The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has issued a travel advisory urging Indian citizens to avoid non-essential travel to Iran due to ongoing violent protests in the country. The advisory comes in light of recent developments that have raised safety concerns for foreign nationals.
Guidelines for Indians Already in Iran
Indian nationals and Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) currently in Iran are advised to exercise caution, stay away from areas of protests or demonstrations, and closely follow updates from local authorities and news outlets, said the MEA. The MEA also recommends monitoring the official website and social media channels of the Indian Embassy in Tehran for timely information.
Indians residing in Iran on resident visas are advised to register with the Indian Embassy if they have not done so already. The move aims to ensure that the embassy can provide assistance and keep track of Indian citizens in the country in case of emergencies.
“In view of recent developments, Indian nationals are advised to avoid non-essential travel to the Islamic Republic of Iran until further notice. Indian citizens and PIOs currently in Iran should exercise due caution, avoid areas of protests or demonstrations, and closely monitor news as well as the website and social media handles of the Embassy of India in Tehran. Indian nationals living in Iran on resident-visas are advised to register with the Indian Embassy, if not already done so,” the MEA stated.
Here's everything you need to know about protest in Iran
1. Videos and photos of the protests have gone viral on social media, in which shots getting fired could be heard as protesters shouted "Shameless! Shameless!"
2. The protests have slowed down in Iran's capital Tehran; though they have spread to other parts of the country. The most-intense violence, according to reports, have taken place in Azna, which is 300 km from Tehran.
3. Experts say that this is the biggest protest in Iran since 2022, when a massive agitation was launched following the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in police custody.
4. According to IRNA, Iran's state-run news agency, a 21-year-old volunteer in the Iran's Revolutionary Guard was also killed in the violence. Though it did not provide much information, the IRNA said that the volunteer was in Guard's Basij force.
5. The Guard member “was martyred... at the hands of rioters during protests in this city in defense of public order,” said Saeed Pourali, a deputy governor in Lorestan province. "Another 13 Basij members and police officers suffered injuries."
6. Iranian officials have blamed the protesters for the violence. They say that the voice of the protesters must be heard but violence cannot be answer to it.
7. "The protests that have occurred are due to economic pressures, inflation and currency fluctuations, and are an expression of livelihood concerns. The voices of citizens must be heard carefully and tactfully, but people must not allow their demands to be strained by profit-seeking individuals," said Pourali.
8. The protests, meanwhile, are taking at a time when Iran is still reeling following strikes by Israel and the US. The US also bombed Iran's nuclear sites.
9. Iran has said it is no longer enriching uranium at any site in the country, trying to signal to the West that it remains open to potential negotiations over its atomic program to ease sanctions. However, those talks have yet to happen as US.
10. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have warned Tehran against reconstituting its atomic program.
