A fifth special flight under the ongoing Operation Sindhu touched down in New Delhi late Saturday night, bringing 290 Indian nationals home from war-torn Iran.
The aircraft, which departed from Mashhad, arrived at 11:30 PM, raising the total number of evacuees to 1,117.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed the successful evacuation in a post on X (formerly Twitter), writing: ‘Operation Sindhu gains momentum. 290 Indian nationals have returned home safely from Iran on a special flight from Mashhad that landed in New Delhi at 2330 hrs on 21 June 2025. With this, 1,117 Indian nationals have been evacuated from Iran.’
This marked the second flight of the day, following the safe arrival of another evacuation flight carrying 310 passengers that landed in Delhi at 4:30 PM. For many of those returning, the journey home brought not just relief, but a deep sense of gratitude. Among them was a medical student from Siwan, Bihar, studying at Tehran University of Medical Sciences. ‘The situation in Tehran had become very critical. Other cities were calmer, but we were very scared. I am grateful to the government for getting us out safely,’ he said.
Naveed, a second-year MBBS student from Kashmir, echoed this sentiment. ‘I feel safe now. We were really anxious during those days. I’m thankful to the Indian government for helping us return.’
Another evacuee recalled the sheer panic they endured: ‘Missiles were being fired. We were terrified and stuck there for an entire week. It was a nightmare.’
For Momin Ushtaq, also from Kashmir, the successful evacuation was nothing short of life-saving. ‘The conditions there were worsening. We owe a big thank you to the Indian government, the embassy, and everyone who worked to bring us back.’
Several returnees also offered heartfelt appreciation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. ‘I’m extremely thankful to PM Modi. From the bottom of my heart, I thank our government for rescuing us,’ said Parveen, another Indian national on board. Indira Kumari, one of the relieved passengers, simply stated: ‘We are back home. That’s what matters. Thanks to the government and the Prime Minister.’
Tensions Escalate in Iran
The evacuation comes amid escalating violence in the region. According to reports by Al Jazeera, Israeli airstrikes targeted a key nuclear site in Iran’s Isfahan province. An Israeli military spokesperson claimed the operation focused on the main facility and several buildings used for centrifuge production. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) later confirmed that one of the affected structures was a centrifuge workshop. However, the agency assured the public that no nuclear materials were stored at the location, and thus, there were no radiological hazards.
A Race Against Time
As the conflict in Iran deepens, India’s rapid evacuation efforts have become a lifeline for hundreds of its citizens caught in the crossfire. Operation Sindhu continues to prioritize the safe return of students, professionals, and families — many of whom had been living under the constant threat of violence. With more flights expected in the coming days, the Indian government is working tirelessly to ensure that no citizen is left behind.
Trump Confirms US Airstrikes on Iranian Nuclear Sites
US President Donald Trump announced on Sunday that the United States carried out a “very successful attack” on three nuclear sites in Iran—Natanz, Isfahan, and Fordow.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump stated, “We have completed our very successful attack on the three Nuclear sites in Iran, including Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan. All planes are now outside of Iran air space. A full payload of BOMBS was dropped on the primary site, Fordow. All planes are safely on their way home.”