Iran Allows Indian Airspace Access for Student Evacuations Amid Tensions with Israel
In a notable move amid escalating tensions with Israel, Iran has permitted India exclusive access to its airspace to assist in the evacuation of approximately 1,000 Indian students currently stranded in the country. This decision comes as most international flights face restrictions from entering Iranian airspace due to ongoing missile and drone confrontations between Iran and Israel.
India has initiated evacuation efforts under Operation Sindhu. On June 17, 110 students were transported by road from northern Iran to Armenia, an operation managed by the Indian Embassy. A special flight subsequently took them from Yerevan to New Delhi on June 18, with their arrival in India expected early Saturday morning.
"The government of India accords the highest priority to the safety and security of Indian nationals abroad," the Ministry of External Affairs stated.
The evacuation takes place against a backdrop of intense military conflict between Israel and Iran, which started on June 13. Israeli attacks have focused on important nuclear facilities, military installations, and senior Iranian officials. Reports indicate that the conflict has resulted in at least 657 fatalities in Iran, including 263 civilians, with over 2,000 individuals injured.
In retaliation, Iran has fired 450 missiles and deployed 1,000 drones targeting Israel, according to Israeli military authorities. While Israel's advanced air defense systems have intercepted most of these, at least 24 individuals in Israel have died, and several hundred have been wounded.
As international tensions rise and fears of a broader regional conflict intensify, Iran’s temporary opening of its airspace for Indian evacuations is considered a humanitarian exception. It highlights the gravity of the situation, where regular civilian aviation is almost non-existent.
Meanwhile, reports indicate that former US President Donald Trump is weighing military action against Iran’s heavily fortified Fordo nuclear site, sparking further concerns of a larger conflict.
Although Iran maintains that its nuclear program is intended for peaceful purposes, its uranium enrichment to 60 percent—just below weapons-grade—remains a point of global contention. Israel, believed to possess nuclear weapons though it has never officially confirmed this, sees Iran’s nuclear capability as a direct threat.
The rapidly unfolding conflict, affecting diplomatic, military, and humanitarian dimensions, endangers thousands of civilians, including foreign nationals. India’s prompt actions through Operation Sindhu underscore the urgency of the situation and its dedication to the safety of its citizens abroad.
