Indian authorities have begun preparing contingency plans to evacuate Indian nationals from Iran as the security situation in the country remains volatile amid widespread protests, fears of possible US military intervention, and growing international pressure on Tehran. Officials familiar with the matter said on Thursday that while no formal evacuation has yet been announced, preparatory steps are underway to ensure a swift response if conditions deteriorate further.

At the centre of these efforts is the Indian embassy in Tehran, which is currently focused on assessing how many Indian citizens wish to return home. This task, however, has been significantly complicated by an internet shutdown imposed by Iranian authorities, which has disrupted digital communication and made it difficult to contact Indians spread across the country.

Around 10,000 Indians in Iran, Students a Key Focus

There are an estimated 10,000 Indian nationals currently in Iran, including a substantial number of students enrolled in medical and other professional courses at Iranian universities. Officials said that students are likely to be the primary focus of any evacuation exercise, given their numbers and the challenges they may face in an unstable security environment.

While discussions are ongoing, it remains unclear when the first repatriation flight could be operated. Any evacuation will depend on multiple factors, including the availability of airspace clearance, aircraft readiness, and a clearer picture of how many Indians want to return. The temporary closure of Iranian airspace late on Wednesday has added to the uncertainty, forcing several international airlines to cancel, reroute, or delay flights.

“The external affairs ministry is making preparations to facilitate the return of Indian nationals who wish to travel back home,” one official said. “This is dependent on a number of factors, including securing clearance for airspace, arranging aircraft, and ascertaining the numbers of students, which is currently a problem because of the internet shutdown.”

Embassy Reaching Out Physically Amid Internet Shutdown

With internet services largely suspended and telephone connectivity unreliable in many areas, Indian officials in Iran are relying heavily on physical outreach to connect with citizens. Embassy staff are visiting locations with sizeable Indian populations and coordinating with educational institutions to identify students who may want to leave.

Officials in New Delhi are also in touch with colleges and universities in Iran that host Indian students, seeking information on enrolment numbers and the immediate needs of those on campus. This ground-level approach, while time-consuming, is seen as essential under the current communication constraints.

Despite the unrest of recent weeks, officials said a semblance of normalcy has returned to Tehran and several other cities that witnessed large protests since late December. Nevertheless, the situation remains fluid, prompting India to keep evacuation options open.

Protests, Crackdown, and International Alarm

Iran has been gripped by nationwide protests triggered by economic hardship, inflation, and broader political grievances. Reports have suggested that more than 3,000 people may have been killed in the crackdown by Iranian security forces, making it one of the deadliest episodes of civil unrest in the country’s recent history. Iranian authorities have not confirmed these figures.

The situation has drawn sharp international scrutiny, particularly from the United States. US President Donald Trump has repeatedly warned Iran against killing or executing protesters, threatening “very strong action” if such measures were taken.

On Wednesday, Trump said he had been informed that the killings of protesters had been halted. “We are going to watch it and see,” he said, stopping short of ruling out military action. He claimed that the information had come from “very important sources on the other side.”

Reuters reported that four Arab states engaged in intense diplomatic efforts this week with both Washington and Tehran to prevent a potential US military strike on Iran, underscoring the regional and global stakes involved.

Iran Assures No Executions, US Imposes Fresh Sanctions

In an apparent attempt to defuse tensions, Iranian foreign minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said on Wednesday that there was no plan to execute protesters. “There is no plan for hanging at all. Hanging is out of the question,” Araghchi told Fox News in an interview on the “Special Report with Bret Baier” programme.

However, despite these assurances, the US pressed ahead with punitive measures. On Thursday evening, the US Treasury Department announced sanctions on five Iranian officials accused of orchestrating the crackdown on protests. Those sanctioned included the secretary of Iran’s Supreme Council for National Security, as well as senior commanders of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and law enforcement forces.

The US also imposed sanctions on Fardis prison, alleging that women detainees there had endured “cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment.”

In a strongly worded video message, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent accused Iranian leaders of siphoning off funds abroad amid the unrest. “The US Treasury knows that like rats on a sinking ship, you are frantically wiring funds stolen from Iranian families to banks and financial institutions around the world,” he said. “Rest assured, we will track them.”

Bessent added that there was still time for Iran’s leadership to change course. “Stop the violence and stand with the people of Iran,” he said, echoing Trump’s earlier warnings.

Airspace Closure Raises Alarm

Adding to the sense of uncertainty, Iran temporarily closed its airspace to most flights late on Wednesday. The move triggered disruptions to international aviation, with several airlines cancelling or rerouting flights. The closure heightened concerns about a possible escalation, including military action, though Iranian authorities did not offer a detailed explanation.

For India, the airspace shutdown is a critical variable in any evacuation plan. Officials said the external affairs ministry has well-established standard operating procedures for evacuations, including the deployment of military aircraft if necessary. Such operations, however, require coordination with host governments and assurances of safe passage.

Advisories Issued to Indians

Earlier this week, the Indian embassy in Tehran issued an advisory urging Indian students, businesspeople, pilgrims, and tourists to leave Iran by available means of transport, including commercial flights, in view of the mounting regional tensions.

The external affairs ministry in New Delhi followed up with a separate advisory strongly advising Indian citizens to avoid travel to Iran until further notice. These advisories reflect India’s cautious approach as it balances the safety of its nationals with the practical challenges of large-scale evacuation.

Diplomatic Engagement Continues

Even as preparations for a possible evacuation continue, diplomatic engagement remains active. Iranian foreign minister Araghchi spoke to India’s external affairs minister S Jaishankar on Wednesday night to discuss the evolving regional situation. During the call, Araghchi also explained his decision to cancel a planned visit to New Delhi that was scheduled to begin on Thursday.

India has traditionally maintained close ties with Iran, particularly in areas such as energy cooperation and regional connectivity. However, New Delhi is also under increasing pressure following Trump’s move to impose a 25% tariff on countries trading with Iran, complicating India’s diplomatic and economic calculations.

Watching, Waiting, Preparing

For now, Indian officials stress that the situation is being monitored closely and that evacuation plans are precautionary rather than imminent. Much will depend on how the internal situation in Iran evolves in the coming days, the durability of Tehran’s assurances, and the actions taken by the United States.

As uncertainty persists, India’s priority remains clear: ensuring the safety of its citizens while navigating a rapidly shifting geopolitical landscape marked by protests, sanctions, and the looming threat of escalation.