Srinagar, Mar 03: Following joint strikes by the United States and Israel against Iran, dozens of Indian students were relocated on Tuesday from Tehran to the city of Qom, about 140 km south of the capital, as part of efforts to move them to a relatively safer area amid escalating tensions and airspace closures.
The students, a majority from J&K, were studying at Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences and Iran University of Medical Sciences in Tehran.
Dr Mohammad Momin Khan, national representative of All India Medical Students Association (AIMSA) said the Indian Embassy in Tehran facilitated arrangements to ensure their safety.
“They were shifted in five buses and safely reached Qom. Plans are on to shift other students spread across other places in Iran,” he said and expressed gratitude to embassy authorities for their support.
AIMSA appealed to parents and well-wishers who are concerned for the students at home to remain calm. “We are in contact with the concerned authorities to ensure the safety of every Indian student,” the association said.
The relocation comes at a time when Iranian airspace along with other countries remains closed, making any immediate air evacuation impossible.
Meanwhile, the Jammu and Kashmir Students Association (JKSA) also confirmed that Indian students residing in Tehran were relocated to Qom as a precautionary measure.
National Convenor JKSA Nasir Khuehami said that, since Tehran is among the worst-affected cities, the Embassy of India in Tehran has initiated a structured relocation process in view of security concerns.
Khuehami said the Association has been in direct communication with the students and can confirm that all Indian students in Tehran, including those from Jammu & Kashmir, are safe.
He added that while anxiety among parents remains high due to the volatile environment, the timely relocation has provided a sense of reassurance and relief to families back home
Khuehami said the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and Embassy of India in Tehran are closely monitoring developments and are coordinating arrangements to safeguard Indian nationals.
Further steps, including a possible evacuation, are expected to be undertaken in the coming days, subject to the reopening of airspace and the evolving security situation.
JKSA expressed gratitude to the MEA and the Embassy of India in Tehran for their prompt response, proactive engagement, and continuous communication during this critical period.
Meanwhile, the Embassy of India in Tehran on Tuesday issued an advisory in which it mentioned that due to the heightened risk perception in Tehran city, the Embassy of India has relocated most Indian students who were in Tehran to safer locations outside Tehran.
It said that the Embassy has made arrangements for their transportation, food, and accommodation. The Embassy of India said that only a small number of students who declined the Embassy’s offer remain in Tehran.
“For other Indian students and Indian nationals who remain in Iran, the advisory issued earlier remains unchanged. Stay where you are, remain indoors as far as possible, and stay away from windows,” the advisory said.
The students have been asked to exercise due caution at all times, avoid areas of protests or demonstrations and remain in regular contact with the Embassy of India in Iran.
The advisory has also issued emergency contact helplines of the Embassy of India in Iran, are: Mobile Numbers: +989128109115; +989128109109; +989128109102; +989932179359 and Email: [email protected].
An estimated 9,000 Indian nationals, including nearly 1,000 Kashmiri students, may still be stranded in Iran as escalated bombing leads to heightened fears back home.
