MEA Making Contingency Plans To Evacuate Indians From Iran

New Delhi: India is making preparations to evacuate Indians from Iran as the US has not ruled out any military action against Tehran over its crackdown on nationwide protests. India on Wednesday asked all its citizens residing in Iran to leave by available means and avoid any travel to the country.

Considering the evolving situation in Iran, the Ministry of External Affairs is making preparations to facilitate the return of Indian citizens wishing to return to India, official sources said on Thursday.

It is learned that the government is also exploring the option of bringing back the Indians using civilian and military transport aircraft as well.

According to estimates, just over 10,000 Indians, including students, currently live in Iran.

The Indian embassy in Tehran on Wednesday appealed to all Indian citizens, including students, pilgrims, businessmen and tourists, to leave Iran by available means of transport.

The delegation also urged all Indian citizens and PIOs (Persons of Indian Origin) to take necessary precautions, avoid areas of protest or demonstration and stay in touch with the embassy.

US President Donald Trump has not ruled out any American military intervention in Iran.

“If they hang them, you’re going to see some things… If they do something like that, we’re going to take very strong action,” the president told CBS News on Wednesday.

“Help is on the way,” Trump said in a message to protesters on Tuesday.

The US president had previously announced that he would impose a 25 percent customs duty on countries trading with Tehran.

The protests began in Tehran late last month after the Iranian currency, the rial, fell to record levels. The protests have since spread to all 31 provinces and have evolved from an agitation against economic woes to a demand for political change.

According to reports, more than 2,500 people have died in nationwide protests in Iran so far.