Indian Embassy in Iran Gradually Ends Evacuation Efforts Amid Ceasefire

Embassy Announces Phased Withdrawal of Evacuation Operations

The Indian Embassy in Iran has declared that it will begin to wind down its evacuation operations for Indian citizens, a process that was initiated due to heightened tensions following military actions by Israel in the region. This decision comes in light of a ceasefire agreement reached between Israel and Iran on Tuesday. The Embassy shared this update via a post on X, indicating the closure of the contact desk that was previously established for registering Indian nationals seeking evacuation, while assuring that they will continue to monitor the security landscape closely.

Guidance for Indian Nationals in Iran

In its announcement, the Embassy advised Indian nationals located in various parts of Iran, who had intended to travel to Mashhad for evacuation, to remain where they are and stay updated with news and any further guidance from the Embassy. The post emphasized, "Indians in other areas of Iran, who were planning to head to Mashhad for evacuation, should stay put and keep an eye on news updates and any revised instructions from the Embassy."

Instructions for Those in Mashhad

For those who have already reached Mashhad and are currently accommodated in hotels arranged by the Embassy, a directive has been issued to relocate to the Sadr hotel by Wednesday (local time). The Embassy stated, "Indians who have traveled to Mashhad in recent days and are staying in hotels organized by the Embassy are requested to move to the Sadr hotel today, as the Embassy will be vacating rooms in other hotels." The Embassy will keep rooms available at the Sadr hotel for an additional two nights, until June 26, to give citizens time to evaluate the security situation.

Ceasefire Developments and Regional Tensions

This announcement follows a ceasefire agreement declared by US President Trump on Tuesday, which came after Iran's attacks on US military bases in Qatar and Iraq in retaliation for US strikes on its nuclear sites. However, shortly after the ceasefire was announced, the Israeli Air Force conducted a limited strike on an Iranian radar facility near Tehran, prompting Iran to launch two ballistic missiles at Israel, as reported by a media outlet. Trump expressed his discontent regarding the violations of the ceasefire by both Israel and Iran, stating that the two nations have been engaged in conflict for so long that they seem to have lost their direction.

Escalating Military Actions and Evacuations

Following a series of military escalations, including Israel's initial strikes against Iranian nuclear and military targets on June 13, Iran retaliated with attacks on Israeli military infrastructure. The US then intervened with precision strikes on three significant Iranian nuclear facilities: Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan. Meanwhile, another special flight successfully transported 282 Indian nationals stranded in conflict-affected Iran back to New Delhi on Wednesday, bringing the total number of evacuees under Operation Sindhu to 2,858.