After Iran, MEA Begins Operation to Evacuate Indians from Israel Amid West Asia Conflict

India has initiated the evacuation of its citizens from Israel due to escalating violence in West Asia, following US strikes on three nuclear sites in Iran.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced this week that India will evacuate Indian citizens “who wish to leave” Israel. Approximately 18,000 Indian nationals currently reside in Israel.

“Their travel from Israel to India will be facilitated through land borders and thereafter by air to India,” MEA stated. “The government of India accords the highest priority to the safety and security of Indian nationals abroad,” it added.

Indians Evacuated from Iran

India has initiated Operation Sindhu to evacuate its citizens from Iran as military strikes intensified in the region. Over 800 Indian citizens, including more than 300 students, have been repatriated on three chartered flights, two from Mashhad and one via Ashgabat in Turkmenistan.

The evacuation efforts follow rapidly escalating tensions between Israel and Iran. Hostilities began last week when Israel launched Operation Rising Lion, targeting Iran’s nuclear and military infrastructure as well as key generals and nuclear experts. Israel alleged that Iran was on the verge of developing nuclear weapons.

The situation escalated on Sunday when U.S. forces joined Israel’s offensive, launching airstrikes on three key Iranian nuclear facilities: Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan. President Donald Trump described the operation as “a very successful attack,” marking the first U.S. military strike on Iranian nuclear sites since the 1979 revolution.

Israel–Iran Conflict

The United States directly struck three Iranian nuclear facilities, Fordow, Natanz and Esfahan, after days of crossfire between Iran and Israel, which Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said was supported by the U.S.

“We have completed our very successful attack on the three nuclear sites in Iran, including Fordow, Natanz and Esfahan. All planes are now outside Iran airspace. A full payload of bombs was dropped on the primary site, Fordow. All planes are safely on their way home. Congratulations to our great American warriors. There is not another military in the world that could have done this. Now is the time for peace! Thank you for your attention to this matter,” Trump announced on Truth Social.

White House officials later reported that President Trump and Prime Minister Netanyahu spoke following the strikes. In a subsequent address, Trump demanded “quick peace” from Tehran, led by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.