India Urges Citizens to Leave Tehran Amid Escalating Israel-Iran Conflict
Amid ongoing hostilities between Israel and Iran, the Indian government on Tuesday issued a fresh advisory urging all Indian nationals and Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) residing in Tehran to move out of the city immediately due to the growing threat of airstrikes.
The advisory, issued by the Embassy of India in Tehran, came as the Iranian capital continued to face intense aerial assaults by Israeli drones and missiles for the fifth consecutive day. In a public message, the embassy called on individuals who have the means to evacuate to do so without delay.
“All Indian Nationals and PIOs who can move out of Tehran using their own resources are advised to move to a safe location outside the city,” the statement read.
The embassy further requested that citizens who have not yet registered their presence with the mission urgently contact the embassy and share their location and contact details. Three emergency helpline numbers have been issued: +98 9010144557, +98 9128109115, and +98 9128109109.
The advisory comes amid a deepening conflict between Israel and Iran that has already claimed hundreds of lives. According to Iranian authorities, 224 people—mostly civilians—have been killed in the past five days of cross-border strikes. Israel has reported 24 civilian fatalities and has evacuated around 3,000 residents from high-risk zones.
India’s advisory marks a significant shift from earlier alerts, reflecting the increasing danger to foreign nationals as the conflict intensifies. No official evacuation has been announced yet, but the call for voluntary relocation underscores the seriousness of the situation.
Eyewitness videos and social media reports from Tehran show multiple explosions lighting up the night sky and emergency services rushing to impacted areas. Residents have reported power outages and intermittent internet access, worsening panic in the city.
This is the second such advisory issued by India in less than a week. The first urged caution and advised citizens to remain indoors. However, with the frequency and severity of airstrikes increasing, authorities have now advised relocation where possible.
The Israel-Iran conflict erupted following Israel’s launch of Operation Rising Lion on June 13, citing intelligence that Iran was close to producing a nuclear weapon. The operation has seen coordinated strikes targeting Iran’s military infrastructure and suspected nuclear facilities.
India has maintained a neutral stance on the conflict but has emphasized the safety of its citizens abroad as a top priority.
