India tells nationals in Iran to leave immediately, provides helplines

The Government of India, through the Indian Embassy in Tehran and the Ministry of External Affairs, has urged all Indian nationals and Persons of Indian Origin in Iran to leave the country immediately, advising departure "by all available means of transport, including commercial flights," the advisory said on Monday, February 23, 2026. The embassy cited an "evolving security situation" and instructed citizens to keep travel and immigration documents ready and to avoid protests and demonstrations.

The advisory names groups specifically at risk, telling "students, pilgrims, business persons and tourists" to depart and urging all Indian nationals and PIOs to "exercise due caution, avoid areas of protests or demonstrations, stay in contact with the Indian Embassy in Iran and monitor local media for any developments." It reiterated earlier guidance, stating that it was in continuation of an advisory issued on 5 January 2026 and that "the 14 January 2026 Advisory is hereby reiterated."

The embassy asked nationals who have not already done so to register with the mission via the official portal on the embassy website and to use the mission's emergency contact points for assistance. Emergency mobile numbers provided are +989128109115, +989128109109, +989128109102 and +989932179359; the consular email is cons.tehran@mea.gov.in.

The advisory follows reports of internal unrest in Iran, including student protests that continued into a second day, and comes amid heightened regional tensions. Diplomatic activity between Tehran and Washington has continued, with a further round of talks scheduled in Geneva for Thursday, February 26, a timeline attributed to Oman’s foreign minister Badr Al Busaidi. Separately, U.S. President Donald Trump was quoted as saying, "We're either going to get a deal, or it's going to be unfortunate for them... 10-15 days would be enough time."

Officials did not in the advisory set out specific evacuation arrangements or identify discrete security incidents prompting the alert beyond the broad description of an evolving situation. The embassy's instruction that citizens leave "by all available means of transport, including commercial flights" leaves commercial carriers as the immediate means of exit unless the mission announces alternative arrangements.

The government-directed measures are targeted and practical: ensure passports and IDs are readily available, avoid demonstrations, remain in contact with the embassy and register on the mission portal. Travel and logistics remain subject to the operation of commercial routes; travellers should check airline schedules and local conditions before attempting to depart.

Social media postings of the advisory showed early public reaction; a repost on a news outlet’s Facebook page recorded 25 reactions, two comments and two shares, including a user comment that framed the warning as reflecting "real fear of escalating conflict around Iran" and urged citizens to prioritise safety.

Key outstanding questions for authorities include whether the mission will organise evacuation flights or other consular transport, how many Indian nationals remain in Iran, and what specific threats informed the heightened advisory. In the interim, the embassy has provided consular support through the four mobile numbers above and cons.tehran@mea.gov.in and has asked all nationals to register via the embassy website to enable assistance.