Operation Sindhu: Iran Opens Airspace for India, First Evacuation Flight Reaches Delhi Tonight
Iran grants India an exclusive air corridor as Operation Sindhu begins evacuating over 1,000 stranded Indian students from conflict-hit cities. First flight lands in Delhi tonight. Get latest updates.
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Iran Opens Airspace for India: First Batch of Stranded Indian Students to Return Home Tonight
New Delhi, June 20, 2025:
In a significant development amidst escalating tensions in the Middle East, Iran has opened its restricted airspace exclusively for Indian evacuation flights under the government’s emergency mission, Operation Sindhu. This strategic corridor has been established to facilitate the safe return of over 1,000 Indian students stranded in conflict-hit Iranian cities.
The first evacuation flight is scheduled to land at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport at 11:00 PM IST tonight, carrying home a group of relieved Indian nationals. Two more evacuation flights have been lined up for Saturday — one in the morning and another in the evening.
Iranian Airspace Closed to Most, Open Only for Indian Evacuations
Amid ongoing missile exchanges and drone strikes between Israeli and Iranian forces, Iran has maintained a closed airspace for most international flights. However, in a show of diplomatic coordination, an exclusive air corridor has been granted to India to conduct the evacuation safely.
India officially launched ‘Operation Sindhu’ on Wednesday, aimed at ensuring the swift and secure repatriation of Indian nationals from volatile regions of Iran, where the conflict with Israel has intensified.
Iranian embassy officials in New Delhi confirmed that the Iranian foreign ministry remains in close contact with the Indian Embassy in Tehran, particularly after reports surfaced of injuries among some Indian students during recent attacks.
‘Safety of Indians Abroad is Our Top Priority’: MEA
In an official statement, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) reaffirmed that the safety and security of Indian citizens overseas is the government’s highest priority. With over 4,000 Indian nationals, including a significant number of students, currently residing in Iran, the evacuation effort is being executed with meticulous coordination.
Earlier this week, 110 Indian students were successfully evacuated from northern Iran to Yerevan, Armenia by road. This critical operation was managed jointly by India’s diplomatic missions in Tehran and Yerevan. The students later boarded a special flight from Armenia’s capital at 14:55 hours on June 18, reaching New Delhi in the early hours of June 19.
The Indian government expressed gratitude to the governments of Iran and Armenia for their assistance in facilitating the safe passage of Indian citizens through their territories during this challenging time.
Most Students from Jammu & Kashmir
A majority of the evacuated students were enrolled at Urmia Medical University in Iran’s West Azerbaijan province, a region that has recently witnessed military escalations and missile activity due to its proximity to the Turkish border.
Notably, 90 out of the 110 students on the first evacuation flight were residents of Jammu and Kashmir, according to the Jammu and Kashmir Students’ Association.
Conflict Escalation: A Quick Recap
The latest Middle East conflict intensified when Israel launched ‘Operation Rising Lion’, targeting strategic nuclear infrastructure inside Iran. The offensive triggered massive retaliatory strikes by Tehran, including ballistic and hypersonic missile salvos alongside drone attacks. Reports confirm that over 20 Israeli civilians have been killed and several hundred injured in the attacks so far.
On Wednesday, Israeli fighter jets launched multiple airstrikes near Tehran, leading to evacuations in several northern districts of the capital. The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) claimed to have neutralized a nuclear facility, while Iranian state media reported retaliatory launches of hypersonic missiles aimed at key Israeli military installations.
Operation Sindhu: A Timely Lifeline
As hostilities persist, Operation Sindhu has emerged as a vital lifeline for Indian nationals stranded in the conflict zone. With more flights planned in the coming days, the Indian government is working tirelessly to ensure the complete evacuation of its citizens, reaffirming the nation’s commitment to protecting its people worldwide.