‘Rise in instability in Iran’: Indian embassy sounds alarm; urges people to leave, postpone travel
NEW DELHI: The Indian Embassy in Iran on Sunday issued a revised travel advisory, urging Indian nationals to postpone all travel to the country.It also advised Indians already in Tehran to consider temporarily leaving the country using available commercial flights, as the security situation continues to deteriorate amid the escalating conflict in the Middle East.The advisory comes as military hostilities between the United States and Iran have intensified, with fresh strikes, retaliatory attacks and growing concerns over the security situation across the region.In its advisory, the embassy said, “The recent days have seen an increase in levels of instability and conflict in Iran.”It advised Indian nationals planning to visit Iran ‘for any purpose’ to postpone their travel until the security environment improves. The embassy also urged Indians already in Iran to ‘consider temporarily exiting Iran, using available flight options.’For those choosing to remain in the country, the mission advised exercising the highest level of caution, closely monitoring local developments and avoiding areas witnessing increased military activity, particularly along Iran’s southern coast.”Indian nationals who choose to remain in Iran should exercise the highest possible level of caution. They should carefully monitor the news to maintain full situational awareness, and should avoid locations seeing higher levels of military activity such as those along the southern coast of the country. Instructions issued by local authorities should be complied with carefully,” the advisory read.The embassy also asked all Indian nationals in Iran who have not yet registered with the mission to do so immediately and regularly follow its official website and social media channels for further updates.The advisory was issued as the conflict between the United States and Iran escalated further on Sunday.According to Iranian authorities, the United States carried out fresh strikes on the under-construction Darkhovin nuclear power plant and other military targets, while the US Central Command (CENTCOM) said it targeted Iranian coastal surveillance systems, air defence networks, maritime assets and missile and drone facilities.Iran, meanwhile, announced retaliatory drone attacks against two US military installations in Kuwait and claimed to have intercepted a US MQ-9 drone over Ahvaz. It also warned that the Strait of Hormuz remained under the control of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), amid heightened tensions over maritime security.The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said it was investigating reports of the attack on the Darkhovin nuclear facility and added that the site contained no nuclear material during its last inspection. The UN nuclear watchdog said the reported strike was not believed to pose any radiological risk but reiterated its call for military restraint around nuclear-related sites.The latest escalation has raised fresh international concern over the widening conflict in the Middle East as the war completes nearly five months.
