In a major development amid the ongoing conflict between Iran and Israel, Iran has temporarily reopened its closed airspace to facilitate the evacuation of Indian nationals. The decision comes as a humanitarian gesture following diplomatic efforts by the Indian government. As per official reports, nearly 1,000 Indian citizens, including students and workers stranded in different regions of Iran, will return to India on Friday night via special chartered flights.
The evacuation is being executed under Operation Sindhu, an ongoing mission spearheaded by the Ministry of External Affairs to ensure the safe return of Indian citizens caught in cross-border crises. Mahan Air, a prominent Iranian airline, is operating these special flights from Mashhad to New Delhi, with the first batch scheduled to land late tonight. This comes after earlier batches of students were escorted overland through Armenia and flown home safely in previous days.
The Indian Embassy in Tehran has been working round-the-clock in coordination with Iranian authorities to identify, assist, and mobilize stranded citizens. The return of 1,000 Indians marks one of the largest evacuation waves since the crisis escalated. Meanwhile, Indian officials confirmed that Iran made a special exception to its ongoing no-fly zone to allow these humanitarian flights.
While today's arrival marks a significant milestone, authorities have hinted at further evacuation flights in the coming days. India’s Ministry of External Affairs has established emergency helplines and set up a 24/7 control room to aid in coordination. Officials also warned that thousands of Indians still remain in various parts of Iran, particularly in academic hubs like Urmia, Isfahan, and Tehran.
Families of returnees are expected to gather at Delhi International Airport late Friday night, where special immigration and medical desks are in place to process and support the evacuees. As geopolitical tensions continue to rise in the Middle East, India’s swift diplomatic and logistical action reflects its deepening focus on citizen safety abroad.
