Leave Iran by any means, New Delhi tells Indians

New Delhi: Amidst the threat of a US attack on Iran, which is reeling under mass protests, the govt strongly advised Indian nationals in the country to leave through all available means of transport, including commercial flights as Iranian airspace remains open.Later in the evening, foreign minister S Jaishankar also received a call from his Iranian counterpart, Seyed Abbas Araghchi. Jaishankar posted on X that they discussed the evolving situation in and around Iran. For India, the immediate priority is to ensure the safety and security of about 9,000 Indian nationals in Iran. These include 2,000 medical students, 4,000 seminary students, and another 2,000 fishermen in coastal areas. The remaining are mostly workers, pilgrims and floating population. "In view of the ongoing developments in Iran, Indian nationals are once again strongly advised to avoid travel to the Islamic Republic of Iran until further notice," the foreign ministry said in an advisory.The overall situation in Iran over the last few days has deteriorated dramatically as the toll from the nationwide protests has topped 2,000, according to US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency, with an Iranian health ministry official saying as many as 3,000 had died.The protests in the country also triggered wider tensions in West Asia after US President Donald Trump warned Tehran against a brutal crackdown on demonstrators, indicating military strikes. In a message to the protesters, Trump had said on Tuesday that “help is on the way”.“In view of evolving situation in Iran, Indian nationals currently in Iran (students, pilgrims, business persons & tourists) are advised to leave Iran by available means of transport, including commercial flights,” Indian embassy in Iran said in a fresh advisory.“It is reiterated that all Indian citizens and PIOs should exercise due caution, avoid areas of protests or demonstrations, stay in contact with the Indian Embassy in Iran and monitor local media for any developments,” it said.Meanwhile, AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi requested Jaishankar to evacuate a woman student from Hyderabad, who is stranded in Tehran.