MEA on Iran crisis: Welfare of Indian nationals priority, says Chabahar engagement continues
New Delhi, Jan 16: MEA on Friday said it is closely monitoring the situation in Iran and has issued advisories for Indian nationals in view of the evolving security conditions, while also clarifying that India’s engagement at the Chabahar port continues under a conditional US sanctions waiver.
Responding to questions in a weekly media briefing on the safety of Indians in Iran, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said there are around 9,000 Indian nationals currently in the country. “We have around 9,000 Indian national in Iran. They are mostly students, business, pilgrimage, professionals, and seafarers,” he said.
Spokesperson Jaiswal said the government has advised Indians to avoid travel to Iran and urged those already there to leave if possible. “Given the situation there we have issued few advisories asking Indian national to avoid all travel to Iran and Indian national who are already residential in Iran, to leave Iran by available means including commercial flights,” he said. He added that India is closely tracking developments and will act to protect its citizens. “We continue to closely watch the unfolding situation there and we will take all necessary steps for the welfare of our people.”
On India’s role at Iran’s Chabahar port, the MEA said operations are continuing under an existing sanctions exemption. “As you are aware, on 28 October 2025, the US Department of Treasury had issued a letter outlining the guidance on the conditional sanctions waiver valid till 26 April 2026. We remain engaged with the US side in working out this arrangement,” Jaiswal said. The Chabahar port project has been subject to US sanctions on Iran, though Washington has granted India limited waivers recognising the port’s importance for regional connectivity, including access to Afghanistan and Central Asia. Chabahar has been treated as a special case, with periodic extensions and conditions attached to the waiver, requiring close coordination between India and the United States.
