Amid escalating tensions between Israel and Iran, nine medical students from Karnataka studying in Tehran are seeking urgent evacuation. The students, enrolled at Shahid Beheshti Medical University, have appealed to the Indian government for assistance as missile and drone strikes between the two nations intensify, causing significant anxiety and fear for their safety.
Nadeem Hussain, one of the students, along with his parents in Bengaluru, contacted the Non-Resident Indian (NRI) Forum Karnataka, a government body, to express their distress. They requested immediate assistance to facilitate their return home. Dr. Aarti Krishna, Vice Chairperson of the NRI Forum Karnataka, responded by writing to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), urging swift intervention to ensure the students' safe return. The NRI Forum has stated that they are closely monitoring the situation, maintaining constant communication with concerned officials, and tracking the students' location and safety through regular phone contact.
The Indian Embassy in Tehran, in coordination with Iranian authorities, has begun relocating Indian students to safer locations. Due to the closure of Iranian airspace, air evacuation is currently not feasible. However, a maritime evacuation plan via Bandar Abbas is under consideration. Indian authorities are also exploring overland routes through Iran's borders with Azerbaijan, Armenia, and potentially Afghanistan, as alternative options for evacuation. The Embassy has circulated a Google form to collect details of Indian citizens in Iran to aid in evacuation preparedness.
The situation has caused considerable panic among the students and their families. Reports indicate that people in Tehran are leaving the city fearing further escalation. Indian students are being evacuated from three major universities in Tehran – Shahid Beheshti University, University of Tehran, and Iran University of Medical Sciences – and transported to Qom, approximately 148 km away. Students have reported heavy traffic congestion as many attempt to leave Tehran.
Speaking to news sources, students have described sleepless nights filled with the sounds of explosions and constant anxiety. They emphasize that their priority is to save their lives and return home safely. Some students have reported hearing that students from the University of Tehran sustained minor injuries, but are safe and being evacuated with their peers.
Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel, H.D. Kumaraswamy, held a video call with Kannadigas stranded in Israel, assuring them of the Indian government's support.
The Karnataka government has formally requested the MEA to expedite the safe return of the stranded students, stating that they are in constant contact with relevant officials and are taking necessary actions based on the evolving situation.
Approximately 2,500 Indian students are estimated to be in Iran, with a significant number also in Israel. The MEA has activated advisories and is closely monitoring the situation to ensure the safety and well-being of all Indian citizens in the region.
