India considers Armenia as safe passage for evacuating nationals from Iran

Amid escalating tensions between Israel and Iran, India has begun relocating its nationals from high-risk zones in Iran and is actively considering evacuation options, with Armenia emerging as a possible route, The New Indian Express reported.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) of India on Monday confirmed that Indian nationals, including students, are being shifted to safer locations within Iran under the supervision of the Indian Embassy in Tehran, according to The New Indian Express. 

"In some cases, students are being relocated with the Embassy's facilitation to safer places within Iran," the ministry said in a statement, adding that embassy officials are in constant contact with the Indian community and local leaders, according to The New Indian Express.

The government is also exploring evacuation routes, with discussions underway to potentially use Armenia for safe passage, The New Indian Express. 

External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar spoke with his Armenian counterpart, Ararat Mirzoyan, to discuss logistical and diplomatic coordination, The New Indian Express reported citing officials.

The embassy in Tehran has urged Indian nationals and persons of Indian origin to remain indoors, avoid non-essential movement, and closely follow updates issued through official channels.

Iran had temporarily closed its airspace over the weekend during intense exchanges of fire with Israel. As of 2022, around 10,000 Indian nationals were residing in Iran, including over 2,000 students, according to government data, The New Indian Express reported.

New Delhi has reiterated its call for restraint and de-escalation, urging both Iran and Israel to avoid further conflict.

Israel launched what it calls Operation Rising Lion against Iran's nuclear facilities in the early hours of Friday, calling it a preemptive strike designed to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons. Iran has denied plans to develop such weapons. Tehran retaliated by launching counterstrikes on Israel.