Land Routes, No Flights: How Indians Are Heading Back Home From Iran Amid Airspace Closure

Last Updated:March 17, 2026, 12:09 IST

India is evacuating citizens from Iran via land routes due to airspace closures amid the US, Israel, and Iran conflict. Nearly 650 Indians have crossed into Armenia and Azerbaijan.

As tensions escalate in West Asia amid the conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran, India has stepped up efforts to bring back its citizens stranded in Iran, with many returning via land routes due to prolonged airspace closures.

With Iranian airspace shut since the start of hostilities on February 28, hundreds of Indians have been unable to fly out directly. In response, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has been facilitating their evacuation through neighbouring countries such as Armenia and Azerbaijan, from where commercial flights to India remain operational.

According to MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, nearly 650 Indian nationals have already crossed into these countries in recent days. Of them, over 550 entered Armenia, while around 90 travelled to Azerbaijan. The group includes students, pilgrims and other visitors who were spread across different parts of Iran.

“These movements were facilitated by our embassy in Tehran. We helped them with visas and immigration formalities where required," Jaiswal said, adding that some have already returned to India while others are expected to arrive in the coming days.

Indian missions have been actively coordinating the effort, assisting citizens with documentation, transit logistics and safe passage across borders. Earlier, several students were relocated from Tehran to safer areas as a precautionary measure.

The Indian Embassy in Tehran remains operational and is in constant touch with nationals still in the country. Officials said nearly 9,000 Indians were in Iran when the conflict began.

The government has also set up a control room to address concerns and provide real-time assistance. Authorities have urged citizens to follow official advisories and remain in contact with embassies.

With air travel disrupted, these land evacuation routes have emerged as a crucial lifeline, enabling stranded Indians to navigate the crisis and make their way home safely despite ongoing regional instability.

News world Land Routes, No Flights: How Indians Are Heading Back Home From Iran Amid Airspace Closure

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