Iran Opens Airspace for Indian Evacuation, 1,000 Nationals Set to Land in Delhi Tonight
In the wake of rising geopolitical instability and armed conflict in the Middle East—particularly due to the intensifying hostilities between Iran and Israel—thousands of civilians have found themselves stranded in volatile zones. Among them are a significant number of Indian nationals, many of whom are students, workers, and professionals temporarily residing in conflict-sensitive areas of Iran and its neighboring regions.
The situation reached a critical tipping point when a fresh series of missile exchanges between Iran and Israel caused heightened military alerts, closed borders, and near-total airspace lockdowns across parts of the region. Diplomatic missions around the world scrambled to reassess evacuation plans, and India was no exception.
On June 20, 2025, a major breakthrough was achieved. The Iranian government, after prolonged diplomatic backchannel communication, agreed to open its airspace temporarily—a rare move under the current wartime constraints—to allow the safe evacuation of approximately 1,000 Indian nationals. This act came as a sign of cooperation amidst the broader crisis and was swiftly executed in coordination with India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the Indian Air Force (IAF), and civilian airlines operating under emergency protocols.
India’s Swift Response
The MEA, in conjunction with the Indian Embassy in Tehran and other regional offices, had already activated its standard operating procedures for Non-Combatant Evacuation Operations (NEO). Flights were chartered with urgency, landing permissions were secured within hours, and coordination was initiated with Iranian civil aviation authorities, who granted a brief corridor of operational clearance through their airspace.
In a coordinated effort involving ground teams, translators, security escorts, and logistical experts, Indian officials gathered stranded nationals from various cities including Tehran, Isfahan, and Qom. A centralized staging point was established at Tehran’s Imam Khomeini International Airport where evacuees were subjected to identification checks, biometric scans, and basic medical evaluations before boarding.
By 9:00 PM IST, the first evacuation flight—an Air India wide-body aircraft—was airborne and en route to Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi, carrying over 250 individuals, many of them families with young children and elderly citizens. Additional flights were scheduled in quick succession, forming an evacuation convoy that aimed to complete the operation by dawn on June 21.
As tensions surged in the Middle East, particularly between Iran and Israel, the need for rapid diplomatic agility became more urgent than ever. For India, a country with deep strategic interests in the region and a large diaspora presence, the challenge was not only humanitarian—it was geopolitical. The successful opening of Iranian airspace to evacuate Indian nationals was no ordinary feat. It was the result of behind-the-scenes diplomacy, high-stakes negotiations, and swift coordination between multiple arms of the Indian government.
Behind the Curtains: The Diplomatic Timeline
The situation began escalating in early June when satellite images and regional intelligence confirmed that both Iran and Israel were preparing for full-scale military operations. By mid-June, rocket attacks had intensified, and several international airlines suspended flights through Iranian and Israeli airspace.
On June 17, the Indian Embassy in Tehran issued an advisory urging Indian citizens to avoid non-essential movement and register with the embassy immediately. At the same time, India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) initiated confidential communications with Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, seeking a humanitarian corridor for evacuation.
In New Delhi, External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar held emergency meetings with the Prime Minister’s Office, Defense Ministry, and representatives from Air India and the Indian Air Force (IAF). The Prime Minister personally monitored the developments, emphasizing the urgency of “bringing every Indian back safely.”
After 48 hours of intense diplomatic effort, on June 19, Iran agreed to allow a narrow time window on June 20 for the evacuation to proceed through designated airspace under the protection of Iran’s military radar systems. The approval came with strict conditions: flights had to follow pre-cleared corridors, avoid military zones, and coordinate in real-time with Iranian air traffic control.
A Tri-Ministry Coordination
Once the Iranian nod came in, coordination across three ministries became critical:
- MEA oversaw diplomatic clearances and the gathering of evacuees.
- The Ministry of Civil Aviation worked with airlines to ready aircraft and crew within hours.
- The Ministry of Defence placed Indian Air Force assets on standby to respond in case of airspace denial, security threats, or mechanical failure.
Special permission was also granted to use Air India’s Dreamliner fleet, capable of non-stop long-range missions with enhanced onboard medical facilities and emergency support kits.
