- India Begins Evacuation of Citizens Stranded in Iran
- Why Armenia Was Chosen as the Evacuation Route
- Land Borders Offer a Safer Exit as Iranian Airports Shut
- Indian Students Appeal for Help Amid Rising Tensions in Tehran
- Tehran Faces Fuel Shortage and Panic as Residents Flee
India Begins Evacuation of Citizens Stranded in Iran
As tensions escalate between Israel and Iran, the Indian government has launched a coordinated evacuation mission to bring home its citizens trapped in the conflict zone. On Monday, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed that the repatriation process had begun, with several Indian nationals, including students, being moved out of Iran through its land border with Armenia.
A batch of 110 Indian students reached the Norduz border crossing, located between northern Iran and Armenia. From there, buses transported them into Armenian territory. Once in Armenia, they will be flown back to India via Yerevan International Airport.
According to Indian officials, nearly 10,000 Indian nationals, including 1,500 students, remain stranded in different parts of Iran. Given the closure of most Iranian airports due to the ongoing hostilities, India opted for a land route to ensure safe passage for its citizens.
Why Armenia Was Chosen as the Evacuation Route
Armenia emerged as India’s top evacuation choice due to several strategic and logistical reasons. Iran shares its borders with seven countries—Pakistan, Afghanistan, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Turkey, and Iraq. Among them, Armenia offered the safest and most reliable option.
Key reasons for choosing Armenia include:
- Geographical proximity to major Iranian cities, allowing quicker and safer movement.
- Stable diplomatic relations between India and Armenia, including defense cooperation agreements.
- Operational readiness of Armenia’s Yerevan International Airport, which continues to function without disruptions.
- Absence of border tensions between Iran and Armenia, unlike Iran’s other neighbors.
India ruled out alternatives such as Pakistan and Iraq due to strained diplomatic ties and ongoing regional conflicts. Countries like Turkey and Azerbaijan were also avoided because of recent political friction with India, especially after their public criticism of India’s Operation Sindoor. Moreover, Turkey’s road link from Iran is considerably longer, making it an impractical evacuation path.
Land Borders Offer a Safer Exit as Iranian Airports Shut
Given the conflict’s intensity, the possibility of a direct airlift from Iran was deemed too risky. Several Iranian cities have come under missile attacks in recent days, and airspace security remains uncertain.
The Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has stated that while international airports are closed, land borders remain open. However, all foreign nationals must register their details with Iranian authorities, including names, passport numbers, vehicle information, exit timing, and border crossing locations before departing.
Flying directly into or out of Iran under the current security climate would require significant clearance and risk management, which is not feasible amid active hostilities. Therefore, the Norduz crossing into Armenia remains the most viable and secure evacuation route.
Indian Students Appeal for Help Amid Rising Tensions in Tehran
The evacuation mission gained urgency after multiple students posted video appeals on social media. In one emotional message, a Kashmiri student studying in Tehran urged Jammu and Kashmir Lt. Governor Manoj Sinha and former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to intervene and facilitate their rescue.
Several students reported difficulty in accessing food and safe shelter. The situation in Tehran has become increasingly dangerous, with public anxiety rising over potential airstrikes.
Tehran Faces Fuel Shortage and Panic as Residents Flee
Amid the escalating Israel-Iran conflict, daily life in Tehran has been upended. Continuous air raid sirens, missile attacks, and the threat of further escalation have led to widespread panic.
According to a CNN report, long lines have formed at gas stations, as residents scramble to stock up on fuel. Some stations have run dry due to supply chain disruptions. Panic buying has caused significant traffic jams, and many residents are fleeing towards the Caspian Sea region in northern Iran, considered safer and more remote.
One local resident told reporters, “There’s no place to hide from bombings in the city. Tehran has no shelters, and people are desperate to escape.”
Over 200 casualties have been reported in Tehran alone since the recent wave of attacks began. The Israeli Defence Forces have issued public warnings, urging civilians living near weapons manufacturing zones to evacuate, adding to the sense of urgency and fear.
India’s Swift Response Praised Amid Crisis
India’s swift and strategic response to evacuate its citizens, particularly students, from a high-risk warzone highlights the government’s commitment to citizen safety abroad. By collaborating with Armenia and leveraging diplomatic ties, India is ensuring a safe and efficient evacuation amid one of the Middle East’s most dangerous geopolitical escalations in recent years.
More evacuation rounds are expected in the coming days, with the MEA closely monitoring developments and coordinating further extractions as conditions allow.
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