Scenes of anxiety turning into relief unfolded late Friday night at Indira Gandhi International Airport as several Indian nationals arrived safely from Iran, following repeated government advisories urging citizens to leave amid escalating unrest and a volatile security environment. For families waiting at the terminal, the arrivals brought an end to days of uncertainty, fear and disrupted communication.
The return of these nationals followed advisories issued by the Ministry of External Affairs and the Indian Embassy in Tehran, which asked Indians living in or visiting Iran, including students, pilgrims, businesspersons and tourists, to exit the country using available commercial transport. The government said it was closely monitoring developments and remained committed to taking all necessary steps to ensure the safety and well-being of its citizens.
Those who returned described rapidly worsening conditions on the ground, marked by widespread protests, movement restrictions and prolonged communication blackouts. One returnee said the situation had become extremely difficult, adding that the Government of India and the embassy provided timely information on how to leave Iran as early as possible, which helped many make their way back safely.
Another Indian national recounted that while he had been in Iran for about a month, serious problems surfaced only in the final one or two weeks. He described protesters stopping vehicles and creating trouble on the streets, while the shutdown of internet services prevented people from contacting their families or even reaching the embassy, significantly increasing anxiety among those stranded.
A returnee from Jammu and Kashmir recalled that the protests had turned dangerous and unpredictable. He credited the Indian government for making strong efforts to bring students and other nationals back safely despite the challenging conditions.
Outside the arrival gates, families waited anxiously, many after days of no contact with their loved ones due to internet shutdowns. One man waiting for his wife’s aunt, who had travelled to Iran on pilgrimage, said the family drew confidence from the Indian government’s response and expressed happiness and relief at her safe return.
Another relative, awaiting his sister-in-law, described the situation in Iran as war-like, saying the family was deeply worried because there was no way to contact her for days. He thanked the Government of India for arranging her return during such difficult circumstances. A separate family member said his mother and aunt were returning after nearly three days of silence, a period marked by constant concern.
In its advisory, the Indian Embassy in Tehran cited the evolving situation in Iran and urged Indian nationals to leave through commercial flights or any other available means. At the same time, the Ministry of External Affairs strongly advised Indians in India to avoid travel to Iran until further notice, reiterating an earlier advisory that asked those already there to remain cautious and stay away from protests and demonstrations.
The unrest in Iran began on December 28 at Tehran’s Grand Bazaar after the Iranian rial fell to record lows and later spread across the country. The protests have been driven by deepening economic distress, including water shortages, power outages, rising unemployment and surging inflation, which together have intensified public anger.
With more Indians expected to return in the coming days, officials said coordination between New Delhi and the Indian Embassy in Tehran remains ongoing as authorities continue to assess the rapidly changing situation and facilitate the safe return of nationals wherever possible.
