New Delhi, June 16: As tensions intensify between Iran and Israel, the Indian Government has initiated the relocation of Indian students, including those from Jammu and Kashmir (J&K), from high-risk zones in Iran.

Meanwhile, the Jammu and Kashmir Students’ Association (JKSA) has made an urgent appeal to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, seeking immediate intervention for the evacuation of hundreds of Kashmiri students stranded in Iran.

In a letter addressed to Prime Minister Modi on Monday, the JKSA expressed “grave concern” over the deteriorating security situation in Iran following Israeli airstrikes on Iranian nuclear sites and other key defence and energy infrastructure and retaliatory missile attacks by Iran.

The escalation has left Indian students — including those from Kashmir — vulnerable, scared, and exposed to life-threatening dangers.

“These students had gone to Iran to pursue professional education, especially MBBS, owing to its affordable infrastructure,” the letter read. “Now, they are caught in an active military zone, traumatised and desperate for safety.”

According to the JKSA, a recent drone attack near the Hujjatdost Dormitory of Tehran University of Medical Sciences left two Kashmiri students injured. Both are reportedly in a stable condition and have been shifted to Ramsar, a safer location, by university officials.

Students have described harrowing scenes of airstrike sirens, tremors, and intensified military activity near campuses and hostels.

The JKSA said students enrolled in various Iranian universities —especially in Tehran, Qom, and other high-alert regions — are “hearing continuous sounds of strikes and air defence systems.” Many are facing psychological distress, while their families in India remain anxious and fearful.

It is pertinent to note here that Tehran on Monday responded positively to India’s request for assistance in evacuating Indian citizens, particularly students stranded in Iranian cities.

While Iran’s airspace remains closed due to ongoing military action, the Iranian government has assured that all land borders are open and available for safe passage.

According to media reports, the Foreign Minister of Iran gave the green light to India’s diplomatic mission and extended help for the safe evacuation of diplomats and civilians.

“Given the current condition and the closure of the country’s airports, as well as the request of many political missions to transfer their diplomats and nationals abroad, we inform that all land borders are open for crossing,” it said.

Similarly, the Indian Embassy in Iran on Saturday said on X, “In view of the current situation in Iran, all Indian nationals and persons of Indian origin in Iran are requested to remain vigilant, avoid all unnecessary movements, follow the Embassy’s Social Media accounts and observe safety protocols as advised by local authorities.”

The Indian Embassy has been putting up the advisory for all Indian nationals and Persons of Indian Origin currently in Iran and has been sharing the emergency contact numbers, for the safety of Indians residing in Iran.

New Delhi, June 16: With the escalating tensions in the Middle East following the recent conflict between Iran and Israel, the Ministry of External Affairs in a statement on Monday said that India is closely monitoring the security situation to ensure the safety and welfare of its nationals in both countries.

In a statement released on social media platform X, the MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal confirmed that the Indian Embassy in Tehran is “continuously monitoring the security situation and engaging Indian students in Iran to ensure their safety.”

The statement also added that “in some cases, students are being relocated with the Embassy’s facilitation to safer places within Iran,” adding that “other feasible options are also under examination”.

The Embassy is also in contact with community leaders across Iran regarding the welfare and safety of Indian citizens, the MEA said.

The statement by the MEA comes hours after Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah spoke to External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar regarding students from the Union Territory stuck in Iran.

More than 1,500 Indian students, most of them from Jammu and Kashmir, are stranded in Iran.

The parents have appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and S. Jaishankar to intervene and facilitate the safe return of the Indian students.

The majority of the students stranded in Tehran, Shiraz, and Qom cities of Iran are pursuing professional courses, primarily MBBS.

Earlier, the Indian Embassy in Iran asked all Indian nationals and Persons of Indian Origin to remain vigilant, and also provided a Google form on its X account, asking the Indian citizens to fill it out to provide their details.

“Please remember, it is important not to panic, exercise due caution and maintain contact with the Embassy of India in Tehran,” it said.

It also provided a Telegram Link and asked the Indian citizens to join it to receive updates on the situation from the mission.

Israel launched “Operation Rising Lion” with a surprise attack on Friday morning that wiped out the top echelon of Iran’s military command and damaged its nuclear sites.

Iran retaliated with air strikes, with both countries launching hundreds of missiles at each other in the last three days.

While Israel has said the campaign will continue to escalate in the coming days, Iran has vowed to “open the gates of hell” in retaliation.

Additionally, several helpline numbers have been issued by Indian missions in both Iran and Israel.

The Indian Embassy in Israel said it is in constant touch with local authorities and monitoring developments closely.

The MEA is expected to continue issuing advisories as the situation unfolds.

In the meantime, Indian nationals in the region have been urged to remain alert, follow official guidance, and limit outdoor movement.

The conflict between Israel and Iran has not only raised global diplomatic concerns but also created anxiety among thousands of foreign nationals, including Indians, living and working in Iran.

New Delhi, June 14: Amid escalating tensions in the Middle East, Air India and IndiGo, two of India’s leading airlines, have issued public advisories to alert passengers about flight delays and reroutes due to the closure of Iranian airspace. Air India on Saturday said that it has rerouted several flights due to airspace closures. The airline announced that some of its flights are now operating on longer, alternative routes to ensure the safety of passengers and crew.

Air India, the national carrier, shared an official update on social media platform X, stating: “Due to the emerging situation in Iran and parts of the Middle East, the subsequent closure of airspace, and in view of the safety of our passengers, some of our flights are operating on alternative extended routes. We are doing our best to minimise any inconvenience caused to our passengers due to this unforeseen airspace closure. We would like to reiterate that at Air India, the safety of our customers and crew remains top priority.”

The advisory comes as airspace over Iran and nearby regions remains closed, following a series of regional escalations.

The situation has significantly impacted several international air routes that usually traverse Iranian skies, particularly those operating between India and Europe, or India and North America.

IndiGo, India’s largest airline by market share, also issued a statement through X warning passengers of potential disruptions.

“Airspace over Iran and surrounding areas continues to be unavailable. Certain flight paths may need adjustments, leading to extended travel durations or delays,” the airline said in its advisory.

IndiGo has advised all passengers to check their flight status via its website or mobile application before heading to the airport to avoid last-minute surprises. The airline assured that its customer service teams are actively assisting travellers affected by these delays.

Both airlines are working to reroute affected flights via alternative air corridors, which may result in longer flying times. As a result, several services to and from Europe, the Gulf, and Central Asia are experiencing delays ranging from 30 minutes to several hours.

Passengers have been urged to stay updated on real-time flight schedules and remain in contact with the respective airline helplines.

The current geopolitical uncertainty follows Iran’s response to recent Israeli airstrikes, which triggered broader concerns over regional security and airspace safety. Aviation authorities in multiple countries have already issued NOTAMs (Notices to Airmen), advising airlines to avoid the region until further notice.

While airlines assure that passenger safety remains their utmost priority, industry experts say the airspace disruption could continue for several days or even weeks, depending on how the situation evolves diplomatically.

For now, travelers flying to the West or through the Middle East are advised to plan ahead, allow extra time for transit, and remain patient as airlines navigate the complex airspace restrictions.