Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) President Mehbooba Mufti. File | Photo credit: PTI
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti on Thursday (15 January 2026) sought the Union government’s intervention for the safe return of students, including Kashmiris, from Iran amid the prevailing tension there.
This comes a day after parents of several Kashmiri students studying in Iran expressed concern over the situation there and appealed to the Center to facilitate the return of their children.
“Thousands of students from across the country, including Kashmir, are stranded in Iran amid the current volatile situation. This has caused deep fear and anxiety among anxious parents who are desperate for the safety of their children. Urge S. Jaishankar and the MEA to intervene urgently to ensure their safe return,” Ms Mufti said in a post on X.
Thousands of students from across the country including Kashmir are stranded in Iran amid the current volatile situation. This has caused deep fear and anxiety with anxious parents desperately worried for the safety of their children. Urge @DrSJaishankar and @MEEAIndia on…
– mehbooba mufti (@mehboobamufti) January 15, 2026
According to estimates, a little over 10,000 Indians, including students, are currently living in Iran.
In a new advisory, the Indian embassy in Tehran has urged all Indians, including students, pilgrims, businessmen and tourists, to leave Iran by available means of transport, including commercial flights.
Protests began late last month in Tehran after Iran’s currency, the rial, fell to a record low. The protests have since spread to all 31 provinces, evolving from agitation against economic hardship to a demand for political change.
The overall situation in the country has worsened dramatically in recent days, as the number of victims of nationwide protests has risen to more than 2,500, according to the US Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA).
Published – 15 Jan 2026 12:50 IST
