In a rare gesture amid heightened Iran–Israel tensions, Iran has granted India exclusive opening of its airspace for evacuation missions under Operation Sindhu, facilitating the return of its nationals stranded in the region.

Special Charter Flights from Iran to India

Mahan Air is operating chartered routes from Mashhad to Delhi to repatriate around 1,000 Indian nationals, mainly students. “We have scheduled these chartered flights for the Indians who want to get out,” confirmed officials, underscoring the mission’s priority for citizen safety in unstable conditions. The inaugural flight is set to arrive in Delhi tonight, with two more departures on Saturday.

Tensions Ground Most Flights

Following missile and drone exchanges between Israel and Iran, much of Iran’s airspace has remained closed to most international carriers. However, India has secured a dedicated evacuee corridor. Iranian officials stressed that all Indians currently in the country are safe and that more flights will be organised as needed.

Earlier in the week, 110 Indian students studying at Urmia Medical University were escorted out of Iran’s West Azerbaijan province into Armenia via coordinated efforts by the Indian embassies in Iran and Armenia. They then boarded a government-arranged flight from Yerevan on June 18, arriving in New Delhi early on June 19.

Diplomatic Cooperation Acknowledged

An MEA spokesperson expressed gratitude:
“The Indian government is grateful to the governments of Iran and Armenia for facilitating the safe passage of Indian nationals through their territories.”

Notably, 90 of the evacuated students originate from Jammu and Kashmir, as per the local student association.

Operation Extended to Israel

Following the Iran evacuation, India has also launched an operation to evacuate its citizens from Israel. Those choosing to leave are being guided to safe exit points via land borders; once past Israeli airspace, they will be flown home. “Their travel from Israel to India will be facilitated through the land borders and thereafter by air to India,” said an official statement from the Ministry of External Affairs.

Context of Escalation

The crisis stems from Israel’s “Operation Rising Lion”, aimed at Iran’s nuclear facilities, which sparked retaliatory missile and drone strikes by Tehran. The confrontations have reportedly resulted in over 20 civilian deaths and hundreds injured in Israel. Israel responded with airstrikes near Tehran, and Iran reportedly launched hypersonic missiles targeting military installations.