Mehbooba Mufti wants the Centre’s intervention for safe return of students from Iran

People’s Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti on Thursday (January 15, 2026) sought the Union government’s intervention for the safe return of students, including Kashmiris, from Iran amid the prevailing tension there.

This came a day after parents of several Kashmiri students studying in Iran expressed concern over the situation there, and appealed to the Center to facilitate the return of their children.

“Thousands of students from across the country, including Kashmir, are stranded in Iran amid the current volatile situation. This has caused deep fear and anxiety among anguished parents who are desperately concerned about the safety of their children. Urge S. Jaishankar and MEA to urgently intervene and ensure their safe return,” Ms Mufti said in a message on

It is estimated that just over 10,000 Indians, including students, currently live in Iran.

In a new advisory, the Indian Embassy in Tehran has urged all Indians, including students, pilgrims, businessmen and tourists, to leave Iran by available means of transport, including commercial flights.

The protests began in Tehran late last month after Iran’s currency plunged to a record low. The protests have since spread to all 31 provinces and evolved from an agitation against economic misery to a demand for political change.

According to the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), the overall situation in the country has deteriorated dramatically in recent days as the death toll from the nationwide protests has risen to more than 2,500.