Amid rising tensions between Iran and Israel, at least 110 Indian students, including 90 from Jammu and Kashmir, have been safely evacuated to Armenia, according to official sources and the J&K Students Association.
Iran is home to over 4,000 Indian nationals, around half of whom are students enrolled in medical and other professional courses, with a significant number hailing from Jammu and Kashmir.
Nasir Khuhami, President of the J&K Students Association, who has been in regular contact with students in Iran, confirmed that most of those evacuated were studying at Urmia Medical University. “Ninety students from Kashmir Valley, along with others from different states, totaling 110, have safely crossed into Armenia,” he said.
Additionally, around 600 other Indian students, predominantly from Kashmir, have reached Qom, another Iranian city. “They left Tehran on Monday morning and will be staying in a hotel for three days, an arrangement made jointly by the university and the Indian Embassy,” Khuhami added.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) issued a statement confirming the movement of students out of Tehran for safety reasons, adding that the Indian Embassy in Iran is continuously in touch with the community to extend all possible assistance.
In view of the ongoing crisis, the MEA has also set up a 24x7 control room with multiple contact points, including WhatsApp and email support, for concerned families and individuals. The Embassy of India in Tehran has established its own round-the-clock helplines across key cities including Bandar Abbas and Zahedan.
Earlier, political leaders from Jammu and Kashmir, including former CM Omar Abdullah and PDP president Mehbooba Mufti, urged the Centre to ensure the safety of Kashmiri students. The J&K Students Association had also written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking immediate intervention.
Kashmiri students traditionally opt for Iranian universities due to their affordable education and shared cultural environment. These students are dispersed across Iranian cities like Tehran, Shiraz, and Qom.
Prominent Shia leader and Peoples Conference General Secretary Imran Reza Ansari also posted an update on social media platform X, saying:
“Spoke to HE Ambassador of Republic of India in Iran, Rudra Gaurav Shresth. He is personally monitoring the situation and ensuring the safety of Indian nationals and students from Jammu and Kashmir. The mission is working on evacuating students in Tehran to safer locations.”
With the evacuation underway, Indian authorities continue to monitor the volatile situation closely while ensuring all feasible support for the students and their families.