1,043 Indians helped out of Iran via Armenia and Azerbaijan; 4.26 lakh back from West Asia since 28 February
The Ministry of External Affairs said at an inter-ministerial briefing on 25 March 2026 that 1,043 Indian nationals, including 717 students, had crossed out of Iran via Armenia and Azerbaijan with the Indian Mission's help.
Summary
The Ministry of External Affairs said at an inter-ministerial briefing on 25 March 2026 that 1,043 Indian nationals, including 717 students, had crossed out of Iran via Armenia and Azerbaijan with the Indian Mission's help, while Indians in Israel were being helped to travel home via Jordan and transit through Saudi Arabia was being facilitated because of restrictions in Kuwait, Bahrain and Iraq. About 4,26,000 passengers had returned from the region to India since 28 February. The Shipping Ministry said 20 Indian-flagged vessels with about 540 Indian seafarers remained in the western Persian Gulf, and DG Shipping had helped repatriate more than 635 seafarers. In the June 2025 Iran–Israel conflict, India had run 'Operation Sindhu', launched on 18 June 2025, evacuating 4,415 Indians (3,597 from Iran and 818 from Israel) on 19 special flights.
Key facts
- Date
- 25 March 2026 — inter-ministerial briefing, National Media Centre
- Out of Iran
- 1,043 Indians (717 students, 326 others) via Armenia and Azerbaijan
- Israel
- Travel facilitated via Jordan
- Returned to India
- ~4,26,000 passengers since 28 February
- Seafarers
- 20 Indian-flagged vessels, ~540 seafarers in western Persian Gulf; 635+ repatriated
- Static link
- Operation Sindhu, launched 18 June 2025 — 4,415 evacuated (3,597 Iran, 818 Israel)
Practice MCQs 3 questions
Through which two countries were Indian nationals in Iran being assisted to travel to India, as stated on 25 March 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — Armenia and Azerbaijan
MEA said Indians in Iran were being assisted to travel to India via Armenia and Azerbaijan; 1,043 had crossed out with the Mission's help.
According to the inter-ministerial briefing of 25 March 2026, about how many passengers had returned to India from West Asia since 28 February?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — 4,26,000
Around 4,26,000 passengers had returned from the region to India since 28 February.
Consider the following statements about Operation Sindhu: 1. It was launched in June 2025 to evacuate Indian nationals from Iran and Israel. 2. More Indians were evacuated from Israel than from Iran under the operation. Which of the above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only 1 is correct. Operation Sindhu, launched on 18 June 2025, evacuated 4,415 Indians — 3,597 from Iran and 818 from Israel.