Tehran/Srinagar: Hundreds of Indian medical students stranded in Iran have made urgent appeals to the Government of India for evacuation, as the conflict between Israel and Iran escalates, leaving them trapped in increasingly dangerous conditions.
“We hear blasts every night. One explosion was just five kilometres away. We haven’t slept in three days,” said Imtisal Mohidin, a third-year MBBS student at Shahid Beheshti University in Tehran, speaking to media over the phone. A native of Handwara in Jammu and Kashmir, Imtisal is among more than 350 Indian students at the university, now forced to take shelter in basements.
Tehran, a city hit hard by Israeli airstrikes that killed three prominent Iranian nuclear scientists — also professors at Shahid Beheshti University — remains tense. “Classes have been suspended. The university is in contact, but we are mostly depending on the Indian Embassy’s updates and helplines, not knowing when it will be safe to move,” Imtisal added.
Students say the bombardment has sparked fear and mental exhaustion. “We just want the Government of India to evacuate us before it’s too late,” pleaded Imtisal.
In Kerman, another Iranian city, Faizan Nabi, a first-year MBBS student at Kerman University of Medical Sciences, echoed these fears. “We heard gunshots today. Panic is spreading fast. My parents call me 10 times a day. The internet is so slow, I can’t even message on WhatsApp quickly,” said Faizan, a resident of Srinagar.
Midhat, a fourth-year student at Iran University of Medical Science, shared similar distress. “The first night of strikes was terrifying. Blasts nearby. Everyone panicked. My family calls constantly. We don’t know how long this will last,” said Midhat, who hails from Sopore, Jammu and Kashmir.
The Indian Embassy in Tehran has issued public advisories urging all nationals to stay indoors, follow verified updates, and join a dedicated Telegram channel for real-time information. Emergency helplines have also been provided.
“We are in touch with all students and issuing regular safety instructions,” said an Embassy statement. However, students say they are desperate for immediate evacuation plans, fearing the worsening situation and restricted airspace.
With rising tensions, uncertainty, and no clear end in sight to the conflict, students and their families back home continue to anxiously await the government’s decision on a possible evacuation flight.