Tehran/New Delhi | — As Israeli airstrikes intensify across Iran, hundreds of Indian medical students are trapped in the conflict zone, pleading with the Indian government for urgent evacuation. With Iran’s airspace restricted due to the ongoing escalation, the students are left uncertain and anxious about their return home.
“We came here to become doctors. Now, we’re just trying to stay alive,” said Faizan Nabi, a first-year MBBS student at Kerman University of Medical Sciences.
Living in Fear Amid Explosions
More than 350 Indian students are enrolled at Shahid Beheshti University in Tehran, which has now suspended classes. Many students have taken shelter in basements, fearing for their lives as blasts echo across the capital.
“I woke up at 2:30 am to loud explosions and rushed to the basement. One of the blasts was just 5 km from us. We haven’t slept in three days,” said Imtisal Mohidin, a third-year student from Handwara, Jammu and Kashmir.
Another student, Midhat from Sopore, studying at Iran University of Medical Sciences, described the first night of strikes as “the most horrifying experience.”
“My family keeps checking in. Everyone was panicking. The blasts were so close,” she said.
Even in relatively calmer regions like Kerman, tension is growing.
“We heard gunshots today. Friends in Tehran are terrified. We’ve been told to store water for three to four days,” Faizan said. “Internet is slow. It takes minutes just to send a WhatsApp message.”
Appeals for Government Intervention
Students are relying on updates from the Indian Embassy, which has issued advisories, shared emergency helpline numbers, and asked nationals to join a dedicated Telegram group. However, many students say university support is lacking.
“We request the Government of India to evacuate us before things get worse. The Embassy is in touch, but we are frightened and need to go home,” urged Mohidin.
Most students are now confined indoors, constantly monitoring the news and messaging loved ones when internet allows.
“We don’t know how long this will last,” Midhat added.
Official Response and Ongoing Uncertainty
The Indian Embassy in Tehran has yet to announce a concrete evacuation plan, but officials are monitoring the situation. The Indian government has successfully conducted evacuations from war zones in the past, raising hopes among students and families.
With air travel disrupted and the security situation deteriorating, these students remain in a dangerous limbo — thousands of miles from home, amid a war they never anticipated.