In the context of escalating tensions between the United States and Iran, with US President Donald Trump issuing a stark warning that "a whole civilization will die" if Iran refuses to reach a deal including the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, the Indian government has taken significant precautionary measures to safeguard its nationals currently in Iran.
On Tuesday, the Indian embassy in Tehran issued a strong advisory urging all Indian nationals to remain indoors for the next 48 hours. The advisory emphasized that Indians in Iran must avoid electric and military installations, stay away from the upper floors of multi-storey buildings, and refrain from any unnecessary movement. It also instructed those staying in embassy-hired hotels to remain indoors and maintain regular communication with embassy personnel on-site. The embassy further advised Indian nationals to monitor official updates closely and provided a list of emergency contact numbers for assistance.
Later that same day, as the situation in Iran continued to evolve rapidly, the embassy released an updated advisory reinforcing the need for Indians to "shelter in place" and avoid any further movement. It highlighted that any travel within Iran or attempts to reach border crossings should only be undertaken after close coordination with the Indian embassy in Tehran and with explicit guidance from embassy officials.
Since the outbreak of conflict on February 28, the Indian embassy in Tehran has issued a total of seven advisories aimed at ensuring the safety of Indian citizens in the country. Officials have recommended that members of the Indian community stockpile essential supplies such as food and water to prepare for potential disruptions. To reduce risk, many Indians have been relocated from Tehran to other safer locations within Iran over the past few weeks.
Currently, there are approximately 8,000 Indian nationals residing in Iran. The embassy has played an active role in facilitating their safe passage out of the country where possible. To date, 1,862 Indian nationals have been moved from Iran to neighboring countries Armenia and Azerbaijan for onward travel to India. This group includes a significant number of students-935-and 472 fishermen. Indian authorities continue working to assist those who wish to leave Iran amid the ongoing conflict.
Maritime safety remains a key concern given the strategic significance of the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz for global shipping. Indian officials report that all Indian seafarers operating in the region are currently safe, with no incidents involving Indian-flagged vessels reported in the last 24 hours. Tragically, eight Indian nationals, including three seafarers, have lost their lives since the conflict began. Presently, there are 16 Indian-flagged vessels with 433 Indian seafarers operating in the western Persian Gulf region. The Indian government has also facilitated the repatriation of over 1,691 Indian seafarers from airports and various locations across the Gulf, including 92 in the last 24 hours alone.
On the diplomatic front, the Indian government has maintained vigorous engagement with all relevant stakeholders to manage the crisis and protect Indian interests. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has held six conversations with Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi since the onset of hostilities. He has also been in frequent contact with the foreign ministers of Gulf countries such as Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Oman. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has similarly engaged with leaders from Iran, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Oman, speaking with each leader at least twice since the conflict began, underscoring India's commitment to diplomatic outreach in the region.
The Indian government's proactive approach reflects the gravity of the situation and the importance of the Persian Gulf both strategically and economically. The Strait of Hormuz is a critical maritime chokepoint through which a significant portion of the world's oil supply passes, making any disruption there a matter of global concern. India, which relies heavily on energy imports from the Gulf region, has a direct stake in ensuring stability and safe passage for its nationals and vessels.
In summary, India has taken comprehensive measures to protect its citizens amid the tense and unpredictable environment in Iran following the outbreak of war. Through a combination of clear advisories, coordinated evacuations, maritime safety efforts, and sustained diplomatic engagement, the Indian government continues to navigate the crisis with a focus on the safety and security of its people abroad.
The ongoing situation remains fluid, with developments being monitored closely. Indian nationals in the region are urged to follow embassy instructions carefully and stay in regular contact with official channels for updates and assistance. The Indian government's commitment to safeguarding its citizens and maintaining regional stability remains unwavering as the conflict unfolds.
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**About the Reporter**
Shubhajit Roy, Diplomatic Editor at The Indian Express, has over 25 years of journalistic experience, specializing in foreign affairs for more than 17 years. Based in Delhi, he has led the national government and political bureau at The Indian Express. Roy has earned several prestigious awards, including the Ramnath Goenka Journalism Award for Excellence in Journalism (2016) for his coverage of the Holey Bakery attack in Dhaka and the IIMCAA Award for Journalist of the Year (2022, Jury's special mention) for his reporting on the fall of Kabul. He was among the few Indian journalists in Kabul during the Taliban's takeover in August 2021 and the only mainstream newspaper correspondent to cover the event extensively.
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