Amid escalating unrest in Iran and growing concern for the safety of foreign nationals, AIMIM president and Member of Parliament Asaduddin Owaisi has appealed to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar to urgently intervene in the case of an Indian student stranded in Tehran. The appeal comes shortly after the Indian Embassy in Iran issued a strong “leave now” advisory, urging all Indian citizens in the country to depart at the earliest using available means of transport.

The student at the centre of Owaisi’s appeal is Ayman Fatima, a resident of Noorkhan Bazar in Hyderabad’s Darulshifa area in Telangana. Fatima is pursuing her medical studies at the Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences in Tehran. According to her family, she has been unable to leave the country due to the deteriorating security situation and logistical hurdles, including the fact that her passport is currently held by university authorities.

Owaisi raised the issue publicly on Wednesday, seeking immediate attention from the external affairs minister. In a post on social media platform X, he urged Jaishankar to act swiftly to ensure the student’s safe evacuation from Iran. “Sir @DrSJaishankar, I request your urgent attention to evacuate this Indian student (Ayman Fatima) stranded in Tehran, Iran,” Owaisi wrote. Highlighting the seriousness of the situation, he added that Fatima’s family has had no contact with her and that her passport remains with the university.

The AIMIM chief also noted that Fatima’s father is currently in the United Arab Emirates and has been desperately seeking help for his daughter’s return. A day earlier, he had formally requested assistance from Owaisi, External Affairs Minister Jaishankar and Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, citing the worsening law-and-order situation in Iran and his inability to communicate reliably with his daughter.

The appeal has drawn renewed attention to the plight of Indian nationals in Iran at a time when the country has been witnessing widespread protests and violence for nearly two weeks. Demonstrations across several Iranian cities have reportedly intensified, prompting concerns over public safety, disruptions to transport services and the overall security environment, particularly in urban centres such as Tehran.

Responding to the evolving situation, the Indian Embassy in Tehran on Wednesday issued a fresh advisory for Indian citizens, reiterating its earlier warning issued on January 5, 2026. In the advisory, the embassy urged all Indian nationals — including students, pilgrims, businesspersons and tourists — to leave Iran by available means, including commercial flights, as soon as possible.

“As a continuation to our earlier advisory dated January 5, 2026, all Indian nationals are advised to leave Iran by available means of transport, including commercial flights,” the embassy stated. Emphasising caution, it urged Indian citizens and Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) to avoid areas affected by protests or demonstrations and to remain vigilant in monitoring local developments.

“It is reiterated 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 embassy said in its post on X. It also advised nationals to keep essential travel and immigration documents, including passports and identity papers, readily accessible at all times.

In a further appeal, the embassy requested Indians facing difficulties to reach out directly for assistance. “They are requested to contact the Indian Embassy for any assistance in this regard,” the statement added, signalling that emergency support mechanisms are in place for those seeking help.

According to official estimates, more than 10,000 Indian nationals are currently residing in Iran. This population includes students enrolled in Iranian universities, religious pilgrims, professionals engaged in business or trade, and other long-term residents. A significant number of Indian students pursue medical and religious studies in Iran, making the current unrest particularly concerning for families back home.

Cases like that of Ayman Fatima underscore the complexities involved in evacuating students, many of whom are dependent on their institutions for documentation and local support. The issue of passports being held by universities, a common administrative practice in some countries, has emerged as a major obstacle for swift departures during emergencies.

Owaisi’s intervention reflects growing political pressure on the government to ensure the safety of Indian citizens abroad, especially in conflict-prone regions. Over the years, the Ministry of External Affairs has conducted large-scale evacuation operations during crises, including in Ukraine, Sudan and Afghanistan. However, each situation presents unique challenges depending on local conditions, diplomatic constraints and the availability of transport.

While there has been no immediate official response to Owaisi’s appeal at the time of reporting, the matter is expected to be taken up by the ministry through diplomatic channels, particularly in coordination with the Indian Embassy in Tehran and Iranian authorities. In similar cases in the past, the Indian government has intervened to secure travel documents, facilitate exit permissions and arrange safe passage for stranded nationals.

The unfolding situation in Iran has also raised broader concerns about regional stability and its implications for foreign communities. With protests continuing and uncertainty over how long the unrest will last, Indian authorities are likely to intensify their efforts to encourage citizens to leave while commercial options remain available.

For families like that of Ayman Fatima, the wait has been marked by anxiety and fear. Her father’s appeal to political leaders and senior officials reflects the desperation of parents watching events unfold from afar, with limited information about their children’s safety.

As the situation develops, attention will remain focused on how quickly and effectively individual cases are addressed, and whether a larger evacuation effort becomes necessary. For now, Owaisi’s appeal has put a spotlight on one student’s predicament — and on the broader challenge of protecting Indian citizens amid growing instability in the region.