New Delhi erupted into diplomatic action late Wednesday as External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar engaged in a critical phone conversation with his Iranian counterpart, Seyed Abbas Araghchi. The discussion centered on the rapidly deteriorating situation in Iran and its surrounding regions, amid escalating unrest that has gripped the nation.
Jaishankar shared details of the call on social media platform X, noting, ‘Had a call with Iran’s Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi. We discussed the emerging situation in and around Iran.’ This exchange comes at a pivotal moment, as India has ramped up its response to the crisis by issuing a fresh travel advisory for its citizens.
The government’s latest directive is unequivocal: ‘In view of the ongoing situation in Iran, all Indian nationals are strongly advised to avoid all travel to the Islamic Republic of Iran until further notice.’ This follows an earlier advisory on January 5, urging citizens to steer clear of non-essential trips.
Indian nationals already in Iran, including those of Indian origin, have been instructed to exercise utmost caution. The advisory emphasizes staying away from protest sites, monitoring local developments closely, and regularly checking updates from the Indian Embassy in Tehran via its website and social media channels. Residents on visas are also urged to register with the embassy if they haven’t already.
The backdrop to these measures is a wave of violent protests sweeping multiple Iranian cities, resulting in reported fatalities and heightening regional tensions. The unrest has not only destabilized Iran internally but also sent ripples across the Middle East.
Echoing India’s concerns, the United States has issued a stark warning to its citizens: ‘Depart Iran immediately.’ Washington advises using routes through Armenia or Turkey for evacuation, citing intensifying demonstrations that could turn violent, leading to arrests, injuries, heightened security measures, road closures, transport disruptions, and internet blackouts.
A security alert from the U.S. Virtual Embassy in Iran highlights that protests are surging nationwide, with several airlines curtailing or canceling flights—some suspended until January 16. As Iran’s crisis deepens, nations like India are prioritizing citizen safety with heightened vigilance and proactive advisories, signaling a broader international call for caution in the volatile region.