A fresh batch of 282 Indian nationals stranded in conflict-hit Iran landed safely in New Delhi in the early hours of Wednesday, bringing the total number of evacuees under Operation Sindhu to 2,858, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced.
The special flight departed from Mashhad and touched down in the national capital at 12:01 AM IST. “282 Indian nationals were evacuated from Iran… With this, 2,858 Indian nationals have been brought home from Iran,” the MEA stated in a post on X.
Launched amid the escalating conflict between Iran and Israel, Operation Sindhu has been India’s proactive evacuation mission to ensure the safety of its citizens. A ceasefire between the two countries was announced on Tuesday, offering a brief window of relative calm in the volatile region.
Evacuees arriving in India expressed deep relief and appreciation for the Indian Government and its embassy in Iran. One returnee shared, “The condition is better now. Two to four days ago, the situation was completely unpredictable. The Indian Embassy made suitable arrangements for us. We did not face any trouble.”
Another evacuee, Syed Adil Mansoor, said, “I am feeling good. The situation there is normal. The Indian Embassy has supported us very much… I am thankful to them.”
Mohammad Asim echoed these sentiments, praising the efforts of the embassy and ground staff: “We are just coming from Iran. The Indian Embassy made very good arrangements for us.”
The returnees consistently credited the Indian Embassy’s swift and efficient action in ensuring their safety, with many expressing heartfelt gratitude for the government’s conduct during the crisis.
Earlier on Tuesday, a separate flight carrying 281 Indian citizens—alongside three Sri Lankans and two Nepalese—also landed in New Delhi. Minister of State for External Affairs, Pabitra Margherita, welcomed them personally.
“Our government is always committed to help those in distress… This is the 11th batch from Iran. In total, 3,180 Indian nationals have now been brought back safely from Iran and Israel,” he said.
The broader geopolitical situation remains tense. A ceasefire was announced by US President Donald Trump after Iran struck US military bases in retaliation for American strikes on its nuclear facilities. However, violations soon followed.
Reports indicated that the Israeli Air Force launched a limited strike on an Iranian radar installation near Tehran, prompting Iran to retaliate with missile launches at Israel. President Trump expressed frustration at the renewed hostilities, stating the two nations have been fighting “so long and so hard that they don’t know what the f*** they’re doing.”
Following a conversation between Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel reportedly held back from further strikes.
The current ceasefire follows a deadly series of escalations that began on June 13, when Israel carried out coordinated strikes on Iranian nuclear and military facilities. Iran responded with retaliatory attacks, leading the US to join the conflict with targeted strikes on Iranian sites including Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan.
Despite ongoing tensions, India’s Operation Sindhu continues to ensure the safety and return of its citizens from the region.