NEW DELHI, June 16: India on Monday started evacuating its students from war-torn Iran via the Armenia route as tensions between Tel Aviv and Tehran continue to rise. The development came hours after the Indian government assured that the Indian Embassy in Tehran was continuously monitoring the security situation of students in Tehran.
Earlier in the day, the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) spokesperson Effie Deffrin assured India of full cooperation in the safe evacuation of Indian students from Iran. “We will help in whatever way possible to ensure the safe evacuation of Indian nationals from Iran,” Deffrin said.
Meanwhile, the embassy of India in Tehran has formally requested Shiraz University of Medical Sciences to facilitate the evacuation of Indian nationals and students of Indian origin studying at the university. Referring to a communication from Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs dated June 15, 2025, the embassy confirmed that arrangements have been made for the students’ safe departure.
The embassy has assured that it will take full responsibility for the movement and security of the students as part of the planned evacuation process. So far, at least 224 people have been killed in Israeli airstrikes across Iran, while Iran fired a new wave of missile attacks on Israel early Monday, killing at least eight people.
Amid the ongoing tensions, Israel warned the residents of parts of Tehran to evacuate ahead of new strikes. Monday marks Day 4 of the ongoing conflict between the two nations, which began after Israel targeted Iran’s nuclear program and attacked its nuclear, missile, and military complex. Israel retaliated with strikes on Saturday, adding further to the tensions.
(Manas Dasgupta)
