Iran Foreign Minister dials Jaishankar to discuss ‘evolving situation’

New Delhi: Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi called External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar late Wednesday, January 14, evening, with both ministers discussing the “evolving situation” in the Islamic Republic.

“Received a call from Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi. We discussed the evolving situation in and around Iran,” Jaishankar posted on X after the development.

The conversation took place shortly after the Indian embassy in Tehran issued a fresh advisory urging all Indians, including students, pilgrims, business persons and tourists, to leave Iran by available means of transport, including commercial flights.

According to estimates, a little over 10,000 Indians, including students, are currently living in Iran.

The mission also urged all Indian citizens and PIOs (Persons of Indian Origin) to exercise due caution, avoid areas of protests or demonstrations and stay in contact with the embassy.

It also urged the Indian nationals to have their travel and immigration documents, including passports, readily available. Indians living in Iran on resident visas were also advised to register with the embassy.

“In view of the evolving situation in Iran, Indian nationals who are currently in Iran (students, pilgrims, business persons and tourists) are advised to leave Iran by available means of transport, including commercial flights,” the embassy said.

India’s advisory came amid rising tensions in Iran and the region after US President Donald Trump indicated military action if Tehran continues its crackdown on the protesters.

“If they hang them, you’re going to see some things… We will take very strong action if they do such a thing,” the US president told CBS News.

Second advisory by India

The protests began late last month in Tehran after the Iranian currency rial plunged to record lows. The protests have since spread to all 31 provinces, evolving from an agitation against economic woes to a demand for political change.

Separately, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) advised Indians to avoid travelling to Iran. In view of the ongoing developments in Iran, Indian nationals are once again strongly advised to avoid travel to the Islamic Republic of Iran until further notice, it said.

In a previous advisory issued on January 5, the MEA urged its nationals to avoid non-essential travel to Iran. It had also asked Indian citizens and PIOs residing in Iran to exercise due caution and avoid visiting areas of protests.

The overall situation in Iran in the last few days has deteriorated dramatically as the death toll from the nationwide protests has increased to over 2,500, according to US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency.

(With inputs from PTI and IANS)