New Delhi [India], January 14 (ANI): The Ministry of External Affairs on Wednesday strongly advised Indian nationals to avoid travel to Iran until further notice amid rising tensions and ongoing protests in the Islamic Republic.
“In view of the ongoing developments in Iran, Indian nationals are once again strongly advised to avoid travel to the Islamic Republic of Iran until further notice,” the MEA said in a statement.
The fresh warning follows an earlier advisory issued by the Government of India on January 5 amid mounting concerns over the worsening security situation in Iran.
Separately, the Indian Embassy in Tehran has advised Indian nationals currently in Iran to leave the country at the earliest.
“Indian nationals who are currently in Iran, including students, pilgrims, businesspersons, and tourists, are advised to leave Iran by available means of transport, including commercial flights,” the Embassy said in an advisory posted on X.
Reiterating the earlier advisory, the Embassy said all Indian citizens and Persons of Indian Origin should exercise due caution, avoid areas of protests or demonstrations, remain in contact with the Indian Embassy in Iran, and closely monitor local media for updates.
The Embassy also urged Indian nationals to keep their travel and immigration documents, including passports and identification cards, readily available and to contact the Embassy for any assistance. Emergency contact helplines of the Indian Embassy in Tehran have been shared for support.
Indian nationals in Iran who have not yet registered with the Embassy have been requested to do so through the designated online portal. In cases where registration is not possible due to internet disruptions in Iran, family members in India have been advised to complete the registration on their behalf.
The advisories come as Iran continues to witness unrest, with protests entering their 20th day on Wednesday. What began as demonstrations over record inflation and the sharp fall in Iran’s currency has expanded into widespread nationwide unrest, with reports of agitation across more than 280 locations.
According to Al Jazeera, Iranian state television has acknowledged reports of a high death toll linked to the nationwide protests, quoting the head of the Martyrs Foundation as saying that “armed and terrorist groups” were responsible. The report added that internet services have remained cut off in Iran for more than five days, although international phone services have resumed intermittently.
Meanwhile, Iran is set to witness further violence as the administration has decided to execute its first protester amid mass arrests of anti-regime demonstrators, the New York Post reported, citing human rights groups.
Amid the unrest and growing international focus, Iran has formally appealed to the United Nations Security Council and the UN Secretary-General, accusing the United States of inciting violence, interfering in Iran’s internal affairs, and threatening military action, according to an official letter circulated by Iran’s Permanent Mission to the UN.
In the letter, Iran’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Amir Saeid Iravani, expressed grave concern over recent remarks by the US President regarding the protests. Tehran claimed the comments encouraged unrest and signaled external support for attempts to seize state institutions, which Iranian officials described as a direct threat to Iran’s sovereignty and national security.
Iran further maintained that the statements violated core principles of international law, including provisions of the UN Charter that prohibit the threat or use of force and bar intervention in the internal affairs of sovereign nations. The letter asserted that such rhetoric contributes to political destabilization and could fuel violence with serious consequences for regional and international peace and security.
The appeal follows comments made by US President Donald Trump on Tuesday, in which he called on Iranians to continue their protests. In a post on Truth Social, Trump urged demonstrators to keep protesting and take over institutions, while also stating that he had canceled meetings with Iranian officials until the killing of protesters stopped. (ANI)
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