Operation Sindhu: India Evacuates 282 More Citizens from Iran, Total Reaches 2,858

New Delhi: The Indian government’s Operation Sindhu has successfully brought back another 282 Indian nationals from Iran amid escalating tensions in the region, raising the total number of evacuees to 2,858, according to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). The latest group arrived in Delhi on a special flight from Mashhad late Tuesday night, June 24, 2025.

Union Minister of State for External Affairs, Pabitra Margherita, welcomed the evacuees at Delhi’s airport, emphasizing the government’s commitment to ensuring the safety of its citizens abroad. “Operation Sindhu is progressing swiftly to bring our people home from conflict zones,” Margherita stated.

The ministry confirmed that three additional evacuation flights are scheduled to operate from Iran in the coming days, with efforts ongoing to repatriate more citizens. The operation, launched last week in response to the intensifying conflict between Iran and Israel, has also facilitated the evacuation of 594 Indian nationals from Israel via Jordan and Egypt.

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The Indian Embassy in Tehran has extended its support to citizens of Nepal and Sri Lanka, following requests from their respective governments. Emergency helplines have been established to assist with the evacuation process, ensuring safe passage for those stranded in the conflict-hit region.

Tehran’s cooperation has been instrumental, with Iranian authorities granting special access to its airspace for Indian evacuation flights, despite restrictions on most international air travel due to ongoing missile and drone activities. The MEA expressed gratitude to Iran and Armenia for their assistance in facilitating the safe return of Indian nationals.

Among the evacuees are students, pilgrims, and other citizens, many of whom have praised the government’s efforts. “The Indian Embassy made the process seamless and safe,” said a student from Jammu and Kashmir, part of an earlier group evacuated from Mashhad.

Operation Sindhu continues to be a critical effort to ensure the safe return of Indian nationals amid the volatile situation in the Middle East.