For families across Delhi, the distant war in West Asia has become a profoundly personal ordeal. What began as routine calls from children studying medicine in Iran has now turned into frantic attempts to reconnect between explosions, blackouts and growing fear.
“I spoke to her early on Monday,” says 49-year-old Abdul Rashid from Old Delhi, struggling to steady his voice. “My daughter, who is in her sixth semester of MBBS at Islamic Azad University in Tehran, told me there were explosions near her college. She tried to sound brave, but I could hear the fear.”
She was meant to board a flight to India this week. Instead, she is now waiting for evacuation instructions as the conflict spirals into a full-scale military confrontation.
The escalation followed coordinated military strikes by the United States and Israel on February 28 under operations dubbed “Epic Fury” and “Lion’s Roar”, targeting sites across Tehran, Isfahan and Natanz. Iranian state media reported the killing of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in the attacks, along with several senior leaders. Tehran responded with “Truthful Promise 4”, launching waves of ballistic missiles and drones towards Israel and US military installations in the Gulf.
According to the Iranian Red Crescent, more than 550 people have been killed across multiple provinces since the hostilities began, with hundreds more injured. Independent estimates suggest the toll may be significantly higher. Casualties have also been reported in Israel and at US-linked installations in the region, underlining the widening scope of the conflict.
With explosions rattling cities, internet blackouts and phone networks severely disrupted, communication with loved ones has become sporadic. Nearly 1,200 Indian students — many of them medical undergraduates — are believed to be in Iran, unable to leave amid escalating violence and airspace disruptions.
In Malviya Nagar, Nusrat Jahan keeps her phone beside her pillow at night. “My daughter has to try at least 30 to 40 times before a call gets connected. Sometimes we don’t hear from her for 10 or 12 hours. Those hours feel endless,” she says. Her daughter had been preparing for an examination scheduled for March 5. “Everything stopped overnight. She says heavy bombing has taken place around her college premises. They don’t know if exams will happen or if they will be told to vacate.”
Food supplies are another concern. “They are surviving on limited rations in the hostel,” Nusrat says. “Shops are either closed or running out of stock. She was crying this morning. Everyone in the hostel is scared.”
In Seelampur, Mohammed Arif says his son has been asked to keep a small bag ready at all times. “He told me the embassy has instructed them to prepare a five-kilogram bag and be ready to move to safer locations like Qom. But shifting from one city to another does not remove the fear.”
Community representatives say thousands of Indian students are currently in Iran, including many from Delhi and Jammu and Kashmir. The Jammu and Kashmir Students Association has appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar to immediately intervene and facilitate relocation to safer zones until a full evacuation begins.
National convenor Nasir Khuehami says students have reported “fear, uncertainty and severe distress” amid repeated airstrikes and mobility restrictions. “Parents back home are deeply anxious. With airspace disruptions and growing instability, students are finding it increasingly difficult to secure safe passage,” he says.
Back in Okhla, Shabana Parveen has not slept properly in days. “We are not in regular touch because of communication disruption. She told me there were loud explosions near their campus building. After that, the line got cut.”
Many parents recall that in 2025, the government launched Operation Sindhu to bring back Indians from another conflict zone. “Our only hope is that something similar is done now,” says Rajeev Malhotra from Laxmi Nagar. “The government brought our children back safely once. We believe it can do so again.”
Advisory and evacuation options
Amid the worsening situation, the Ministry of External Affairs has advised all Indian nationals in Iran to exercise utmost caution, avoid unnecessary movements and remain indoors as far as possible. In an advisory, the Embassy of India in Tehran asked Indians to monitor news updates, maintain situational awareness and await further guidance.
The embassy has also issued emergency contact numbers: +989128109115, +989128109109, +989128109102 and +989932179359.
In a significant development, the Iranian government has announced that Indian nationals would be permitted to leave the country through designated land borders. Arrangements for the safe passage of Indians, including students, are being made in coordination with the Government of India.
Quoting Consulate General of the Islamic Republic of Iran Saeid Reza Mosayeb Motlagh, reports said that Iran has undertaken necessary arrangements for the evacuation of Indian students in coordination with Indian authorities. Motlagh stated that Indian students would not require special permission to exit the country and could approach designated land borders to leave.
“They can exit through land borders with countries like Afghanistan and Turkmenistan,” he said, adding that there are no pre-requisites at the check-posts other than carrying valid passports.
For anxious families in Delhi, however, official advisories offer only partial comfort.
“We don’t sleep at night,” Abdul Rashid says. “Every news alert feels personal. When we hear about missiles, we think — is that near her college? Is she hiding somewhere?”
Across Jamia Nagar, Rohini, Laxmi Nagar and Okhla, parents sit awake long after midnight, staring at silent screens, waiting for a message that simply says: I am safe.
