The Indian government is actively working to locate three Indian citizens who have gone missing in Iran. The Indian Embassy in Tehran has confirmed the disappearances and is in close contact with Iranian authorities, urging them to urgently trace the missing individuals and ensure their safety.
The families of the three missing men have approached the embassy with their concerns, prompting immediate action. The embassy has released a statement emphasizing that the matter has been strongly taken up with Iranian authorities, with a formal request for a thorough investigation into their whereabouts. While the identities of the missing individuals have not been officially disclosed, it's been reported that the missing individuals are Yogesh Panchal, Mohammad Sadeeque, and Sumeet Sud, who traveled to Iran for business purposes between December 2024 and January 2025.
According to reports, Yogesh Panchal, 33, arrived in Tehran on December 5th, but lost contact with his family two days later. He had recently started an export business dealing in dry fruits and apples and was in Iran to explore business opportunities. Mohammad Sadeeque also traveled to Iran in December, while Sumeet Sud entered the country in January. It's believed that Yogesh Panchal and Sadeeque entered Iran under the country's 15-day visa waiver program, designed to promote tourism and business exchanges. The three men were last known to be in the Baherestan area of Tehran, but contact was lost shortly after their arrival.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has also been actively involved, raising the issue with the Iranian Embassy in Delhi and the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Tehran. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated that the Indian Embassy in Tehran is in constant communication with local officials to ensure the safety of the missing citizens.
The families of the missing men are understandably worried, with some fearing possible detention by Iranian security forces. The Indian government has assured them that all possible efforts are being made to locate their loved ones and that they are being kept informed of all developments.
Past cases have shown that Indian nationals have been detained in Iran, often as crew members aboard foreign vessels held in Iranian waters. This history adds to the concerns surrounding the disappearance of these three men. The Indian government's proactive engagement and close coordination with Iranian authorities reflect the seriousness with which they are treating this situation. The focus remains on ensuring the safe return of the missing Indian citizens to their families.