MEA Warns Indians: Avoid Iran Amid Deadly Protests, Trump Threats
On Wednesday the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) published a new travel recommendation and urged Indian residents not to travel to Iran due to fighting in anti-government demonstrations in the capital, Tehran.
Aadrika Tayal 
New Delhi (India) January 14: On Wednesday, MEA (Ministry of External Affairs) issued an advisory on travel to Iran; further warning against any travelling to Iran on account of continuing instability and widespread protests.
Latest Travel Advisory
The Indian Embassy in Iran has also released an advisory to Indians residing in Iran.
“It is reiterated that all Indian citizens and PIOs should 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 read.
“All Indian nationals in Iran are requested to also have their travel and immigration documents, including passports and IDs, readily available with them. They are requested to contact the Indian Embassy for any assistance in this regard. The Indian embassy listed the following emergency contact helplines: Mobile Numbers: +989128109115; +989128109109; +989128109102; +989932179359. Email: [email protected]”
Embassy Safety Guidelines
Following an earlier directive dated January 5, 2025, the embassy counseled those living under the Iranian umbrella (students, pilgrims, businessmen, tourists) to depart by whatever means of transport were available to them, including commercial planes.
The embassy said that was in response to the changing situation in the country. The embassy noted for all Indian citizens and PIOs residing in Iran to exercise reasonable caution in responding to demonstrations and protests while advising them to remain vigilant from sites active in protests or demonstrations.
The citizens have been advised to stay in contact with the Indian Embassy in Iran and check local media reports for any news on this matter. The advisory will stay in effect until further notice as conditions in Iran continue to evolve, Indian authorities said.
US President's Intervention
There are an estimated 10,000 Indians in Iran, some of them students. Thousands of Shia pilgrims from various regions of India also come to Iran every year.
The advisories have been offered in the shadow of US President Donald Trump’s repeated threats of military action, if security forces in Iran kill protesters. He has also bolstered the protesters by saying “help is on the way” and that “very strong action” will be taken if Iranian authorities execute detained protesters.
Judicial Threats and Casualties
On January 14, the head of Iran’s judiciary threatened swift trials and executions as early as Wednesday. Already, a bloody security force crackdown on the demonstrations has left at least 2,571 dead, the U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency said.
That’s an alarmingly larger death toll than any previous round of protests or unrest in Iran in decades, and a reminder of the frenzy following the country’s Islamic Revolution in 1979.
