New Delhi: The Embassy of India in Tehran has issued an important advisory for Indian nationals currently residing in Iran, urging them not to approach any of the country’s land borders for travel outside Iran without prior coordination with the mission.
In the advisory accessed by the news agency, the embassy said any movement toward land border points should be undertaken only after obtaining explicit guidance from the embassy. The advisory comes amid growing concerns among Indian citizens, including a significant number of students, about travel arrangements and safety in the region.
The embassy cautioned that individuals attempting to leave Iran through land borders without proper coordination may face serious difficulties.
“Indian nationals are hereby advised not to approach any of the land borders of Iran for travel outside the country without prior coordination with the Embassy. Any movement towards land border points should be undertaken only after obtaining explicit guidance from the Embassy,” the advisory reads.
Officials further warned that the embassy may not be able to assist individuals who leave Iranian territory but fail to gain entry into a third country.
“It may please be noted that the Embassy will not be in a position to extend assistance once individuals have exited Iranian territory and are unable to enter the third country concerned,” the advisory stated.
The development assumes significance as several Indian nationals, including students studying in Iranian universities, have been exploring options to travel through neighbouring countries by land routes. Authorities have urged them to remain in contact with the embassy and follow official instructions to avoid complications.
The embassy reiterated that it remains available to guide and assist Indian nationals through its emergency helplines. Citizens requiring urgent assistance have been asked to contact the following numbers: Mobile: +98 912 810 9115, +98 912 810 9102, +98 912 810 9109, +98 993 217 9359, and email: [email protected]
Officials have advised Indian nationals to stay updated through official communications and avoid taking independent travel decisions, especially involving land border crossings, without consulting the embassy.
Indian students send distress calls to Govt
Srinagar, Mar 09: Indian medical students, including several from Jammu and Kashmir, studying at universities across Iran have sent urgent distress messages to authorities, expressing fear for their lives and demanding immediate evacuation as explosions rattle areas near their accommodation amid escalating tensions.
As per the news agency, students from Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Iran University of Medical Sciences in Qom, Kerman University, Shiraz University and Isfahan University of Medical Sciences have all reported being in contact with the Indian Embassy in Tehran seeking help.
Students at Urmia said they had submitted their details to the embassy for evacuation, but were told that the only route out was through Armenia, and that they would have to bear their own onward travel expenses from there to India.
“Most of us are students and cannot afford such costly arrangements,” a Kashmiri student at Urmia University said.
Many students have been accommodated by the embassy in a hotel near the Fatima Masumeh Shrine area in Qom. However, students say that the location has become alarming.
“On the night of March 8, we heard two to three loud blasts near our hotel. Some buildings within nearly 200 metres of our accommodation were reportedly targeted. We are extremely frightened. Many students were crying and calling their families,” a student said.
Students from Kerman, however, said embassy officials had informed them that the area was considered safe and that there was no relocation plan in place.
Students at Shiraz and Isfahan universities reported receiving similar responses from authorities despite reports of attacks in surrounding areas. Many have begun shifting to basements and safer corners of their buildings whenever they hear sounds of explosions.
Parents of the affected students in Jammu and Kashmir have urged the Government of India to act immediately.
Another parent alleged the official response had been slow. Dr Mohammad Momin Khan, National Representative of the All India Medical Students Association (AIMSA), said distress calls from students across Iran were increasing rapidly.
“We are receiving nearly 500 distress calls daily from students across Iran. Many of them are frightened and requesting immediate evacuation. We are in constant contact with them and are also conveying their concerns to the concerned authorities,” Dr Khan said. He urged the Government of India to take urgent steps for safe evacuation.
