Shashi Tharoor Flags Iran Protests as ‘Very Serious’, Says Information Scarce

Shashi Tharoor Flags ‘Very Serious’ Situation in Iran Amid Protests, MEA Advises Indians to Avoid Travel.

Amid escalating protests in Iran, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on Wednesday described the situation as “very serious” and flagged growing concerns over the country’s stability. As Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Tharoor warned that developments in Iran could intensify in the coming days.

Speaking to ANI, he highlighted the difficulty in obtaining reliable information due to an ongoing internet blackout. “It looks very serious. But we are not getting much information out of Iran; the internet has been cut. All we know is what we are getting in the media… My understanding is that things are grim in Iran. 3,000 protesters have apparently been killed,” he said.

Tharoor added that the next few days could be critical for the Khamenei regime, which is facing “very difficult circumstances.”

MEA Advises Indians Against Travel

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) issued a warning urging Indians to avoid travel to Iran until further notice. “In view of the ongoing developments in Iran, Indian nationals are once again strongly advised to avoid travel to the Islamic Republic of Iran until further notice,” the MEA stated. This follows an earlier advisory issued on January 5.

Airspace Closure Amid Unrest

Iran also extended its airspace closure on Thursday without explanation, disrupting global aviation on a key East-West route. The country’s protests, now in their 20th day, began over rising inflation and a steep fall in the national currency but have since spread nationwide, affecting more than 280 locations.