Meanwhile, in Tehran, Ambassador Shri Gaurav Raina, India’s envoy to Iran, personally oversaw the operation. Embassy staff worked around the clock to process evacuation forms, verify documents, and calm panicked families.
Evacuation Groundwork in Iran
Local logistics posed a challenge. With public transport largely disrupted, many Indians had to be bused from different provinces to Tehran under tight security. Iranian authorities provided limited police escort, and checkpoints along highways had to be pre-negotiated by Indian officials.
Despite these challenges, embassy teams managed to process and transport close to 1,000 Indian nationals to Tehran airport in less than 36 hours. Volunteers from the Indian diaspora and student groups also pitched in, helping translate instructions and distribute food, water, and first-aid kits to evacuees.
The Indian embassy converted one of its consular lounges into a temporary refugee support hub, where children were offered milk and diapers, elderly evacuees received medical assistance, and families were given access to mobile phones to call relatives back home.
As the first evacuation flight prepared for takeoff from Tehran’s Imam Khomeini International Airport, the gravity of the moment hung heavily in the air. Many evacuees were overwhelmed—by both relief and residual fear. This was more than just a return flight; it was a journey away from uncertainty, back to the safety of home.
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The BJP’s challenge is to sustain its infrastructure-led optimism, while the opposition must convert economic anxiety into political action. Either way, Siwan stands as a microcosm of Bihar’s larger electoral battleground—rich in symbolism, divided in memory, and restless for progress.
The Boarding: Emotions on the Tarmac
Under the darkened skies of June 20, passengers began boarding the Air India Dreamliner, specially designated for the mission. The aircraft bore not just the tricolor insignia but also the unspoken promise of protection.
Boarding began in stages, prioritizing:
- Families with children
- Pregnant women
- Elderly individuals
- Those with medical conditions
Indian embassy officials, ground staff, and volunteers assisted each passenger onto the aircraft. For many, this marked the end of days spent in fear—taking shelter from potential airstrikes, rationing supplies, or hearing the distant hum of military jets.
Some families clutched documents in one hand and children in the other. Others took selfies near the aircraft door—not as a celebration, but as a moment of survival. The cabin crew, trained for such emergency missions, greeted passengers with a calm and composed demeanor, providing reassurance with every gesture.
Inside the Aircraft: A Different Kind of Cabin Experience
As the plane ascended, silence filled the cabin. No celebratory cheers, no applause—just collective stillness. Most passengers were emotionally exhausted. Some quietly wept, others stared blankly out the window, and many immediately contacted loved ones using the in-flight Wi-Fi that had been activated temporarily for free use during the mission.
Medical volunteers onboard moved between rows, checking for signs of fatigue, dehydration, or trauma. Special care was provided to:
- A 76-year-old diabetic who had run out of insulin
- A mother traveling with a 3-week-old infant born in Iran
- Several students who had not eaten a full meal in two days
In the galley, the cabin crew quickly adapted to a humanitarian mode. They heated food for infants, distributed blankets, and ensured the elderly had aisle access for easy movement.
The captain addressed the passengers midway into the flight:
This simple announcement triggered a wave of applause—subdued, tearful, but deeply felt.
Stories in the Sky: Firsthand Accounts
1. Rohit Singh, 24, Student in Tehran:
“We used to hear fighter jets every night. I kept my passport in my shoe, ready to run. I can’t believe I’m finally going back.”
2. Dr. Farzana Ali, Medical Intern:
“We helped in local clinics even during the bombing. But eventually, it got too dangerous. The embassy’s help saved our lives.”
3. Neelam Kapoor, 65, Visiting Daughter:
“I was in Iran for my granddaughter’s birth. We never imagined we’d be packing in the dark with missiles flying overhead.”
These human stories brought a profound emotional depth to the mission. While statistics would later quantify the evacuation, these voices preserved its true meaning.
Landing in India: A Homecoming Like No Other
At 4:17 AM IST, the aircraft touched down at Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi. Ground crews, medical teams, and MEA representatives were already in place.
The passengers disembarked in silence, greeted by support staff who handed them water bottles, medical masks, and welcome kits. A few knelt down to touch Indian soil. Others embraced relatives waiting at the gates. Some simply stood still, finally able to breathe freely.
Immigration and health clearance were expedited through a special “Evacuee Lane,” where evacuees were screened for communicable diseases and offered psychological counseling services.
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