Amid escalating tensions in the Middle East, the Indian government has been actively working to ensure the safe return of its citizens stranded in Iran. As of today, June 21, 2025, over 827 Indian nationals have been successfully evacuated from Iran under "Operation Sindhu," a repatriation mission launched in response to the ongoing conflict between Iran and Israel. However, approximately 800 more Indians are seeking evacuation, and the Indian government is making every effort to bring them home safely.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has been closely monitoring the security situation in Iran and coordinating with Iranian authorities to facilitate the evacuation process. The operation involves special charter flights from Iranian cities, primarily Mashhad, to New Delhi. The first of these flights arrived in Delhi earlier this week, bringing much-needed relief to the families of those stranded.

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal has been providing regular updates on the progress of Operation Sindhu through social media platform X. He announced the arrival of multiple evacuation flights, each carrying hundreds of Indian nationals, including students and religious pilgrims. The evacuated citizens have been greeted with patriotic chants and emotional reunions at the Delhi airport.

The Indian Embassy in Tehran has played a crucial role in coordinating the evacuation efforts, ensuring the safe passage and welfare of Indian nationals. In a special gesture, the Iranian government has eased airspace restrictions to allow the evacuation flights to operate smoothly. This cooperation has been invaluable in expediting the repatriation process.

The majority of those evacuated are students from various Iranian universities, particularly those located in Tehran and other conflict-affected areas. With the escalation of hostilities, many students were moved to safer zones within Iran before being flown back to India. The families of these students have expressed their gratitude to the Indian government for its swift action and timely coordination with Iranian authorities.

In addition to Indian citizens, the Indian government has also extended its evacuation efforts to include citizens of Nepal and Sri Lanka, following requests from their respective governments. This reflects India's commitment to regional cooperation and its willingness to assist neighboring countries in times of crisis.

While Operation Sindhu has made significant progress in bringing back Indian nationals from Iran, the evacuation efforts are still ongoing. Approximately 800 more Indians have registered with the Indian Embassy in Tehran, seeking assistance to return home. The Indian government is committed to evacuating all its citizens who wish to return, and further evacuation flights are being planned in the coming days. The safe return of these remaining individuals remains the top priority.