A special evacuation flight from Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, landed in New Delhi early on June 21. It is bringing back more Indian nationals from conflict-hit Iran. This brings the total number of Indians evacuated under Operation Sindhu to 517 so far.
The Government of India launched Operation Sindhu to ensure the safe return of Indian citizens as hostilities between Iran and Israel intensified. On Friday night, another flight carrying 290 Indian nationals had already arrived in Delhi.
The Indian Embassy in Tehran, in coordination with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), has been facilitating the movement of Indians from areas affected by escalating tensions to safer zones within Iran. The embassy is also assisting with their evacuation through the safest possible routes and available flight options.
The MEA’s 24×7 Control Room in New Delhi and the Indian Embassy in Tehran remain operational to assist citizens. Emergency contact numbers have been shared for multiple cities in Iran, including Tehran, Bandar Abbas, and Zahedan, as well as WhatsApp helplines and email support.
In a post on X, Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated:
“Operation Sindhu continues. A special evacuation flight from Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, landed in New Delhi at 0300 hrs on 21st June, bringing Indians from Iran home. With this, so far 517 Indian nationals from Iran have returned home under Operation Sindhu.”
Mohammad Ali Qazim, an Indian national evacuated from Mashhad, shared his relief and appreciation after returning home:
“I am coming from Mashhad. It feels very good to return home. We had gone on a religious journey. The situation there is not good, especially in Tehran. The Indian government helped us a lot in crossing the border and bringing us back to India. The UP government is also helping us a lot by taking us back home.”
(Source: ANI)
Helpline (Embassy of India, Tehran):
+98 9128109115, +98 9128109109
WhatsApp: +98 901044557, +98 9015993320, +91 8086871709
Email: cons.tehran@mea.gov.in
MEA 24×7 Control Room (New Delhi):
800118797 (Toll-free), +91-11-23012113, 23014104, 23017905
WhatsApp: +91-9968291988
Email: situationroom@mea.gov.in
Background of the Conflict
The conflict began on June 13, when Israel launched “Operation Rising Lion”, targeting Iranian military and nuclear facilities. In retaliation, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) responded with a large-scale missile and drone attack under “Operation True Promise 3,” targeting Israeli energy facilities and fighter jet fuel production centres.
As the situation remains volatile, the Indian government continues to monitor developments closely and assist Indian citizens stranded in Iran.
