New Delhi: The Indian government on Monday issued an advisory against non-essential travel to Iran for its nationals, citing “recent developments”.
“Indian nationals are advised to avoid non-essential travel to the Islamic Republic of Iran until further notice. Indian citizens and PIOs currently in Iran should exercise due caution, avoid areas of protests or demonstrations, and closely monitor news as well as the website and social media handles of the Embassy of India in Tehran. Indian nationals living in Iran on resident-visas are advised to register with the Indian Embassy, if not already done so,” the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement.
Protests in Iran over worsening economic crisis and a sharp fall of the national have turned violent in several areas. Angry demonstrators, highlighting matters ranging from price rise to human rights issues, have been calling for the end of the regime under supreme leader Ali Khamenei as the protests have spread to around 75 cities and 222 locations.
The protests continued during the weekend despite a crackdown after the country’s supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, addressed protesters as “rioters”.
In his first public comments since protests erupted across the country, Khamenei declared that “rioters must be put in their place”.
Khamenei’s remarks came a day after Donald Trump warned that the United States would “come to their rescue” if Tehran “violently kills peaceful protesters.”
Khamenei dismissed Trump’s statement as empty rhetoric. “That ranting American sits there talking about the Iranian nation, spewing a combination of slander and promises. False promises! Deception!” said Khamenei.
