June 25:
India has begun the process of winding up its emergency evacuation operations from Israel and Iran following a temporary ceasefire between Israeli forces and Iran-backed militias. The Indian Embassy in Tehran on Tuesday announced the closure of its help desk in Mashhad, signaling a shift toward normalcy amid a tense but improving regional security situation.
Officials stated that while evacuations are being phased out, authorities will continue monitoring the situation for the next 48 hours to ensure the ceasefire holds.
“In light of the current calm and the ceasefire announcement, the help desk in Mashhad has been shut down,” said a senior official from the Indian mission. “We will, however, continue observing the ground situation for the next two days before fully withdrawing support operations.”
The help desk in Mashhad was set up earlier this month to assist Indian nationals stranded or requiring support in northeastern Iran, which had seen heightened tensions amid the cross-border conflict. The decision to close the desk is seen as a major step toward scaling down India’s crisis management efforts in the region.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) also confirmed that evacuations would no longer be conducted unless the situation deteriorates. Over 1,200 Indian nationals were evacuated in the last two weeks through Operation Suraksha, using a combination of military aircraft and commercial charters. The evacuees included tourists, students, and professionals based in both Israel and Iran.
“While the ceasefire is a welcome development, we advise Indian citizens in both countries to remain cautious. Non-essential travel should be avoided until further notice,” the MEA said in a statement.
Commercial flights between India and Israel/Iran have now resumed on a limited scale, with many of the remaining Indian nationals expected to return via civilian airlines. Emergency consular services will now be handled through standard diplomatic channels.
India’s move to scale back evacuations comes after multiple international efforts led to a negotiated ceasefire between the warring parties, following weeks of hostilities that saw missile attacks, airstrikes, and escalating threats across the region.
Diplomatic sources suggest that India’s cautious approach reflects both relief at the de-escalation and a recognition that the security environment remains fragile. “India will continue to monitor the situation and is prepared to respond quickly should the ceasefire collapse,” one official noted.
With this, Operation Suraksha is expected to formally conclude within the next two days unless the situation changes unexpectedly.
