The Indian government has issued a formal travel advisory, strongly recommending its citizens to postpone any non-essential visits to Iran. This move comes as widespread protests continue to grip the nation, raising concerns over safety and security.
MEA's Official Advisory for Indian Citizens
On Monday, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) released a statement addressing the situation. The ministry explicitly advised Indian nationals to avoid non-essential travel to the Islamic Republic of Iran until further notice. For the Indian community already present in the country, including Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs), the advisory urged them to exercise due caution in their daily activities.
The official statement further instructed citizens to steer clear of any areas where protests or large demonstrations are taking place. It emphasized the importance of staying informed by closely monitoring local news and official updates from the Embassy of India in Tehran through its website and social media channels.
Origin and Spread of the Iranian Protests
The current wave of unrest has its roots in economic frustrations. The demonstrations initially began on December 28 in the capital city of Tehran, where shopkeepers staged strikes to voice their anger over soaring prices and a stagnant economy.
Since that initial spark, the protests have escalated both in scope and nature. What started as economic grievances have rapidly transformed into broader political demands. The unrest has spread far beyond Tehran, with reports indicating significant geographical reach.
Scale of the Demonstrations and Casualties
According to a tally compiled by the AFP news agency, which relies on official statements and local media reports, the protests have extended to a substantial part of the country. Demonstrations have been recorded in 25 out of Iran's 31 provinces.
The agency reports that at least 45 cities have been affected, with a concentration in smaller and medium-sized urban centres located in the western regions of Iran. The situation has, at times, turned violent. Iranian officials have confirmed that at least 12 people have lost their lives in localized clashes since December 30.
The Indian government's advisory underscores the volatile and unpredictable nature of the current environment in Iran. It reflects a standard precautionary measure taken by nations to ensure the safety of their citizens abroad during periods of civil unrest. Indian travellers with plans to visit Iran are advised to heed this warning and contact the embassy for any urgent assistance.
