Anxiety, relief, and gratitude marked the arrival of several Indian nationals at Indira Gandhi International Airport on Friday, following New Delhi’s advisories for citizens to leave Iran amid escalating protests and a tense security situation. Students, pilgrims, businesspeople, and tourists returned after the Ministry of External Affairs and the Indian Embassy in Tehran urged departures using available transport, with the government closely monitoring their safety.
Returnees described worsening conditions on the ground, including protests, movement restrictions, and communication blackouts. One passenger said, “The conditions were bad there. The Government of India is cooperating a lot, and the Embassy guided us on leaving as early as possible.” Another recalled being unable to contact family due to the internet shutdown, describing the situation as dangerous and chaotic.
Families at the airport expressed relief and gratitude toward the government for facilitating the evacuation. A relative waiting for a pilgrim noted, “Iran has always been a good friend of India. We thank the Government of India for making this possible; we are very happy our family member is returning safely.” Others described the environment in Iran as “war-like,” highlighting the fear caused by protests and communication disruptions.
The Indian Embassy in Tehran had cited the “evolving situation” and advised nationals to leave via commercial flights or other means. Meanwhile, the MEA reiterated warnings against travel to Iran until conditions stabilise. The unrest, which began at Tehran’s Grand Bazaar on December 28 following a sharp fall in the rial, has spread nationwide amid economic pressures, including power outages, water shortages, unemployment, and inflation.
Authorities continue to coordinate with the embassy as more Indians are expected to return in the coming days, with New Delhi closely tracking developments in the region.
