Around 126 Indian students remain stranded at Iran’s border crossings, with evacuation efforts facing delays and uncertainty, according to the All India Medical Students Association (AIMSA). AIMSA Vice President Dr Mohammad Momin Khan said that 84 students are currently stuck at the Iran-Azerbaijan border in Astara, where authorities are reportedly allowing only 10 students to cross per day. The slow pace of movement has left dozens waiting for days under stressful conditions.
The remaining students are at the Iran-Armenia border, where travel plans have been repeatedly disrupted due to ticket cancellations, further compounding the crisis.
Student representatives say the situation has triggered growing anxiety among those stranded, while their families back in India are increasingly worried about their safety and well-being.
“We are facing uncertainty and fear, with no clear timeline for evacuation,” one of the stranded students said, echoing concerns shared by others at the border points.
AIMSA has urged the Indian Embassy in Iran to take immediate action to resolve the situation. The association has called for coordinated intervention to ensure that all stranded students are safely escorted across the borders, similar to the earlier evacuation of 977 Indian nationals through Armenia.
“These 126 students are still stuck along the borders (Astara and Jolfa). They are being accommodated in hotels provided by the Indian Embassy. We further urge that the Embassy must urgently step in and facilitate the safe passage of all students without further delay,” Dr Khan told Times Now.
While the provision of temporary hotel accommodation offers some relief, the psychological toll of indefinite delays continues to mount for the remaining 126 students. The successful repatriation of nearly a thousand nationals earlier this year provides a blueprint for action, but for those still waiting at the Astara and Armenian crossings, the hope is for a swift resolution that prioritizes their safety and brings an end to their prolonged uncertainty.
