New Delhi, March 12 There are nearly 9,000 Indian nationals, including students, business people, factory workers, pilgrims, seafarers, and fishermen, currently in Iran, the government informed Parliament on Thursday.
In a written response to a query in the Rajya Sabha, Minister of State for External Affairs Pabitra Margherita also said that the Indian Embassy has advised Indian nationals in Iran to exercise extreme caution, maintain situational awareness, monitor local media for any developments, and stay in contact with the embassy.
The Ministry of External Affairs was asked for details of Indian citizens who are still in Iran, and the details of measures taken for their safety, including emergency helplines activated by the embassy, deployment of consular teams, and any arrangements with Iranian authorities for protection.
"The Ministry and the Indian Embassy in Iran have issued periodic advisories (January 5, January 14, February 23, February 28, and March 3, 2026) to Indian nationals, urging them to avoid non-essential travel to Iran and advising those wishing to leave to do so through available means," Margherita said.
Also, for those Indians wishing to return to India, the embassy is also facilitating their crossing the international border. The minister said that it is also making appropriate arrangements for any distressed or stranded Indians in the country.
"In view of the current situation in Iran and the region, the Ministry has activated a Special Control Room in New Delhi. The Indian Embassy in Tehran is also operating emergency helplines and email to assist Indian nationals in Iran," Margherita said.
The West Asia conflict began after the US and Israel launched a major military attack on Iran on February 28, killing its 86-year-old Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.