First Group of Indian Students to Land in Delhi Tonight After Iran Opens Airspace

Iran Opens Airspace for Indian Evacuation Flights; First Batch of Students to Reach Delhi Tonight.

In a rare diplomatic gesture amid escalating conflict, Iran has opened its restricted airspace exclusively for India to evacuate its citizens stranded in the region. Over 1,000 Indian students, caught in the crossfire of missile exchanges between Iran and Israel, are set to be evacuated under the government’s emergency mission, Operation Sindhu.

First Evacuees to Land Tonight
The first evacuation flight is scheduled to land in Delhi at 11:00 PM IST tonight, with two more flights—one in the morning and another in the evening—slated for Saturday. The special corridor granted by Iran allows Indian aircraft to bypass restricted zones where airspace remains closed to most international traffic due to ongoing military activity.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed the corridor was opened following close coordination between Indian and Iranian authorities. “India accords highest priority to the safety and security of Indian nationals abroad,” the MEA said in a statement.

Over 4,000 Indians in Iran, Hundreds Still at Risk
Iran is home to over 4,000 Indian nationals, roughly half of whom are students. Many were stranded in volatile areas, including West Azerbaijan province, where troop movements and missile launches have intensified near the Turkish border. Most evacuees from the first flight were students of Urmia Medical University, with 90 out of 110 from Jammu and Kashmir, according to the Jammu and Kashmir Students’ Association.

Earlier this week, a group of 110 students was evacuated by road to Yerevan, Armenia, from where they boarded a special flight to Delhi. That operation was carried out through joint efforts by Indian missions in Tehran and Yerevan, underlining regional cooperation amid a worsening security situation.

Escalating Iran-Israel Conflict
The evacuation comes as military tensions spike between Israel and Iran, triggered by Israel’s Operation Rising Lion, which reportedly targeted nuclear sites deep within Iranian territory. Tehran responded with massive missile and drone strikes, killing over 20 civilians in Israel and injuring hundreds. In retaliation, Israeli jets launched attacks near Tehran, with reports of evacuations in the city’s northern districts.

Iranian state media also claimed the deployment of hypersonic missiles targeting Israeli military assets, marking a dangerous new phase in the conflict.

Diplomatic Cooperation Amid Crisis
Indian officials expressed gratitude to the governments of Iran and Armenia for facilitating the safe passage of Indian nationals. An MEA spokesperson emphasized the importance of international cooperation during times of crisis:

“The Indian government is grateful to both Iran and Armenia for enabling the evacuation of our citizens through swift and coordinated efforts.” As Operation Sindhu continues over the weekend, more evacuation flights are expected. Authorities are working to ensure the safe return of all Indian citizens from high-risk zones.