Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. File | Photo credit: PTI
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday (Jan 15, 2026) said he spoke to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar about the evolving situation in Iran and was assured that all necessary steps are being taken to protect the interests of students from the unrest-hit Union Territory there.
India on Wednesday (Jan 14) asked all its nationals residing in Iran to leave the country by all means possible and avoid any travel to the country, as tensions mounted over possible US military intervention over Tehran’s crackdown on nationwide protests that have killed over 2,500 people.
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In a post on his personal X handle, Mr Abdullah said he had spoken to Mr Jaishankar.
“I just spoke to EAM @DrSJaishankar ji about the evolving situation in Iran. He shared his assessment of the situation on the ground and the plans that the Ministry of External Affairs is working on,” he said.
“I am grateful for his assurance that all steps will be taken to protect the interests and lives of students and other people from J&K who are now in Iran,” Abdullah added.
Parents of Kashmiri students studying in Iran have appealed to the Center to bring their children back amid ongoing tensions.
Dozens of parents also gathered at the Press Enclave here, urging the government to intervene.
According to estimates, a little over 10,000 Indians, including students, are currently living in Iran.
The Indian Embassy in Tehran has urged all Indians, including students, pilgrims, traders and tourists, to leave Iran by available means of transport, including commercial ones.
He also urged Indian nationals to keep their travel and immigration documents, including passports, readily available. Indians living in Iran on residency visas have also been advised to register at the embassy.
The overall situation in Iran has worsened dramatically in the past few days as the death toll from nationwide protests has risen to more than 2,500, according to the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA).
Published – 15 Jan 2026 14:30 IST
