India's major action amidst Iran-Israel tension,
The growing military tension between Israel and Iran has caught the attention of the whole world. Meanwhile, India has taken a big step to safely evacuate Indian students stranded in Tehran, giving priority to the safety of its citizens. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced on Tuesday, June 17, 2025 that Indian students studying in Tehran have been evacuated from the city due to security reasons. Along with this, some Indian citizens have been safely evacuated from Iran through the border of Armenia. This news has become a topic of discussion not only in India but also globally. There have been continuous missile attacks between Israel and Iran for the last five days. Israel launched 'Operation Rising Lion' on June 13, targeting Iran's nuclear sites. Iran claims that more than 225 people were killed in these attacks, mostly civilians. Bombing incidents in Tehran intensified from Friday, due to which students had to take refuge in temporary shelters. The Indian Embassy immediately swung into action and started evacuating students to safe places. According to the Jammu and Kashmir Students Union, 110 Indian students of Urmia Medical University were safely evacuated to the Armenia border, including 90 students from the Kashmir Valley. Also, on Monday, around 600 students were evacuated from Tehran to the city of Qom, which is considered relatively safe. Qom houses more than 60% of the international students. Students are also being evacuated from cities like Shiraz and Isfahan to safer areas like Yazd.
Proactive role of Indian Embassy
The Indian Embassy has set up a 24x7 helpline in Tehran, the numbers of which are: +989010144557, +989128109115 and +989128109109. The Embassy has appealed to all Indian nationals and Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) to use their own resources to leave Tehran and move to a safer place. The Ministry of External Affairs has also set up a 24x7 control room in Delhi, the contact numbers of which are: 1800118797 (toll-free), +91-11-23012113, and +91-9968291988 (WhatsApp). The embassy arranged buses and other modes of transport to evacuate the students safely.
Evacuation via Armenia
Since Iran's airspace was closed, India opted for evacuation via the Armenian border. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar spoke to his Armenian counterpart Ararat Mirzoyan on Monday and sought cooperation in the operation. 110 students were airlifted to Armenia, from where they are scheduled to fly to Delhi on June 18. The move reflects India's diplomatic strength and commitment to the safety of its citizens.
However, there are still some Indian students stranded in Kermanshah, who are seeking evacuation from the embassy. Faizan, a student of Kerman University of Medical Sciences, said the embassy is in constant touch and making arrangements for food, shelter and transport. He hopes that their evacuation will happen soon via the Afghanistan border.
Global context and India's vigilance
This operation shows India's ability to take quick action in an emergency. Israeli military spokesman Brigadier General Ifi Defrin claimed that his army has gained full control of Tehran's skies. Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump decided to leave the G-7 summit midway and return to Washington, indicating rising tensions in the region. India not only evacuated its students but also advised other Indian citizens to move to safer places.
Conclusion
Amid the Israel-Iran conflict, India's move not only reflects its commitment to the safety of its citizens but also highlights its diplomatic strength on the global stage. The quick action of the Indian Embassy and the Ministry of External Affairs has given hope to thousands of people. As the situation evolves, India stands prepared to take all necessary steps to protect its citizens.