News Flash Daily
1 March 
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New Delhi: More than 3,000 Indian students, including nearly 1,200 from Jammu and Kashmir, are currently stranded in Iran amid a rapidly deteriorating security situation, prompting an urgent appeal to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to arrange an emergency airlift. The appeal has been formally submitted by the Jammu and Kashmir Students Association, citing growing fear, anxiety, and disruption to academic life following recent military developments in the region.
The request comes in the wake of joint military strikes by Israel and the United States, which have sharply escalated tensions across West Asia. In response to the volatile situation, the student body has urged the Government of India to prepare for a full-scale evacuation of Indian nationals, particularly students pursuing medical education in Iran.
Students Living in Fear After Escalation
The association’s National Convenor Nasir Khuehami stated that Indian students, especially those from the Kashmir Valley, are experiencing severe psychological stress as security conditions worsen.
“Since this morning, after the escalation between Iran and Israel, Indian students and citizens who have been studying and working here for years are extremely worried,” Khuehami said.
Khuehami clarified that while around 3,000 Indian students are currently in Iran, close to 2,000 are from Kashmir, underlining the disproportionate impact on students from the region. He added that the association has written directly to the Prime Minister requesting immediate intervention and urging the government to activate diplomatic channels and keep evacuation plans ready should the situation deteriorate further.
“The Government of India should open diplomatic channels and raise the issue with its counterparts,” he said.
Ground Reality: Bomb Sounds, Closed Universities
Indian students on the ground have described a deeply alarming situation. A stranded Indian medical student, Ayesha, said that daily life has become unbearable amid constant fear.
“We hear bomb sounds every 15 minutes. It has become very difficult to live here. When our embassy advised us to leave Iran, our university did not cooperate and warned that we would fail if we left,” she said.
Ayesha further revealed that for the past 15 days, universities, hospitals, and other essential facilities have remained closed, compounding students' hardship.
“We are very grateful to our embassy and remain in constant contact with them. However, they are helpless at the moment as several countries have closed their airspace,” she added.
Airspace Closures Disrupt Evacuation Options
The current crisis follows Iran’s retaliatory actions after the US-Israel strikes, leading to temporary airspace closures across parts of West Asia. These closures have severely disrupted international flight routes, limiting evacuation options and leaving many foreign nationals stranded.
Half of Students Returned Earlier, Many Stayed for Exams
According to Faizan Nabi, Coordinator of the Iran Students Association and a third-semester MBBS student at Kerman University of Medical Sciences, nearly half of the Indian students returned home after the Indian Embassy in Tehran issued an advisory on February 23, urging Indian nationals to leave Iran using available means.
However, many students chose to stay back as they were scheduled to appear for two examinations conducted by Iran’s Ministry of Health and Medical Education on March 5.
“Many believed they would complete their exams and then leave. They did not anticipate such a sudden escalation,” Nabi explained.
Fresh Advisory from Indian Embassy
On Saturday, the Indian Embassy in Tehran issued a fresh advisory on X, urging Indian nationals to remain cautious and limit movement.
“Avoid unnecessary movement and stay indoors. Indian nationals are advised to continue monitoring news, maintain situational awareness, and await further guidance from the Embassy of India,” the advisory stated.
Why Indian Students Choose Iran for Medical Education
At present, the majority of Indians in Iran are medical students enrolled across universities in different provinces, with the highest concentration from Jammu and Kashmir, followed by students from Kerala, Uttar Pradesh, and other states. Iran has long been a preferred destination due to affordable tuition fees and comparatively easier admission processes. However, students must still clear competitive exams such as NEET to secure admission to MBBS programmes.
