Fifteen fishermen from Tamil Nadu who were stranded in Iran due to regional conflict have safely returned to Chennai. The Tamil Nadu BJP President, Nainar Nagendran, greeted them at the Chennai airport. Nagendran explained that the fishermen, who hail from coastal villages in Sivagangai and Uvari, had traveled to Iran for deep-sea fishing. However, they were unable to continue working due to rising conflict in the region and expressed their desire to return home.

Nainar Nagendran contacted the Minister of External Affairs upon receiving information about the fishermen's situation. Emergency food supplies were arranged for the stranded fishermen on one of the islands. Since direct flights from Iran were not feasible, the fishermen were transported to Dubai by ship and then flown to Delhi before finally reaching Chennai. Nagendran expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Ministry of External Affairs for facilitating the rescue and stated that the Tamil Nadu BJP funded the entire operation.

Ajith, a fisherman from Uvari, thanked the BJP for bringing them back, stating that they struggled even for food due to war tensions. Anto, another fisherman, said they went to Iran in February, but the situation became tense, preventing them from fishing for two months. He added that they informed the BJP leadership, who arranged for their food and shelter. Anto also noted that Tamil Nadu government officials did not reach out to them and that while his group of 15 is back, another group on a different island is still stranded. Mani from Tirunelveli shared that the war zone was intense.

Nainar Nagendran had previously expressed optimism about the safe return of 49 fishermen from Tamil Nadu stranded in Iran amid heightened tensions. He wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, requesting urgent intervention to ensure the repatriation of fishermen stranded in Bandar-e-Chiruiyeh and Kish Island in Iran. The letter included the passport details of all affected individuals.

The Tamil Nadu BJP credited its communication with senior officials of the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) for the ongoing efforts. Nagendran also directed BJP functionaries in neighboring coastal districts and his office staff to remain vigilant and closely monitor the evolving situation, reassuring the affected families that every possible measure was being taken to ensure the fishermen's safe and timely return. According to party sources, most of the stranded fishermen hail from Nagapattinam, Ramanathapuram, and Cuddalore districts.