Strikes in Iran (AP photo)

The Middle East is plunged into turmoil following joint US-Israel missile strikes on Iran, which killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, triggering retaliatory attacks and widespread instability across the region. The conflict has disrupted air travel, forced airport closures, and prompted India to issue urgent advisories urging its citizens in Iran, Israel, and Gulf countries, including the UAE, to exercise utmost caution.

Indian students in Iran

Around 3,000 Indian students are said to stuck in Iran, including nearly 2,000 from Jammu and Kashmir. About 1,100–1,200 remain in conflict zones. Nasir Khuehami, National Convenor of the Jammu and Kashmir Students Association, told ANI that a formal request has been sent to PM Modi for immediate evacuation. “This morning, we saw that after the conflict between Iran and Israel, in which Israeli forces attacked Iran, our citizens there, especially Indian students and Indian citizens who have studied and worked there for many years, are very worried... Their families, particularly those in the Kashmir Valley, are very frightened, anxious, and in distress. The number of students from the Kashmir Valley is the highest. There are around 3,000 Indian students, and among them, around 2,000 Kashmiri students… Still, our 1100-1200 students are there… They want us to evacuate them immediately… Today, we wrote a letter to PM Modi, in which we requested him to launch a full-fledged evacuation operation so that our stranded citizens can be evacuated immediately. The Government of India should open diplomatic channels and raise the issue with their counterparts,” he said.Till then, students have been advised to move to safer locations and stay indoors, by the MEA.Follow live updates on the situation in Iran, Middle East

Students plead to government

Several Indian students stuck in Iran shared their ordeal, urging Indian government to help evacuate.Ayesha, an Indian student, stranded in Iran said that she was forced to stay to avoid failing her exams. “We all are cut off from the internet. We are hearing bomb sounds every 15 minutes. It is very disturbing here. When our embassy gave us the advisory to leave Iran, our university didn’t cooperate. They said if you leave, you will fail… Universities, hospitals, and everything is closed for 15 days right now. We are very thankful to the embassy; we are in contact with them... They are also helpless right now because the airspace is banned here from every country. We are not able to evacuate,” she said.Another Indian student in Tehran made a plea to the Indian government for immediate evacuation. She said, “I am an Indian student and currently I’m in Tehran. The situation here feels really bad and uncertain. We really don’t know what’s going to happen next. We are very grateful that the Government of India and the Ministry of External Affairs are in discussions regarding our safety, but in times like these, speed matters a lot. I am not even able to speak properly because air strikes are happening and the situation is getting worse for us. We request a quicker and clear evacuation as soon as possible. Please do not wait for the situation to get worse. Just help us. Please get us out of here as soon as possible.”“Air strikes since morning, we are stuck,” said an Indian student in Iran urging India to start evacuation.

Indians stranded in UAE and Gulf countries

Several travellers from Madhya Pradesh had gone to Dubai and Sharjah for tourism and business purposes when the crisis erupted. In the UAE, over 700 people from Madhya Pradesh, including former MLA and BJP leader Sanjay Shukla, are unable to return due to cancelled flights and temporary airport shutdowns.Shukla shared a video on social media showing smoke from explosions kilometres away and appealed to PM Narendra Modi for assistance, adding that his son is also stranded with him. Former Depalpur MLA Vishal Patel and other travellers are similarly waiting for the situation to normalise before returning to India.Also read: Oil tanker hit near Oman in Strait of Hormuz; 15 Indians evacuated

Government response and advisories

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has issued urgent advisories for Indians in the conflict-hit region. Indian embassies in Tehran and Tel Aviv have established 24×7 helplines and are coordinating with local authorities. Assam’s government is in touch with the MEA to track residents from the state who are living or stranded in West Asia and gather information on their status.Meanwhile, in its official stance, India urged restraint, dialogue, and protection of civilian lives amidst escalating hostilities.

Aviation and maritime precautions

Airlines have been instructed to monitor airspace advisories and reroute or cancel flights as needed. The Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways has also warned Indian seafarers to exercise extreme caution in Iranian waters and nearby regions. Companies and maritime stakeholders are being asked to report the status of Indian crew members to authorities promptly.Meanwhile, air travel disruption continues as tensions escalate in the Middle East, affecting flights to and from the region, prompting aviation ministry to issue advisory. “In view of airspace restrictions arising from geopolitical developments in the Middle East, a total of 350 flights operated by Indian domestic carriers have been cancelled on 01.03.2026. Passengers are advised to check their flight status with the concerned airlines and remain in close coordination with them for any required assistance. The Ministry of Civil Aviation is in close coordination with airlines, airport operators and other stakeholders to proactively monitor the situation and facilitate necessary passenger support.,” it said.