Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Sunday expressed deep concern over the safety of Kashmiri students in Iran, as tensions between Israel and Iran continue to escalate with waves of reciprocal airstrikes.
Taking to social media platform X, Abdullah informed that he had spoken directly with External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar regarding the situation in Iran.
“Just spoke to Dr S Jaishankar regarding the situation in Iran, particularly the welfare and safety of Kashmiri students in the country,” the Chief Minister posted.
He further stated that the Minister of External Affairs (MEA) is closely monitoring the developments in Iran and has assured him of every possible step to ensure the safety of Indian nationals, especially students.
“The Hon Minister assured me that @MEAIndia is in close contact with their counterparts in Iran & will take all necessary steps to safeguard all Indian students in Iran,” Abdullah posted.
Students from Jammu & Kashmir in Iran
A significant number of students from Jammu and Kashmir are currently pursuing medical and technical education in Iranian universities, including:
- Shahid Beheshti University
- Iran University of Medical Science
Amid the current volatile situation, concerned families in Jammu & Kashmir have been seeking updates on their wards.
MEA & Indian Embassy Efforts
In an official statement, the Indian Embassy in Tehran confirmed that it is:
- Continuously monitoring the security scenario.
- In constant contact with Indian students to ensure their safety.
- Facilitating the relocation of students to safer areas within Iran, wherever necessary.
- Exploring evacuation options if the situation further deteriorates.
“In some cases, students are being relocated with the Embassy’s facilitation to safer places within Iran. Other feasible options are also under examination,” the MEA statement said.
The Embassy is also holding discussions with community leaders to address welfare and safety concerns.
Escalating Israel-Iran Hostilities
On Sunday, Israel launched a fresh wave of “wide-scale” airstrikes targeting weapon production facilities in Iran, including infrastructure used by the Quds Force, Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), and Iran’s military.
In response, Iran launched ballistic missile attacks on Israel, with explosions reported in Haifa and other cities. At least:
- 224 people in Iran and
- 14 people in Israel
have been killed so far, according to respective local authorities. Over 1,480 people in Iran have been injured since the strikes began on Friday.
The conflict shows no signs of abating despite global calls for diplomatic negotiations and de-escalation.
Summary
With the deteriorating security environment in Iran, the welfare of Kashmiri students has become a priority issue for both the Jammu & Kashmir administration and the Indian government.
Omar Abdullah’s proactive outreach to the MEA reflects the growing anxiety back home, while the Indian Embassy continues to work towards securing the lives of Indian nationals in Iran amid one of the most dangerous escalations in recent Middle East history.