'Haven’t Slept In Days': Indian Students In Iran Living In Fear, Govt Rushes To Rescue Them

Last Updated:June 16, 2025, 11:38 IST

Imtisal, a 22-year-old third-year MBBS student at Shahid Beheshti University in Tehran, says that over 350 Indian students are currently enrolled in his university alone.

Israeli air defence systems are activated to intercept Iranian missiles over the Israeli city of Tel Aviv amid a fresh barrage of Iranian rockets on June 16, 2025. (Photo: AFP)

Hundreds of Indian medical students stranded in Iran are living in constant fear as Israeli airstrikes continue to intensify across the country. With explosions reported just a few kilometres from student hostels, many are now confined to basements, pleading with the Indian government for urgent evacuation.

Among them is 22-year-old Imtisal Mohidin, a third-year MBBS student at Shahid Beheshti University in Tehran, who described sleepless nights, suspended classes, and growing panic as the conflict escalates. “We are stuck inside our apartment basement… we haven’t slept in three days," he told ANI, echoing the anxiety felt by students across the region.

Imtisal, a 22-year-old third-year MBBS student at Shahid Beheshti University in Tehran, says that over 350 Indian students are currently enrolled in his university alone.

“We are stuck inside our apartment basement. We hear blasts every night. One of the explosions was just 5 km away. We haven’t slept in three days," he told the news agency over the phone.

Originally from Handwara in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kupwara district, Imtisal added that the university has suspended classes and students are avoiding movement due to the ongoing bombardment.

Shahid Beheshti University, known for its affordable MBBS programme, has long been a destination for Indian nationals. Notably, three Iranian nuclear scientists who were killed in Israel’s recent strikes were professors at the same university.

While university authorities have remained in limited contact, students said they are now primarily relying on safety advisories and communication from the Indian Embassy in Tehran.

“We request the Government of India to evacuate us before the situation worsens. The Embassy has shared helplines and is in touch, but we are frightened and need to go home," said Imtisal.

In a fresh public advisory, the Indian Embassy in Tehran has asked all Indian nationals and persons of Indian origin to remain indoors and monitor official updates. “We request everyone in Iran to join the below given Telegram link to receive updates on the situation from the Embassy. Kindly note that this Telegram link is ONLY for those Indian nationals who are currently in Iran," the embassy said in a post on X. Emergency helplines have also been issued.

Faizan Nabi, a first-year MBBS student at Kerman University of Medical Sciences, said while Kerman is relatively safer than Tehran, the fear is spreading quickly.

“We heard gunshots in our city today. My friends in Tehran are terrified. We were advised to store drinking water for 3–4 days. That’s how bad it is," said Faizan.

A resident of Srinagar, Faizan added, “I’ve been getting 10 calls a day from my parents. The internet is so slow that I can’t even send a WhatsApp message quickly. We came here to become doctors. Now we’re just trying to stay alive."

Midhat, a fourth-year MBBS student at Iran University of Medical Science, said the first night of strikes was the most horrifying.

“The blasts were not far — just a few kilometres away. Everyone was panicking. My family keeps checking on me. We’re constantly monitoring the news," said the student from Sopore in Jammu and Kashmir.

While she appreciated the Embassy’s WhatsApp communication, she expressed concern over the lack of support from her university. “Most of us are scared and staying inside. We don’t know how long this will go on," she said.

With Iranian airspace restricted and no clear end in sight to the escalating violence, Indian students in Iran are now waiting for a resolution from the Indian government.

(With inputs from ANI)

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