• Source:JND
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As the Israel-Iran conflict intensifies, the Indian government has launched Operation Sindhu to evacuate its citizens from affected regions, prioritising their safety amid growing regional hostilities. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed the launch of the evacuation effort on Wednesday, June 18.

In a statement, the MEA said, “In view of the recent developments between Israel and Iran, the Government of India has decided to evacuate from Israel those Indian nationals who wish to leave. Their travel from Israel to India will be facilitated through the land borders and thereafter by air to India.”

The Embassy of India in Tel Aviv is coordinating the evacuation arrangements. Indian nationals currently in Israel are urged to register on the embassy’s website and to contact the 24/7 control room set up for assistance. The embassy also reiterated earlier advisories, urging citizens to remain vigilant and follow Israeli safety guidelines from the Home Front Command.

The Indian government underscored its commitment to the well-being of its citizens abroad, stating that it is “closely monitoring the situation” and “remains in continuous touch with the community to extend all feasible assistance.”

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110 Indian Students Evacuated From Iran

India’s mission in Tehran is also actively working to evacuate Indians from areas in Iran, seeing increased hostilities. The initiative, also covered under Operation Sindhu, has helped relocate individuals to safer zones and facilitate onward movement.

Among the evacuees were 110 Indian students located in northern Iran, who were transported by road to Armenia under the supervision of Indian missions in Tehran and Yerevan. These students departed from Yerevan and are expected to reach Delhi early Thursday morning. The MEA expressed gratitude to the governments of Armenia and Iran for their cooperation during the evacuation process.

The evacuation comes as the Iran-Israel conflict enters its seventh day. An Iranian missile recently struck an Israeli hospital, prompting further Israeli retaliation. Reports indicate that Israel has launched airstrikes on at least 100 targets within Iran, including nuclear-related facilities at Arak and Natanz.

In response to the deteriorating situation, the US has increased its military presence in the region. A third US Navy destroyer entered the eastern Mediterranean, and a second carrier strike group is en route to the Arabian Sea. While the Pentagon has described the buildup as “defensive,” analysts suggest it may support future Israeli strikes or pressure Iran diplomatically.

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US President Donald Trump, commenting on whether he would order attacks on Iranian nuclear sites, said, “I may do it, I may not do it.” He added that the next week could be critical: “The next week is going to be very big, maybe less than a week.”