NEW DELHI: As widespread protests continue across Iran for more than two weeks, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Friday said that it is closely monitoring the situation and is taking all necessary steps to ensure the safety and well-being of around 9,000 Indian nationals currently residing in the country. The government has also urged Indians to avoid travel to Iran and advised those already there to leave at the earliest by available means.

Addressing the MEA’s weekly media briefing, spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the majority of Indian citizens in Iran are students and reiterated that their safety remains a top priority for New Delhi.

“Approximately 9,000 of our citizens are currently residing in Iran. The majority of them are students,” Jaiswal said. “We are keeping a close watch on the situation there, and as far as our citizens are concerned, we are committed to doing whatever is necessary for their well-being.”

The MEA’s remarks come amid escalating tensions in Iran, where protests have spread across several cities, triggering concerns about internal security and the safety of foreign nationals. In response to the deteriorating situation, India has issued multiple advisories over the past few days.

Jaiswal said the ministry has released two to three advisories recently, clearly cautioning Indian citizens against travelling to Iran at this time. Those already in the country have been advised to leave as soon as possible using whatever commercial or other means are available.

“We have advised Indian citizens not to travel to Iran, and those residing there have been asked to leave the country by whatever means available,” he said, adding that the Indian missions in the region are in touch with the community and providing necessary assistance.

The situation in Iran has also drawn international attention. US President Donald Trump earlier issued a warning of possible military intervention if Iranian security forces continued to use lethal force against protesters. In a statement that further heightened global concern, Trump publicly encouraged Iranian protesters, saying that “help is on the way.”

Against this backdrop, India has also stepped up diplomatic engagement with Tehran. Jaiswal confirmed that external affairs minister S Jaishankar spoke to his Iranian counterpart, Abbas Araghchi, earlier this week to discuss the evolving situation.

“The external affairs minister had a conversation with the Iranian foreign minister on Wednesday. They exchanged views on developments in and around Iran over the recent past,” Jaiswal said.

Jaishankar himself acknowledged the conversation in a post on X, stating that he had received a call from Iranian foreign minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi and that the two leaders discussed the unfolding situation in the country.

The conversation took place just hours after India formally urged its nationals in Iran to leave the country amid rising tensions, underscoring New Delhi’s growing concern over the safety environment.

Officials said India is maintaining regular contact with Iranian authorities as well as monitoring developments on the ground to assess whether further measures, including evacuation support, may be required. While no formal evacuation operation has been announced so far, the MEA has indicated that it is prepared to act swiftly if the situation worsens.

India has significant people-to-people ties with Iran, particularly in the education sector, with thousands of Indian students enrolled in medical and religious institutions across cities such as Qom and Tehran. The MEA said Indian missions are actively engaging with community representatives to disseminate advisories and assist those seeking to return.

“We are in constant touch with our nationals there and with our embassy,” Jaiswal said, reiterating that the government’s focus remains firmly on the safety and well-being of Indian citizens.

As protests continue and uncertainty prevails in Iran, the MEA has urged Indians to remain vigilant, follow local advisories, and stay in close contact with Indian diplomatic missions for updates and assistance.