India’s Evacuation Flight From Israel Delayed After US Strikes On Iranian Nuclear Sites: Reports

India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) continues its large-scale evacuation exercise, Operation Sindhu, aimed at bringing Indian nationals home from conflict-hit Iran and Israel, as hostilities escalate following US airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities.

On June 22, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal confirmed the arrival of 311 Indian nationals from Mashhad, Iran, in New Delhi, raising the total number of evacuees from Iran to 1,428. However, the evacuation from Israel appears to have been temporarily disrupted, likely due to Israel’s closure of its airspace shortly after the US military strike.

What is the current status of Operation Sindhu?

According to the MEA, Operation Sindhu is still ongoing, with flights continuing to bring back stranded Indians from Iran. The most recent flight from Mashhad landed in New Delhi at 1630 hrs on June 22, carrying 311 citizens, as shown in official photos released by the MEA (see above).

However, while the evacuation from Iran remains active, reports suggest a delay in flights from Israel, which had been scheduled to continue as part of the broader Operation Sindhu. The airspace closure by Israel, following the US bombardment of Iranian nuclear sites on June 22, is widely believed to have caused the disruption.

The MEA has neither confirmed nor denied this, but it also did not issue any official update or photographs from Israel, as it has regularly done for other phases of the operation.

What are some other evacuation operations India carried out in West Asia?

Operation Sindhu is the latest in a long line of complex evacuation missions India has undertaken in the West Asia region. Here’s a comparison with past major efforts:

1990: Kuwait Airlift – Over 170,000 Indians evacuated after Iraq invaded Kuwait. This remains the largest civilian airlift in history, entering the Guinness Book of World Records.

2006: Operation Sukoon (Lebanon) – 2,280 people, including 1,764 Indians, rescued by the Indian Navy during the Israel-Hezbollah conflict.

2011: Operation Safe Homecoming (Libya) – Around 18,000 Indians were evacuated using Air India and Indian Navy ships amid Libya’s civil war.

2015: Operation Raahat (Yemen) – Over 5,600 people, including 960 foreigners, rescued during the Saudi-led bombing campaign in Yemen.

2018: Operation Nistar (Yemen) – 38 Indians stranded on Socotra Island rescued after Cyclone Mekunu by INS Sunayna.

2021: Operation Devi Shakti (Afghanistan) – Over 800 people evacuated following the Taliban takeover of Kabul.

2023: Operation Kaveri (Sudan) – Nearly 4,100 people evacuated during clashes between the Sudanese army and Rapid Support Forces.

2023: Operation Ajay (Israel/Palestine) – Over 1,300 Indians and foreign nationals rescued during the Israel-Hamas conflict.

What lies ahead for Operation Sindhu?

With over 18,000 Indians estimated to be residing in Israel and an uncertain security environment following the US-Israel strikes on Iran, the next phase of Operation Sindhu remains highly dependent on developments in the region.

India’s Ministry of External Affairs has activated 24×7 helplines and stationed consular teams in strategic third countries like Armenia and Turkmenistan to assist with overland evacuations where airspace access is compromised. The success of further evacuation efforts from Israel will hinge on airspace re-opening, security clearances, and coordination with local governments.

For now, Iran evacuations remain steady, and India continues to reaffirm its commitment to safeguarding every Indian abroad—as it has done in every major international crisis in recent history.