Jaishankar speaks to Iran’s Foreign Minister amid rising tensions, India issues fresh travel advisory

“Received a call from Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi. We discussed the evolving situation in and around Iran,” Jaishankar said in a post on X.

The conversation came shortly after India issued a fresh advisory urging its citizens to avoid travel to Iran due to recent developments in the country.

“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 Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in its advisory.

Earlier, on January 5, India had advised its nationals to avoid all non-essential travel to Iran.

The MEA also asked Indian citizens and Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) currently in Iran to exercise heightened caution.

“Indian citizens and PIOs currently in Iran should avoid areas of protests or demonstrations and closely monitor news as well as updates from the Embassy of India in Tehran,” the advisory said.

Indian nationals residing in Iran on long-term visas have also been advised to register with the Indian Embassy if they have not already done so.

Iran has been witnessing violent protests across several cities, leading to multiple deaths and escalating tensions in the region.

Meanwhile, the United States has advised its citizens to “leave Iran now,” urging them to consider departing via land routes through Armenia or Turkey.

A security alert issued by the US Virtual Embassy in Iran warned that protests were intensifying and could turn violent, resulting in arrests and injuries.

The US alert also cited increased security measures, road closures, disruptions to public transport, internet shutdowns, and restrictions on mobile and landline networks.

Several airlines have reportedly limited or suspended flights to and from Iran, with some cancellations expected to continue until at least January 16.