New Delhi, Jan 16 (.) India said today that it is keeping a close watch on the Iran situation, and will take whatever measures are necessary to safeguard the around 9,000 Indian nationals living in the Islamic Republic of Iran that has been hit by massive protests.
The Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, answering questions on Iran in his weekly media briefing, said:
“In Iran we have 9,000 Indians; most of them are students, and we also have pilgrims and seafarers and businesspersons. We have issued advisories asking Indians to avoid travel to Iran, and those already there were requested to leave.
“As of now, commercial flights are there, they should use it to leave. We are keeping a close watch on the situation, and whatever is needed for our people we will do,” he said.
On Thursday, a source had said that “In view of the evolving situation in Iran, the Ministry of External Affairs is making preparations to facilitate return of Indian nationals who wish to travel back to India,” hinting at the likelihood of beginning evacuations if the situation escalates.
In its Jan 14 advisory on the Iran situation, the MEA had strongly advised Indian nationals to avoid travel to the Islamic Republic of Iran until further notice.
The Embassy of India in Tehran, in an advisory said that in view of the evolving situation in Iran, Indian nationals who are currently in the country, be it students, pilgrims, businesspersons or tourists, are advised to leave Iran by available means of transport, including commercial flights.
In a Jan 5 advisory, the MEA had urged Indians to avoid non-essential travel to Iran, and asked Indian citizens and Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) residing in Iran to avoid visiting areas of protests.

The advisories were issued in view of the raging protests in Iran, that began late last month after the Iranian currency rial plunged to record lows. The protests have since spread to all 31 provinces, evolving from an agitation against economic woes to a demand for political change. The death toll from the nationwide protests has increased to over 2,500, according to US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA).
According to the latest developments, there is a digital blackout in Iran, with very little news trickling out.
Late on Thursday, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said that “All options remain on the table”, with regard to the US action on Iran.
She said that President Donald Trump continues to closely monitor the situation on the ground in Iran, and that it had been communicated to Iran that “if the killing continues, there will be grave consequences”.
She also claimed that 800 Iranian executions supposed to take place on Thursday, had been halted.
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