Indian Students in Iran Call for Swift Evacuation as Tensions Escalate
As Israel and Iran exchange a series of retaliatory strikes, hundreds of Indian students studying in Iran are increasingly alarmed and urging immediate evacuation. The situation has grown particularly tense near Tehran, where blasts have been reported just a few kilometres from student residences, disrupting sleep and sparking widespread fear.
Jammu and Kashmir Students Caught in Conflict Zone
Many students from Jammu and Kashmir are enrolled in Iranian universities, including Shahid Beheshti University and Iran University of Medical Science. Imtisal Mohidin, a 22-year-old third-year MBBS student from Kupwara’s Handwara region, shared harrowing details of their ordeal.
“I woke up at 2:30 am to loud explosions and rushed to the basement. We haven’t slept since,” Imtisal recalled. Over 350 Indian students study at his university alone, which is renowned for its affordable and quality medical education. He revealed that the university’s classes have been suspended and students are avoiding any movement due to the ongoing bombardments.
Notably, Shahid Beheshti University has strong ties to Iran’s nuclear program—three Iranian nuclear scientists killed in recent attacks were professors there.
Embassy Efforts to Support Students Amid Growing Uncertainty
The Indian Embassy in Tehran is actively monitoring the volatile security environment and has advised Indian nationals to remain indoors. The Embassy has also shared helpline numbers and established a dedicated Telegram channel exclusively for Indians in Iran to disseminate timely updates.
A recent statement from the Ministry of External Affairs affirmed that the Embassy is coordinating student relocations to safer locations when possible and exploring other evacuation options, although no formal evacuation plan has yet been announced.
- Students remain fearful and frustrated, relying heavily on embassy advisories.
- Communication barriers persist, with slow internet hindering regular contact with families.
- Many are storing basic supplies like drinking water amid the uncertainty.
Voices from the Ground: The Human Side of the Crisis
Faizan Nabi, a first-year medical student at Kerman University of Medical Sciences, described the atmosphere: “Although Kerman is safer than Tehran, the panic is spreading fast. We even heard gunshots recently. My friends in Tehran are terrified.”
Midhat, a fourth-year MBBS student from Sopore studying at Iran University of Medical Science, called the first night of strikes “the most horrifying.” She noted that although the Embassy stays in touch over WhatsApp, her university has offered little support.
“We’re all scared and just trying to stay inside. Nobody knows how long this will last,” Midhat said.
Looking Ahead: Awaiting a Safe Passage Home
With Iranian airspace restricted and violence unpredictable, Indian students remain uncertain about when they might return home. For now, their primary hope lies in evacuation efforts that could reunite them with loved ones and finally offer some respite from the unrest.
