HYDERABAD: A large number of Hyderabadis living in Iran are growing increasingly anxious as regional tensions between Iran and the US and Israel escalate.While several Hyderabad-origin residents are based in Tehran, many others live in Qom and Shiraz. In recent days, some families have temporarily moved from the capital to relatively safer cities such as Qom, about 150 km away, while others have chosen to remain in Tehran, adopting a waitand-watch approach.
Tamjeed Haider (name changed), a resident of Khairtabad who runs a construction firm in Tehran’s Punak area, said he drove to Qom on Sunday evening with his wife to stay at his brother’s residence.
“The situation is very tense and escalating by the day. People are angry following the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, with protests continuing even during the mourning period. We anticipated some escalation after US military deployments in the region, but the frequency of attacks now sounds like firecrackers,” he said.However, efforts to reach Haider later was not possible due to internet blackout in the region. Over the decades, a sizeable number of Hyderabadis have migrated to Iran for work in sectors such as the dry fruit trade, pharmaceuticals, mining and petrochemicals. Many Indian Shia pilgrims from Hyderabad visit Iran regularly for religious purposes.‘Staying Indoors’Ayesha Fatima (name changed), originally from Banjara Hills and living in Tehran’s Yousef Abad for over 11 years, said the situation changed abruptly.“I was at home when we heard a loud explosion near Sohrevardi. Everything seemed normal moments earlier while nuclear talks were under way. Since then, we have stayed indoors. Unlike in Israel, we do not have bunker facilities in our homes. Schools and offices are closed, and only supermarkets and pharmacies remain open,” she said, adding that they are accessing internet via Starlink.Despite the uncertainty, community members said there is no immediate rush among Hyderabadis to return to India, with most hoping the situation de-escalates soon.
