ISLAMABAD: India’s government on Monday advised all its citizens in Iran to leave the country immediately, citing a worsening security situation, according to the Indian Embassy in Tehran.
The advisory covers students, pilgrims, business travelers, and tourists in Iran. The embassy in Tehran recommended departure by any available means, including commercial flights.
The advisory asked citizens to carry passports and identification, avoid protest areas, monitor local media, and stay in contact with the embassy for assistance. Emergency helplines were provided for immediate support.
The warning comes ahead of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Israel on Wednesday. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Modi’s trip would help build a new partnership to counter what he called “radical” threats.
Modi first visited Israel in 2017, and Netanyahu visited India the following year. Modi said on Sunday that he looks forward to talks during the visit.
“India values its long-standing friendship with Israel, based on trust, innovation, and a shared commitment to peace and progress,” he wrote on social media.
India has expanded cooperation with Israel in defense, agriculture, technology, and security.
US-Iran talks
The move follows rising regional tensions and ongoing indirect US-Iran negotiations. Talks are scheduled to resume in Geneva on Feb. 26, 2026. Oman’s Foreign Minister Badr Al Busaidi will act as mediator, according to the Omani Foreign Ministry.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said that “guiding principles” had been agreed upon, though technical details remain unresolved, AFP reported. US officials confirmed that progress was made but many issues are still under discussion, as per the US Department of State.
Relations sour
Relations between Iran and India have soured in recent months, with tensions increasing after India seized three Iranian-linked oil tankers on Feb. 17, 2026, enforcing US sanctions. The Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs described the move as a “serious concern” for trade and energy cooperation, as per official statements.
The Chabahar Port project, a key trade route, faces uncertainty amid US sanctions. India holds a conditional waiver from the US Treasury valid until April 26, 2026, as per the Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal. India has transferred $120 million for port equipment, while a $250 million credit line remains unfulfilled due to sanctions, according to the MEA.
Iranian authorities also detained 16 Indian seafarers aboard the MT Valiant Roar since Dec. 8, 2025, over alleged diesel smuggling, according to the MEA. Indian airline carriers, including IndiGo, have suspended flights over Iranian airspace and nearby hubs until at least Feb. 28, 2026, citing security risks.
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