320, +91 8086871709, Regional contacts: Bandar Abbas: +98 9177699036, Zahedan: +98 9396356649, Email: [email protected]
Additionally, the MEA has set up a 24×7 Control Room in New Delhi to support the ongoing evacuation: Toll-Free: 800118797, Landlines: +91-11-23012113, +91-11-23014104, +91-11-23017905, WhatsApp: +91-9968291988, Email: [email protected]
