Bringing Them Home: First Batch of Indians from Iran Likely to Arrive Tonight

New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu) :  In a major relief for hundreds of Indian nationals stranded in Iran, the first evacuation flight carrying them is expected to land in India tonight, marking a significant step in the government's ongoing efforts to bring back citizens amid growing tensions and safety concerns in the region. Sources in the Ministry of External Affairs confirmed that the special flight, operated under India's emergency evacuation initiative, took off from Tehran earlier today. The passengers onboard include Indian students, pilgrims, and professionals who had been stuck in various parts of Iran due to recent geopolitical unrest and limited commercial flight operations.

Authorities have put in place strict protocols for the evacuation. Health screenings and security checks were conducted prior to boarding, and all passengers are expected to undergo thorough medical check-ups upon arrival. Quarantine arrangements have been made in line with standard safety procedures to ensure public health is not compromised. This evacuation is part of a coordinated mission launched by the Indian government to bring home its citizens from conflict zones or crisis-hit countries. The Ministry of Civil Aviation, the Ministry of External Affairs, and Indian Embassy officials in Iran have worked closely to facilitate this operation.

Former Iranian Ambassador to India, Mehdi Sanaei, appreciated India’s swift response and diplomatic coordination. "India has always stood by its citizens in times of crisis. This evacuation reflects their well-established emergency protocols and the importance they place on citizen welfare," he stated. Families of the evacuees have expressed a mixture of relief and gratitude. "We've been waiting anxiously for days. Knowing my daughter is on her way home is the biggest relief I've had in weeks," said Rajesh Sharma, a parent from Jaipur whose daughter was studying medicine in Shiraz.

More evacuation flights are expected in the coming days, depending on the situation on the ground and the number of Indians still stranded in Iran. The government has urged citizens to remain in contact with embassy officials and register on the dedicated portals to streamline further operations. As the first flight touches Indian soil tonight, it brings not just passengers but a wave of hope and assurance that, no matter the distance or crisis, home is always within reach.