Around 9,000 Indian nationals currently in Iran, monitoring situation closely: MEA

STC NEWS DESK
SRINAGAR, JANUARY 16 (STC): Around 9,000 Indian nationals are currently present in Iran. They include students, businesspersons, professionals, pilgrims and seafarers, said the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Friday during a weekly press briefing.
“In view of the prevailing situation, we have issued advisories asking Indian nationals to avoid all travel to Iran. Those who are already residing there have been advised to leave by available means, including commercial flights,” said MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal in the briefing.
He added that the government is keeping a close watch on developments and will take all necessary steps to ensure the safety and welfare of Indians in the country. “We continue to closely monitor the unfolding situation and will act as required to safeguard our citizens,” he said.
On India’s involvement at Iran’s Chabahar port, the MEA clarified that operations are continuing under an existing US sanctions exemption. Jaiswal said that on October 28, 2025, the US Department of the Treasury issued guidance on a conditional sanctions waiver, valid until April 26, 2026.
“We remain engaged with the US side to operationalise this arrangement,” he said.
The Chabahar port project, which is strategically important for regional connectivity and access to Afghanistan and Central Asia, has been treated as a special case under US sanctions on Iran, with periodic waivers granted subject to specific conditions and close coordination between India and the United States.

(Straight Talk Communications)