India urges its nationals in Iran to leave amid escalating protests and rising deaths, and stay in contact with the embassy with travel documents ready.
The advisory comes as the unrest in Iran has entered its third week, with demonstrations spreading to nearly every province and large crowds demanding economic reform and political change. (Photo: Social Media)
The Indian Embassy in Tehran has issued a fresh safety advisory for Indian nationals in Iran as nationwide protests intensify and the situation becomes more dangerous. In its updated message, the embassy has repeated its call for students, pilgrims, tourists, business travellers, and others to leave Iran using available means of transport, including commercial flights, because of the “evolving situation” inside the country.
The advisory comes as the unrest in Iran has entered its third week, with demonstrations spreading to nearly every province and large crowds demanding economic reform and political change. Authorities have responded with a powerful crackdown, making the environment increasingly unstable for residents and foreign visitors alike.
In its advisory, the embassy urged all Indian citizens and Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) in Iran to take several precautions, including:
The embassy also shared emergency contact numbers for immediate help and encouraged Indian nationals who have not yet registered with the embassy to do so using the official registration portal. Families in India were invited to register on behalf of those in Iran if internet disruptions are making registration difficult.
The death toll from the anti-government protests in Iran has risen sharply since demonstrations began in late December 2025. According to the Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), at least 2,550 people have been killed, including protesters and some security personnel, across dozens of cities.
Estimates vary due to restricted communications and limited reporting, but multiple organisations have reported heavy casualties and significant numbers of arrests, with more than 18,000 detained amid the unrest.
Despite the government’s efforts to block information through internet and mobile restrictions, partial restoration of international calls has allowed some details about the casualties and violent confrontations to reach the outside world.
Protests erupted against rising inflation, economic hardship, and political grievances, quickly spreading nationwide. In response, Iranian authorities imposed a near‑total internet blackout and restricted communication channels, complicating efforts to verify casualty figures and human rights violations.
Even as authorities restored limited international calling, access to broader internet services remains severely limited, hampering the flow of independent information.
The Indian Embassy’s latest message underscores the rising risk faced by foreign residents in Iran’s volatile environment, where protests can turn unpredictable, and clashes between civilians and security forces have become widespread.
With commercial flights and travel infrastructure under stress and logistical challenges growing, the embassy’s plea for Indian nationals to depart “by available means of transport” stresses urgency and caution.
In addition to travel warnings, Indian authorities have emphasised the importance of being aware of local conditions, avoiding areas of unrest, and staying in touch with the embassy for updates on safety and evacuation support.
Indian citizens and PIOs in Iran are recommended to:
Register with the Indian Embassy if not already done, using the official registration link or seeking help through family members abroad.
The situation in Iran has drawn international attention, with many governments expressing concern about the rising death toll and the reported heavy-handed response to civilian protests. The communication blackout and limitations on independent reporting make it difficult to obtain a comprehensive picture, but the reported toll and thousands of arrests highlight the scale of the crisis.
As unrest continues, many countries, including India, are cautioning their citizens to take precautions, avoid unnecessary travel, and consider leaving Iran if conditions deteriorate further.
