Caught in the crossfire: Indian students navigate Iran-Israel crisis

When war knocks on your door, it rarely asks about your aspirations.

The latest flare-up in the long-standing Iran-Israel rivalry has escalated into a dangerous new phase, one that is no longer confined to diplomatic threats or covert skirmishes. 

In the early hours of today, June 13, the skies above Tehran bore witness to one of the most audacious Israeli airstrikes in recent memory, targeting key Iranian military and nuclear-linked installations. 

As Operation Rising Lion unfolded with over 200 fighter jets reportedly involved, the capital city trembled, not just from the shockwaves of missiles, but from the uncertainty they unleashed.

Caught in the eye of this geopolitical storm are over 500 Indian medical students studying in Iran, many of them from Jammu & Kashmir, Delhi, and Maharashtra. For these students, Iran offered an affordable, high-quality medical education. 

Universities like Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences in Tehran had become havens of hope for young aspirants who couldn’t afford the steep fees of private medical colleges back home. But now, these academic sanctuaries have turned into potential battlegrounds.

To understand the gravity of the situation and its impact on these students, EdexLive spoke with the student association coordinator and medical students on the ground in Tehran to piece together a comprehensive picture of this unfolding crisis.

Sheikh Azhan, a third-year MBBS student from Shahid Beheshti Medical University, was asleep in his dormitory in the Zafaraniyeh district in Tehran, when he was jolted awake by the thunder of explosions on the early hours of June 13. 

Just five kilometers away, missiles lit up the sky as explosions echoed through the city. “The entire experience was deeply unsettling, many of us were shaken and anxious throughout the night,” he said.

Another third-year student, Syed Farwah, studying at Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, shared a similar experience. “The situation is normal right now, but we did hear explosions earlier, even though the military camps are far from us.” The physical distance offered little psychological comfort in a city suddenly thrust into the crosshairs of an international conflict.

The Israeli strikes, which reportedly claimed the lives of top Iranian military leaders, prompted an immediate retaliatory barrage of over 100 Iranian drones aimed at Israel, fueling fears of a full-blown regional conflict. 

In this climate of uncertainty, the role of student networks has become crucial. Dr Mohammad Momin Khan, State Vice-President of the All India Medical Students' Association (AIMSA), has emerged as a critical conduit between students in Iran and concerned families back in India. 

“There are currently over 500 to 600 Indian medical students in Iran. I’m in regular contact with many of them,” he said. “So far, the strikes have not directly impacted student residences or medical colleges. The students are safe for now.”

However, Dr Khan is acutely aware of the precarious nature of the situation. "Given that the region remains volatile and the conflict is active, the situation can change rapidly," he warns. 

He added that the proximity of student institutions to strategic infrastructure is particularly worrying. “Tehran holds immense strategic value. While student areas haven’t been directly hit, they lie dangerously close to potential targets.”

Student groups back home have amplified these concerns. The Jammu and Kashmir Students Association (JKSA), in a formal letter to External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar, urged immediate evacuation of Kashmiri students.

Citing the “dire situation” and “unprecedented escalation in hostilities,” JKSA National Convenor Nasir Khuehami wrote, “This is not just a diplomatic or logistical matter. It is a humanitarian emergency.”

The association warned that many students are located in areas “dangerously close to vital military installations,” and that the psychological toll is growing. “The students are terrified and feel completely helpless,” the letter noted, highlighting how distressed families in Kashmir are receiving no clear communication or assurance from the Indian embassy.

Dr Khan echoed the need for action. “If the situation deteriorates further, evacuation must be considered without delay,” he said. “At this point, we don’t believe evacuation is immediately necessary, but that assessment could change overnight.”

Farwah explained that for now, communication is being handled through student representatives and Dr Momin. “I’m not in direct contact with the embassy. Our representatives are handling it on our behalf,” she said.
Helpline numbers and advisories have been circulated. Students have been advised to stock up on essentials and restrict movement.

While physical safety remains a concern, the emotional wellbeing of students is equally fragile. “Emotionally, everyone is coping in their own way,” Azhan noted. “Some find strength in group activities like cooking together, exchanging updates, or just sitting around to feel less alone. Others stay glued to phones, trying to stay connected with family.” He offered a poignant observation: “It’s important to acknowledge that it’s okay not to feel okay in times like these.”

Commercial flights are still operational, and students currently have the option to leave voluntarily. Yet many remain caught between academic obligations and the unpredictability of an escalating conflict.

“If the situation deteriorates further, evacuation must be considered without delay,” Dr Khan stated. “At this point, we don’t believe evacuation is immediately necessary. But that assessment could change overnight.”

Meanwhile, the Indian government has issued a public advisory for citizens in the region. In an official statement, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said: “All Indian nationals in the region are advised to exercise caution, stay safe and follow local security advisories.”

India reaffirmed its friendly relations with both Iran and Israel. and assured that its missions are in close contact with the Indian community in both countries, ready to provide assistance wherever needed.

Students like Azhan and Farwah are not merely bystanders in a geopolitical clash, but its human face, reminders of how precarious peace can be, and how swiftly the pursuit of education can be eclipsed by the shadow of war. 

As night descends on Tehran, the world has its eyes on the Middle East, where the fates of students and nations now converge in the shadow of a deepening political crisis.