Until 1947, Iran—India’s neighboring country—experienced a turbulent political journey, particularly during the 20th century in the aftermath of World War II. Iran shares deep cultural and historical links with India, reflected in the title once held by its former monarch, Shah Reza Pahlavi, who was known as Aryamehr, meaning “Sun of the Aryans.” Until 1954, Iran functioned as a democratic state under the leadership of Prime Minister Mohammad Mossadegh, who had been elected by the people and was committed to modernizing the nation. However, his decision to nationalize Iran’s oil industry in the country’s national interest provoked strong opposition from Western powers, especially Britain and the United States. This ultimately led to foreign-backed political intervention, the removal of Mossadegh, and the reinstatement of Shah Reza Pahlavi.
The Shah remained in power until 1979, when Iran underwent another major political transformation with the Islamic Revolution led by Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini. This revolution replaced the monarchy with a religious regime, fundamentally altering Iran’s political and social structure. While Western nations initially maintained strategic interests in Iran, the dynamics began to shift in the early 21st century as Iran sought to strengthen its regional influence and pursue nuclear capabilities independently. These ambitions raised concerns in the United States and Europe, as they threatened to tilt the balance of power in West Asia away from the Western bloc. During this period, Iran received support from Russia and China, further heightening Western anxieties.
By 2026, however, growing public dissatisfaction has emerged within Iran against the Shia Islamic system established in 1979. Many Iranians accuse the regime of suppressing basic human rights, with women in particular facing severe restrictions and systemic discrimination. As a result, widespread protests have erupted across the country. The unrest has intensified to such an extent that reports suggest more than 2,500 civilians have been killed during clashes with security forces. The current administration under Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is attempting to suppress the uprising through harsh measures, a stance that has drawn strong criticism and opposition from Western countries and the United States.
US President Donald Trump has clearly stated that if Iran continues to oppress its citizens in this manner, his country may even take military action against Iran. The US is considered a champion of human rights worldwide, although Mr. Trump’s views and policies on this matter are considered highly selective. The way he recently orchestrated a regime change in the South American country of Venezuela by having the president and his wife abducted has shaken the entire world. However, it is being said that the US cannot attempt such a move in Iran because Iran’s military strength is considerable, especially its arsenal of state-of-the-art missiles that could devastate US military bases in West Asia. The whole world witnessed last June how the US and Israel jointly attacked Iran, but this war lasted only 12 days, and the US had to agree to a ceasefire. However, the situation today is different, and the Iranian people themselves are protesting against their government and demanding a change of power, which the Khamenei administration is trying to suppress by oppressing the people. This is making the situation in Iran increasingly volatile, as Mr. Trump is urging the Iranian people to continue their protests for their rights, assuring them that the US will soon come to their aid. Trump has also warned that if Iran executes protesting citizens through its judicial system, it will have to face the consequences. Israel is the US’s biggest ally in West Asia, possessing advanced weapons technology and having experience in defeating Arab countries in previous wars. On the other hand, Iran is not backing down from taking harsh measures against the protesters, and the head of its judicial system has stated that the rebels should be tried as soon as possible and given appropriate punishment. As a result, the situation in Iran is becoming politically and strategically very unstable and uncertain. Therefore, the Modi government in India has advised Indian citizens residing in Iran to try to leave the country as soon as possible and to stay away from protest sites.
In this context, the Indian Embassy in Tehran, the capital of Iran, will provide full assistance to all Indian citizens. The Indian government had taken similar action in June 2025, evacuating more than four thousand Indian citizens residing in Iran and hundreds in Israel via special flights. Indians travel to Iran for various reasons, including as students, religious pilgrims, and businesspeople, and their safety is the responsibility of their home country. Therefore, the Indian government, anticipating potential future risks, has issued this warning. The main reason for this is believed to be that the current Iranian government is resorting to using lethal force against protesters, and US President Trump has stated that his country will not tolerate such actions under any circumstances, which could lead to a military conflict between Iran and the United States. The Modi government is taking this step to protect its citizens from such a situation.
