Leave Iran, Keep Documents Ready: India Urges Nationals To Exit Protest-Hit Country As Over 2,500 Killed
The fresh warning comes against the backdrop of heightened tensions in the region. Image courtesy: AI-generated picture via Sora
India on Wednesday (January 14, 2025) issued a strong security advisory urging its nationals currently in Iran to leave the country at the earliest, citing a rapidly evolving and volatile situation marked by widespread protests and rising regional tensions. The advisory was released by the Indian Embassy in Tehran.
With this, the Indian Embassy in Iran also reinforced an earlier warning issued by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on January 5, 2025. Tensions in Iran have been flaring up over the past few weeks putting new pressure on its theocracy as the country faces an economic crisis.
Over 2000 people have been killed during the violent crackdown by security forces on protests.
Travel advisory for Indians in Iran: Who has been asked to leave
According to the advisory, Indian students, pilgrims, businesspersons and tourists presently in Iran are advised to depart using all available means, including commercial flights, as long as services remain operational. “In view of the evolving situation in Iran, Indian nationals… are advised to leave Iran by available means of transport,” the embassy said, underlining concerns over personal safety and uncertainty on the ground.
“It is reitirated that all Indian citizens and PIOs should exercise due caution, avoid areas of protests or demonstrations, stay in contact with the Indian Embassy in Iran and monitor local media for any developments,” the advisory added.
Further advising the nationals to keep their travel and immigration documents, including passports and IDs, readily available, the Embassy has emergency contact helplines – +989128109115; +989128109109; +98128109102; and +989932179359.
Economic collapse in Iran: Protests, death toll mount
The warning comes amid intensifying anti-government protests across Iran, now entering their third week. Reports indicate that more than 2,500 people have been killed in clashes and crackdowns, making the unrest the most severe the Islamic Republic has witnessed in over a decade.
The protests were triggered by severe economic distress, soaring inflation and a historic collapse of Iran’s currency, with the rial plunging to around 1.4 million per US dollar. Years of international sanctions have left Iran’s oil-rich economy fragile, fuelling public anger over rising costs of living and unemployment.
MEA advises vigilance, avoid protests
The Indian Embassy has urged all Indian citizens and Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) remaining in Iran to exercise maximum caution, avoid protest sites and demonstrations, and stay alert to local developments. Nationals have also been asked to keep passports, visas and identity documents readily accessible at all times.
Indians who have not yet registered with the embassy have been strongly urged to do so via the MEA’s online portal. Families in India have also been asked to complete registration on behalf of relatives if internet access inside Iran becomes disrupted.
US threats and Trump’s message add to tensions
The security situation has been further complicated by US warnings of possible military action if Tehran does not scale back its crackdown on protesters.
US President Donald Trump, in a sharp statement on Tuesday (January 13, 2026), urged Iranian protesters to “keep protesting and take over the country’s institutions,” adding that “help is on the way,” remarks that have heightened fears of escalation and foreign intervention.
Worth mentioning here is that India has a sizable number of nationals in Iran, including students, religious pilgrims and traders. With protests intensifying, security forces under strain, and the risk of international confrontation rising, New Delhi’s advisory signals serious concern over the safety of its citizens.
