New Delhi/Tehran. Following the announcement of a ceasefire between Israel and Iran, the Indian Embassy in Iran has begun winding up its emergency evacuation operations under Operation Sindhu, which had facilitated the safe return of thousands of Indian nationals since the West Asian conflict began on June 13.
On Tuesday (June 24, 2025), the Embassy officially closed its help desk in Mashhad, a key hub for evacuation efforts in Iran. “Since there has been an announcement of ceasefire, the Embassy is gradually winding up the evacuation exercise initiated during the military conflict in Iran,” the Embassy in Tehran said in a statement.
Indian citizens still requiring help or advice have been asked to reach out via the Embassy’s Telegram channel or the emergency helplines, which will remain operational for a few more days to monitor the situation and support any remaining needs.
2,295 Indians Evacuated from Iran
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) reported that 2,295 Indian nationals had been evacuated from Iran since the start of Operation Sindhu. The last evacuation flight from Mashhad landed in India early Tuesday, carrying 292 Indians, along with two Nepali nationals — Ganesh P. Pokhrel and Suman Gaire — as confirmed by the Embassy of Nepal.
In light of the ceasefire, the Embassy has advised Indian citizens not to proceed to Mashhad for evacuation and instead remain where they are unless instructed otherwise.
Evacuations from Israel Continue
Coinciding with the ceasefire declaration, India also ramped up efforts to evacuate its citizens from Israel. On Tuesday morning, 161 Indians arrived in India from Israel via Amman, Jordan, since Israeli airports remain closed due to ongoing security risks.
This was followed by the evacuation of 268 more Indians from Israel on a C-17 aircraft of the Indian Air Force, which airlifted them from Sharm-el-Sheikh, Egypt, to Delhi by 11 a.m. on June 24. In total, 594 Indians have been evacuated from Israel under Operation Sindhu.
Ceasefire Confirmed
The ceasefire between Israel and Iran was formally declared by U.S. President Donald Trump, who urged both sides to de-escalate following weeks of cross-border hostilities that had endangered regional stability and led to a massive evacuation effort by several countries, including India.
The Ministry of External Affairs welcomed the ceasefire announcement and reaffirmed India’s commitment to the safety of its citizens abroad, thanking partner nations for their coordination in supporting evacuation logistics during the crisis.
