ISLAMABAD: India’s alarm over reports of a possible imminent attack on Iran became more evident on Thursday as its foreign ministry urged its citizens to leave the country, which has been facing deadly unrest.

The ministry estimates there are around 10,000 Indian citizens in Iran.

“Indian nationals who are currently in Iran (students, pilgrims, business persons and tourists) are advised to leave Iran by available means of transport,” the Indian embassy in Tehran said in a social media post late Wednesday.

India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar wrote on X on Wednesday that he had spoken with his Iranian counterpart.

"Received a call from Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi. @araghchi We discussed the evolving situation in and around Iran,” he wrote.

Earlier, on Jan. 5, Randhir Jaiswal, the spokesperson for India’s Ministry of External Affairs, shared a travel advisory for Iran.

The developments come amid reports that a US military strike on Iran could be imminent.

A Western military official told The New York Times that the Trump administration is weighing a range of options, including cyberattacks and strikes on Iranian government facilities.

Multiple US media reports suggest Washington is actively reviewing possible intervention measures.

The Washington Post, citing a former US official familiar with the planning, reported that at least two European allies were asked this week to share intelligence with the United States on potential target sites inside Iran.

Trading with Iran

Meanwhile, Congress MP and Chairman of India’s Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Shashi Tharoor, has expressed serious concern over US President Donald Trump’s decision to impose a 25% tariff on countries trading with Iran, Indian media reported on Thursday.

He warned that the measure could make Indian exports to the United States unviable. Tharoor noted that India was already facing higher tariffs than regional competitors, and that the existing 25% US tariff, combined with penalties linked to Russia and Iran, could raise the total to 75%.

Tharoor highlighted that countries such as Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, Pakistan, and Bangladesh enjoy lower tariffs of 15–19% on labor-intensive exports such as gems, jewelry, marine products, and leather, putting India at a disadvantage in global trade.

Trump threatens Iran

India fears attack on Iran, urges citizens to return