The Indian Embassy in Iran issued a fresh advisory, urging Indian citizens in the Islamic republic leave avoid non-essential travel. The fresh advsiory came as the death toll in the protests surged past 2,000 amid escalating tensions in the country.
Indian citizens, including students and pilgrims, were advised to exercise due caution, avoid areas of protests and demonstrations, stay in contact with the Indian Embassy in Iran and monitor local media for latest developments.
To facilitate support, the embassy has activated emergency helplines and shared multiple contact numbers and an official email ID for consular assistance. Indians who have not yet registered with the embassy have been urged to do so on the ministry of external affairs’ online portal, with families in India requested to complete registration on their behalf if internet access in Iran is disrupted.
The protests in Iran which began amidst the worsening economic conditions and rising cost of living, after its national currency hit record low against US dollar at 1.4 million Rial against $1 US have now enetered it’s third week. The oil rich Islamic Republic has been under sacntions for years tuning it’s economy fragile.
The ongoing protest are the most intense aggitations Iran has seen in a decade and comes as the biggest test for the country’s theocracy.Meanwhile, US has threaten strikes against the Middle Eastern nations if it doesn’t scale back it crackdown. American President Donald Trump on Tuesday urged Iranian protesters to “keep protesting and take over country’s institutions” as the purported “help is on the way.”A senior Iranian official said on Wednesday that all communications between Tehran and Washington have been halted amidst the contstant threats issued by Trump.
Meanwhile, some US personnel based in Qatar have been advised to leave, which is United States largest military base in Middle East. Last year in a similar move US had recalled some soldiers from the same base before launching strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities.
What else has the advisory said?
Indian nationals have been requested to carry their travel and immigration documents, including their passports and identity cards.
“The emergency contact helplines of the Indian Embassy are provided below: Mobile Numbers: +989128109115; +989128109109; +989128109102; +989932179359. Email: cons.tehran@mea.gov.in,” the embassy said.
the embassy has also urged all Indian nationals in Iran, who have not yet registered with the Indian embassy, to do so using this link – https://www.meaers.com/request/home.
The advisory also comes a day after the US urged its nationals to depart the country by land via Turkey or Armenian border.
About Iran protests
Large-scale anti-government protests erupted across the country since December last year amid widespread discontent among the youth over prolonged economic crisis.
The inflation rate in Iran has crossed 40 per cent and several protesters have also shut shop in protest against the current circumstances.
26-Year-Old Iranian Protestor Soltani Scheduled to be Executed Today
Erfan Soltani, the 26-year-old Iranian detained during anti-Khamanei protests on January 8, is scheduled to be executed early on Wednesday (January 14), according to news reports. Soltani, who had defied warnings from the Khamenei regime not to join the protests, would be the first hanging execution linked to the nationwide anti-Khamenei unrest after being charged with “Moharebeh”, meaning “enmity against God”.
Soltani’s family, now understandably frightened and terrorised, have been warned not to speak to anyone, with authorities threatening that more family members would be arrested if they did so.
Soltani’s execution, carried out within a week of his arrest, has triggered international alarm, with legal experts warning that Iran might be resorting to what amount to “field executions”. They say such summary killings without due process are being used to crush dissent, with Soltani’s case held up as a chilling example amid escalating protests against Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
Also Read| Iran Unrest- 26-Year-Old Protestor Soltani Scheduled to be Executed Today
