Israel-Iran Conflict Escalates as India Moves to Ensure Safety of Students in Iran

By siliconindia  |  Monday, 16 June 2025, 10:18:16 AM IST

Israel-Iran Conflict Escalates as India Moves to Ensure Safety of Students in Iran
  • Israel and Iran engage in a heavy missile exchange, marking their most severe conflict yet, with civilian areas targeted and casualties reported.
  • Over 1,500 Indian students stranded in Iran, primarily in cities like Tehran and Qom, are being relocated to safer zones amid growing safety concerns.
  • The Indian Embassy in Tehran is actively monitoring the situation, coordinating relocations, and exploring evacuation plans to ensure the safety of its nationals.
In a dramatic escalation of hostilities, Iran launched a fresh barrage of missiles toward Israel on Sunday, triggering air raid sirens in major cities including Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. The Israeli army confirmed the attack, stating, 'Iran missiles incoming, sirens heard in Jerusalem', as videos surfaced showing Israeli skies lit up with missile trails, many intercepted by Israel’s sophisticated air defense system.
Israel responded swiftly with retaliatory air strikes targeting Iranian sites, prompting Iran to activate its own air defense systems, particularly in the southwestern region. According to local media, the Israeli military claimed several of its sites were hit, while visuals from Haifa showed a massive blaze following the Iranian missile strike. Reports from RT International indicated at least four people were injured in the attack.
The exchange marks a dangerous peak in the long-standing enmity between the two nations, resulting in numerous civilian casualties and raising alarms of a wider regional conflict. The confrontation, termed as one of the most intense between Israel and Iran in recent history, began with Israel’s surprise offensive on Friday under 'Operation Rising Lion', which targeted and reportedly eliminated top Iranian military leaders and inflicted damage on Iran’s nuclear facilities.
In the midst of these developments, the Indian government has swung into action to safeguard its citizens in Iran, particularly the more than 1,500 Indian students most of them from Jammu and Kashmir who are currently studying in various Iranian cities including Tehran, Shiraz, and Qom. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) issued a statement early Monday, confirming that some students were being moved to safer locations with the help of the Indian Embassy in Tehran. It also stated that 'other feasible options' for ensuring their safety are being explored.
“The Indian Embassy in Tehran is continuously monitoring the security situation and engaging Indian students in Iran to ensure their safety. In some cases, students are being relocated with the Embassy's facilitation to safer places within Iran”, the MEA stated.
This assurance came after Jammu and Kashmir’s Former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah reached out to External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, urging immediate intervention for the safe return of the stranded students. Parents back in India have also made fervent appeals to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Jaishankar to act swiftly.
The Indian Embassy has issued advisories urging all Indian nationals and Persons of Indian Origin in Iran to remain vigilant and avoid panic. The mission has also provided a Google form and Telegram link on its official X (formerly Twitter) handle to help collect information and provide timely updates.
While Israel has warned of continued escalation in the coming days, Iran has promised severe retaliation, declaring it would 'open the gates of hell' if provoked further.
With both nations showing no signs of de-escalation, the global community watches with apprehension as tensions in the Middle East threaten to spiral into a broader conflict one with significant humanitarian and geopolitical consequences.

ON THE DECK

Top Banner