India Urges Citizens to Leave Iran Amid Rising Unrest, US Tensions
TEHRAN, Iran (AP) – India’s embassy in Tehran issued an advisory Monday urging all Indian nationals – students, pilgrims, businesspeople, and tourists – to depart Iran “by available means of transport,” including commercial flights. The move comes as protests escalate across the country and tensions with the United States increase.
The advisory, released February 23, 2026, stresses the importance of having travel and immigration documents readily available and encourages those remaining to contact the embassy for assistance. It reiterates previous guidance from both the Ministry of External Affairs and the embassy itself, issued in January, which advised against non-essential travel to Iran.
Recent demonstrations have erupted at Iranian universities, including clashes near the Department of Aerospace Engineering at Sharif University in Tehran, according to verified images circulating on social media. These protests follow a period of unrest and coincide with a growing U.S. military presence in the region as negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program resume.
Iran has stated it would retaliate against U.S. interests in West Asia should it be attacked, while simultaneously expressing hope for a diplomatic resolution. Talks between Iranian and U.S. negotiators are scheduled to resume Thursday, February 26, 2026.
The Indian embassy’s advisory also urges all Indian citizens and people of Indian origin to exercise caution, avoid protest areas, stay informed through local media, and remain in contact with the embassy.
Emergency contact numbers for the Indian Embassy in Tehran are: +989128109115; +989128109109; +989128109102; +989932179359. The embassy can also be reached via email at [email protected].
Sharif University of Technology, established in 1966, has been a focal point of the recent unrest. The university aims to provide specialized personnel with high scientific training, according to its website.
(This report contains information from The Hindu and agencies.)