The Embassy of India in Tehran has issued a fresh advisory on April 23, 2026, strongly advising Indian citizens not to travel to Iran by air or land, and directing all Indian nationals currently in Iran to leave the country through designated land border routes in strict coordination with the Embassy.
The advisory, the latest in a series of escalating travel warnings issued by the Indian mission in Tehran since the outbreak of the US-Iran war on February 28, comes even as some flights between India and Iran have resumed following the ceasefire extension announced by President Trump in the early hours of April 22.
What the Advisory Says
The Embassy has issued four specific directions. Indian citizens are strongly advised not to travel to Iran — whether by air or land. Airspace restrictions and operational uncertainties due to regional tensions continue to affect international flight operations to and from Iran. All Indian nationals currently in Iran are directed to leave the country through designated land border routes, strictly in coordination with the Embassy. The Embassy has provided mobile numbers and an email address for guidance and coordination.
The Emergency contact numbers are +989128109115, +989128109109, +989128109102 and +989932179359. The Embassy email is [email protected].
Why the Advisory Is Significant Despite the Ceasefire Extension
The timing of this advisory is notable. Trump extended the ceasefire in the early hours of April 22 — buying 3 to 5 additional days for Iran to present a unified proposal. Iran Air has announced the resumption of domestic flights. Some international flight operations between India and Iran have reportedly commenced, as referenced in the advisory itself.
Despite all of that, India’s Embassy in Tehran is not only maintaining its travel warning but actively reiterating that Indian nationals already in Iran should leave via land border routes rather than wait for air travel to normalise. This reflects the MEA’s assessment that the operational and security environment in Iran remains too uncertain to rely on air connectivity — even a reinstated flight route can be suspended at hours’ notice if the ceasefire collapses or if airspace is restricted again.
The specific direction to use designated land border routes — rather than waiting for flights — is the most operationally significant element of the advisory. India is clearly prioritising getting its nationals out of Iran through the most reliable available route, even if that route is more arduous, rather than having them wait in Iran for air services that remain uncertain.
The India-Iran Civilian Context
India has significant people-to-people ties with Iran — a large Indian student community, business travellers, pilgrims visiting Shia holy sites, and workers employed across various sectors. The Embassy advisory applies to all Indian nationals regardless of the reason for their presence, and the urgency of the language — “strongly advised,” “strictly in coordination with the Embassy” — reflects the MEA’s concern about the safety of its citizens in a conflict zone where the ceasefire remains conditional and fragile.
The advisory being issued specifically on April 23 — the day West Bengal Phase 1 polling is happening and one day after the ceasefire extension was announced — confirms that India’s foreign ministry is not treating the ceasefire extension as a security normalisation signal for its citizens. The uncertainty is real, the advisory reflects it, and Indian citizens in Iran are being asked to act on it without delay.
Indian citizens in Iran who need assistance should contact the Embassy immediately at the numbers and email provided in the advisory and follow the designated land border route guidance issued by the mission.
Disclaimer: This article is based on an official advisory issued by the Embassy of India in Tehran on April 23, 2026. Indian citizens in Iran are urged to follow official MEA and Embassy communications directly and contact the Embassy immediately for guidance.