Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Sunday evening raised urgent concerns about the safety of Kashmiri students in Iran following an Israeli airstrike on the Hujat Dost Ali hostel in Tehran, which left several students with minor injuries.
In a statement posted on X, Abdullah confirmed he spoke with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar to address the welfare and safety of the students stranded amid escalating tensions between Israel and Iran.
According to Abdullah, Jaishankar assured that the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) is in close communication with Iranian authorities and is committed to taking all necessary steps to ensure the safety of Indian students in the country. The Chief Minister has also written to the External Affairs Minister, urging the relocation of the affected students within Iran or their evacuation once the airspace reopens.
Around 1,300 Kashmiri students are studying in Iran, the majority of them in medical courses, MBBS, according to parents and the JK Students Association.
The Israeli strike on June 13, 2025, targeted multiple sites across Iran, including nuclear and military facilities, as part of Operation Rising Lion. The attack on the Hujat Dost Ali hostel in Tehran, which houses many Kashmiri students, has heightened fears among their families in India.
The Indian Embassy in Tehran has issued advisory urging Indian nationals to remain vigilant, avoid unnecessary travel and follow local safety protocols. The MEA has reiterated India’s concern over the escalating conflict, calling for restraint and dialogue to prevent further regional instability.
As the situation in Iran remains volatile, with retaliatory missile strikes reported between Iran and Israel, the Indian Government continues to monitor developments closely to ensure the safety of its citizens. During the day, dozens of parents assembled in Srinagar’s Lal Chowk area and urged the Government of India to evacuate their children. Mothers were in tears and sobbing. “We can’t sleep or eat, as we are worried about our children,” they said.
In response to the fervent appeals by the parents, the J and K Government said it has set up a control room and asked their families to contact the helpline numbers.