As the Israel-Iran conflict grows more volatile by the hour, the Indian community— particularly thousands of medical students scattered across Iranian cities—is staring down a deepening crisis. Caught in the crossfire of missile strikes and political rhetoric, many of these students are living in constant fear, waiting for the Indian government to act before the situation spirals further out of control. The immediate trigger was Israel’s launch of “Operation Rising Lion”—a large-scale preemptive strike that, according to reports, targeted senior Iranian military officials and key components of Iran’s nuclear program.
Tehran’s retaliation came swiftly and fiercely, unleashing waves of missiles in a counteroffensive that has brought the region dangerously close to full-scale war. Within four days, both nations had exchanged hundreds of missiles, with the threat of further escalation looming large. For the Indian students in Iran, this geopolitical flashpoint has taken a deeply personal turn. In cities like Tehran, Shiraz, and Qom, the atmosphere is tense and electric with uncertainty. Medical colleges have halted classes, and hostels have turned into makeshift shelters.
“We haven’t slept in three days,” says Imtisal Mohidin, a third-year MBBS student at Shahid Beheshti University in Tehran. “One of the explosions happened just 5 kilometers from our hostel. The sound of blasts jolts us awake every night. We’re scared for our lives.” Mohidin, who hails from Jammu and Kashmir’s Kupwara district, added that students now spend nights huddled in apartment basements. “We came here to become doctors,” he said, “but now all we want is to go back home alive.” He is among more than 350 Indian students enrolled at his university alone. And while the Indian Embassy has provided helpline numbers and issued advisories, students like Mohidin say fear continues to mount. “We’ve been in contact with the Embassy, but we need evacuation. We’re terrified that things will get worse,” he told ANI. The anxiety is not limited to Tehran.
Even students in quieter regions like Kerman report an escalating sense of dread. Faizan Nabi, a first-year medical student at Kerman University, said that until recently, his city had been relatively peaceful. That changed when gunshots were heard nearby. “We’ve been advised to stock drinking water for at least three days,” Faizan said. “My friends in Tehran are in much worse shape. My family back home in Srinagar calls me constantly—they’re desperate for news.” Faizan also highlighted another growing concern: communication gaps. “The internet is painfully slow. Sending a simple message on WhatsApp takes forever,” he said.
“We feel cut off. It’s like we’re on our own.” According to estimates cited by The Hindu, nearly 10,000 Indian nationals reside in Iran. Of these, over 6,000 are students, many from Jammu and Kashmir, drawn to Iran for its affordable medical education. The rest include fisherfolk, sailors working in southern port cities, and long-settled business families. In response to the growing crisis, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has stepped up efforts to assist citizens on the ground. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated on Monday that the Indian Embassy in Tehran is closely monitoring the situation.
“In some cases, students are being relocated to safer places with the facilitation of the Embassy,” he said in a statement shared on social media. The Embassy is also coordinating with Indian community leaders in various Iranian cities to stay updated and provide assistance where needed. An online advisory has been issued, urging Indian nationals and Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) in Iran to remain alert and avoid non-essential travel. A Google Form has been circulated to help collect data for emergency communications. “Please remember, it is important not to panic, exercise due caution, and maintain contact with the Embassy of India in Tehran,” the advisory read. A dedicated Telegram channel has also been launched to provide realtime updates for Indian citizens in Iran. Meanwhile, political leaders from back home are also closely watching the situation. Omar Abdullah, the former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, stated that he had spoken with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and is in regular contact with MEA officials to ensure that the needs of Kashmiri students in Iran are prioritized. India has now opened discussions with Iranian authorities to explore e v a c u a t i o n r o u t e s . Although Iran’s airspace remains closed due to the ongoing conflict, Iranian officials have indicated that all land borders are currently open. In a statement, Iran’s Foreign Ministry reassured India of full cooperation.
“Given the closure of the country’s airports and the requests of several diplomatic missions to repatriate their citizens, we inform that all land borders remain open for crossing,” it stated. Indian officials are now gathering the required documentation—names, passport numbers, vehicle details, and expected times of crossing—to coordinate with Iranian authorities and facilitate border evacuations. Though diplomacy is in motion, the urgency on the ground cannot be overstated. For many students, time is running out.“The fear isn’t just of explosions or airstrikes,” says Faizan. “It’s the uncertainty, the not knowing when or how we’ll be rescued. We just want to go home.”For now, India’s response will be a test of not only its logistical capacity but also its diplomatic dexterity—balancing its growing global profile with the pressing need to protect its citizens abroad. As the missiles continue to fly, the fate of thousands of Indian lives hangs in delicate balance, waiting for a safe passage home.