Mehbooba Mufti Seeks Evacuation of Indian Students from Iran

PDP chief urges Centre to act amid rising unrest and safety concerns

January 15, 2026: PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti on Thursday appealed to the Union government to urgently intervene for the safe return of Indian students, including Kashmiris, stranded in Iran amid the escalating unrest. Her appeal followed growing anxiety among parents of Kashmiri students studying in Iran, who have sought the Centre’s help to ensure their children’s safety. Taking to X, Mehbooba urged External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) to act swiftly, highlighting the fear and distress gripping families back home.

According to estimates, over 10,000 Indians, including students, currently reside in Iran. In view of the worsening situation, the Indian embassy in Tehran has issued a fresh advisory asking all Indian nationals — including students, pilgrims, businesspersons and tourists — to leave the country using available transport options, including commercial flights. The advisory underlines concerns over the rapidly changing security environment.

The unrest in Iran began late last month in Tehran following a sharp fall in the value of the Iranian rial and has since spread across all 31 provinces. What started as protests against economic hardship has evolved into broader demands for political change. The situation has significantly deteriorated in recent days, with the death toll from nationwide protests reportedly crossing 2,500, according to the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA).