‘Special Exception’: Iran Opens Airspace To Evacuate Indian Students, Arranges Special Flights

Last Updated:June 20, 2025, 16:55 IST

Iran has tapped its national carrier Mahaan Air to evacuate Indian students caught in the Iran-Israel conflict.

Many Indian students have been relocated to safe areas and thousands are expected to return soon. (IMAGE: MEA/X)

Iran said it is working closely with Indian authorities to assist in the evacuation of Indian students stranded in the country amid escalating regional tensions in West Asia due to its conflict with Israel. Deputy Chief of Mission at the Iran Embassy in New Delhi, Javed Hosseini, told News18 that three Mahaan Air flights have been arranged to bring students back to India in coordinated batches.

“We are cooperating with India in the evacuation. Indian nationals were first moved to a safer place and then assisted with onward arrangements. Three Mahaan Air flights will bring them home,” Hosseini said.

Embassy officials said that around 10,000 Indian nationals are currently in Iran, many of them students. Of these, about 1,000 have already been relocated to safer areas, according to officials aware of the operation.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar earlier confirmed that he had spoken to his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi to coordinate efforts and ensure the safety of Indian nationals. “We are in touch with Indian officials to convey our concerns and expectations,” an Iranian diplomatic source said.

The flights are expected to operate from Mashaad to Delhi in stages and more batches are likely to follow.

The Embassy of Iran in India also confirmed that the repatriation is being done as part of continued cooperation under Operation Sindhu, India’s ongoing evacuation effort. India evacuated students on Wednesday via Armenia.

“India launched Operation Sindhu to evacuate Indian nationals from Iran. India evacuated 110 students from northern Iran who crossed into Armenia under the supervision of our Missions in Iran and Armenia on 17th June. They departed from Yerevan on a special flight and will arrive in New Delhi in the early hours of 19th June 2025,” the external affairs ministry said after the students arrived on Thursday.

“The Government of India accords the highest priority to the safety and security of Indian nationals abroad. The Government will continue to monitor the situation closely. The Embassy remains continuously in touch with the community with a view to extending all feasible assistance,” it further added.

Another 1,000 students are expected to return to India in the coming days.

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