Saare Jahan Se Accha: India Evacuates 1,713 Nationals from Iran; Operation Continues Despite U.S. Bombings

India’s Operation Sindhu has successfully evacuated 1,713 nationals from conflict-hit Iran as hostilities between Iran, Israel, and the United States persist. On June 22, a special flight carrying 285 evacuees from Mashhad landed in New Delhi at 11:30 PM, received by Minister of State P. Margherita, according to External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal.

Image Source: MEA/FM on X

The operation was launched after escalating violence in the region, and it has been intensified, particularly following U.S. airstrikes on Iran’s underground nuclear facilities — Fordo, Natanz, and Isfahan — authorized by President Donald Trump. 

These strikes intensified fears of a broader conflict, drawing sharp international reactions, including warnings from Russia of potential global escalation.

Iran had earlier allowed temporary access to its restricted airspace to facilitate India’s evacuation efforts. Indian authorities, in coordination with Tehran, preemptively relocated many nationals, primarily students, to safer cities like Qom and Mashhad ahead of the airlift.

An estimated 10,000 Indians were present in Iran at the start of the conflict.

The evacuation began late Friday night with the first flight evacuating 290 students from Tehran, followed by multiple flights over the weekend, including a flight with 311 citizens on Sunday afternoon.

India continues diplomatic engagements to help stabilize the situation. Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently spoke with Iran’s newly elected President Dr. Masoud Pezeshkian, urging de-escalation and a return to dialogue and diplomacy.

Operation Sindhu remains ongoing, with additional flights planned to bring remaining Indian nationals home safely.