As conflict ebbs, India winds down evacuations from Iran

India launched Operation Sindhu last week to bring back Indians from Iran and Israel amid the spiralling hostilities between the two nations.

“Since there has been an announcement of a ceasefire, the Embassy is gradually winding up the evacuation exercise initiated during the military conflict in Iran,” it said.

“Hence the Embassy has closed the contact desk that was opened to register new names for evacuation. At the same time, Govt. of India is keeping a careful eye on the evolving situation, & will reassess its strategy in case there is again a threat to the security of Indian nationals in Iran,” it said.

In its post, the Embassy advised Indians planning to travel to Mashhad for evacuation to remain where they were and continue to monitor the news.

It urged those who have already travelled to Mashhad and were staying in one of the hotels arranged by the Embassy to shift to the Sadr Hotel on Tuesday as the mission will be releasing the rooms in other hotels.

“The embassy will retain the rooms in Sadr hotel… until checkout time on 26 June. This will also allow citizens time to assure themselves that the security situation in Iran is indeed returning to normal,” it said.

“If any Indian citizens need any advice or assistance, or have any other special needs, they may contact the Embassy through the telegram channel or on the helplines provided earlier. These communication channels will be open for the next few days,” it said.

A special flight carrying 282 Indian nationals stranded in conflict-hit Iran landed in New Delhi on Wednesday, taking the total number of people evacuated under Operation Sindhu to 2,858.

“282 Indian nationals were evacuated from Iran on a special flight that arrived in New Delhi from Mashhad at 00:01 hrs on 25th June. With this, 2858 Indian nationals have been brought home from Iran,” the Ministry of External Affairs said on X.