Owaisi Urges Jaishankar for Immediate Evacuation of 1,595 Indian Students Stranded in Iran, 183 Pilgrims in Iraq
Flight disruptions due to escalating regional tensions delay return of Indian nationals; AIMIM chief appeals to Centre and Telangana CM for swift rescue
Hyderabad (Telangana), June 15: AIMIM President and Lok Sabha MP Asaduddin Owaisi has called for urgent intervention by External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar and the Telangana government to evacuate 1,595 Indian students stranded in Iran and 183 pilgrims stuck in Iraq amidst rising geopolitical tensions in the region. Many of the students, including 140 medical students enrolled at Tehran University, are unable to return due to restricted airspace and flight delays triggered by the ongoing Iran-Israel conflict.
In a public post on X (formerly Twitter), Owaisi said:
“1,595 Indian students are stranded in Iran, including 140 medical students at Tehran University. Additionally, 183 Indian pilgrims are stuck in Iraq. I’ve contacted JS (PAI), Mr. Anand Prakash, and shared details of those stranded. Urgent evacuation is needed, S Jaishankar. I request Telangana CMO to ensure their safe return to Telangana.”
1,595 Indian students are stranded in Iran, including 140 medical students at Tehran University. Additionally, 183 Indian pilgrims are stuck in Iraq. I've contacted JS (PAI), Mr. Anand Prakash, and shared details of those stranded. Urgent evacuation is needed, @DrSJaishankar. I…
Owaisi has submitted detailed information about the stranded individuals to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), urging swift action to ensure their safe and immediate evacuation, especially given the security volatility and potential escalation of military actions in the region.
Flight Disruptions and Safety Concerns
Travel disruptions have further complicated the situation. Budget airline IndiGo issued an advisory on Saturday warning passengers of flight path adjustments and potential delays due to ongoing airspace restrictions over Iran, Iraq, and surrounding areas.
In its official statement on X, IndiGo wrote:
“Airspace over Iran and surrounding areas continue to be unavailable. Certain flight paths may need adjustments, leading to extended travel durations or delays. We recommend checking your flight status on our website or mobile app before leaving for the airport.”
The airline also emphasized its commitment to supporting affected passengers and assured that its teams are working to assist travelers under these difficult circumstances.
Regional Context: Rising Tensions Between Israel and Iran
The current airspace crisis follows Israel’s “pre-emptive operation” on Iranian nuclear infrastructure, an escalation that has drawn global concern and resulted in immediate suspension or rerouting of multiple international flights. India-bound flights, especially from Middle Eastern and Central Asian corridors, are among those impacted, causing significant uncertainty for Indian nationals awaiting return.
According to aviation sources, multiple carriers have rerouted or suspended flights through Iranian and Iraqi airspace as a precaution, citing potential threats to civilian aircraft amid military mobilization in the region.
Appeal for Government Action
With no clear timeline for airspace reopening and increased risk in the region, Owaisi’s appeal emphasizes the need for government-led evacuation similar to previous operations such as Vande Bharat or Operation Ganga, prioritizing the safety of Indian nationals.
This situation is being closely monitored by the Ministry of External Affairs, though no official government statement regarding evacuation plans has been issued as of now.
