'Leave immediately': Indian Embassy advises Indians in Iran as death toll in protests crosses 2,000

The Indian Embassy in Tehran on Wednesday advised all Indian nationals stranded in Iran to leave the country immediately, given the ongoing protests against the Ayatollah Khamenei regime.

All Indian nationals — businesspersons, students, pilgrims, and tourists — have been asked to leave the country using available means, including commercial flights. The advisory comes as the death toll in Iran protests jumped to at least 2,571 people on Wednesday.

Indians have been urged to stay in touch with the Indian Embassy in Tehran, keep travel and identification documents ready, and monitor local developments. "It is reiterated that all Indian citizens and PIOS should exercise due caution, avoid areas of protests or demonstrations, stay in contact with the Indian Embassy in Iran and monitor local media for any developments," the advisory further read.

Those who are not registered with the Embassy have been asked to do so at the earliest. Emergency helpline numbers and email support have also been activated for assistance.  

Read full advisory by Indian Embassy in Tehran here

Iran protest news

The crisis in Iran has exacerbated as weeks-long protests show no signs of slowing down. Iran's judiciary on Wednesday signalled fast trials and executions for all those detained in nationwide protests despite a warning from US President Donald Trump.

On Tuesday, Trump called upon protestors to take over their institutions and urged them not to back down. He said that help was on the way without providing further details. Trump also called on Iran to show humanity to protestors amid the rising death toll in the crackdown. 

He said that he believes the killing is "significant" and his administration would "act accordingly". Moreover, some personnel were advised to leave the US military's Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar by Wednesday evening, as per Reuters. Al Udeid is the largest US base in West Asia housing over 10,000 troops. 

Meanwhile, Elon Musk's Starlink is now offering free service inside Iran, The Associated Press reported.