Indian Fisherfolk Evacuated from Iran Amid Ongoing Conflict
Evacuation of Fisherfolk from Iran
A total of 345 Indian fisherfolk arrived in Chennai on Saturday evening after being evacuated from Iran via Armenia due to the escalating conflict in West Asia, as reported by a local news outlet.
Most of these fisherfolk hail from Tamil Nadu and were previously employed in Iran. They were relocated from the southern region of Iran to its northern border, crossing into Armenia with assistance from Indian embassies located in Tehran and Yerevan before taking a flight back to India.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar expressed gratitude on social media for Armenia's involvement in the evacuation process, highlighting the support received from Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan and the Armenian government.
Union Minister Piyush Goyal welcomed the fisherfolk upon their arrival at Chennai airport, according to reports.
As the conflict persists, further evacuations are anticipated, according to unnamed officials.
The Ministry of External Affairs has indicated that over 1,150 Indian nationals have successfully exited Iran through land routes into Armenia and Azerbaijan since the onset of the war on February 28.
On March 15, another group of 70 Indians, primarily students from Jammu and Kashmir along with some pilgrims, returned to Delhi on a commercial flight that passed through Armenia.
At the beginning of the conflict, it was estimated that around 9,000 Indian citizens were present in Iran, including students, seafarers, professionals, businesspeople, and pilgrims. The Indian government has been facilitating their safe departure through neighboring countries by arranging border access and aiding their travel back to India.
The conflict escalated when the US and Israel initiated an attack on Iran on February 28, citing Tehran's actions as a significant threat to Israel's security. In response, Iran has retaliated by targeting Israeli and US military installations in the region and launching strikes on major cities in Gulf nations.
Additionally, Iran has effectively restricted access to the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial maritime route for international commercial vessels, leading to a global energy crisis as approximately 20% of the world's petroleum supply traverses this narrow waterway.
Israel has raised concerns that Iran is nearing the capability to develop a nuclear weapon, which could significantly disrupt the regional security dynamics. Iran, however, insists that its nuclear program is intended solely for peaceful purposes.