No Internet, Blocked Roads: Indian Returnees Narrate Iran Horror After Tense Escape

Tehran: Amidst the widespread protests and tense situation in Iran, several Indian citizens who were stranded in the troubled west Asian nation arrived at Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi late Friday night. They returned home at a time when the Indian government had advised its citizens to leave Iran and said it was closely monitoring the situation. 

How did Indian returnees describe the situation in Iran?

The Ministry of External Affairs clarified that the government is committed to taking all necessary steps for the safety and well-being of Indians. One Indian citizen who returned from Iran described the situation there as very bad, saying that the situation had deteriorated rapidly in recent days. 

"The situation there was not good. The Indian government provided a lot of support. The embassy informed us in a timely manner about how and when to leave Iran. With Modi ji, everything is possible," he said.

Another Indian citizen said that the problems had increased significantly in the last one or two weeks. He said that whenever they went out, protesters would block the roads, and the situation had become frightening. Due to the internet shutdown, they were unable to contact their families, which added to their anxiety. For some time, they were also unable to contact the embassy.

An Indian citizen from Jammu and Kashmir said that the protests in Iran had become very dangerous. He said that the Indian government made commendable efforts to safely evacuate students and other citizens.

What was the situation at the Delhi airport?

Several families were seen waiting for their relatives at the Delhi airport. One person said that his wife's aunt had gone to Iran on a pilgrimage. He said that they had complete faith in the Indian government and were relieved by the safe return of their family member today.

The Indian embassy had advised students, businessmen, pilgrims, and tourists to leave Iran using all available means. The Ministry of External Affairs has also advised against traveling to Iran until further notice. It is worth noting that protests against the Khamenei regime have been ongoing in Iran since December 28.  During this time, there have been fierce clashes between protesters and Iranian security forces.