New Delhi: Indian student records massive explosion in Iran's Urmia amid Israeli strikes | Video
US and Israel carried out multiple strikes on Iran Tuesday, with the death toll nearing 800 by what is the fourth day of the conflict, according to the Iranian health ministry.
Explosions were heard continuously around Tehran and other cities in Iran, with strikes also being reported in Isfahan, where the nuclear facilities are located, Al Jazeera reported.
The situation has spurred worries regarding Indian nationals stranded in Gulf countries, amid closure of airspace. On Tuesday, an Indian student in Iran’s Urmia city in West Azerbaijan province posted visuals of an alleged explosion near their location.
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In the video, which was seemingly recorded from a building’s window, a massive plume of smoke is seen rising some distance away, with panicked voices being heard in the background. HT.com has not independently verified the authenticity of the video.
Israel sounded evacuation warnings in several parts of Iran Tuesday, before carrying out strikes in Tehran, and northwestern cities of Tabriz and Urmia. Mehrabad airport in Tehran and Bushehr airport were also hit, with an Iranian carrier destroyed on ground on the runway of the latter following the strikes.
Iran also carried out strikes in Israel’s central and Tel Aviv districts, injuring 12 people.
The ministry of external affairs on Tuesday said that almost almost one crore Indian citizens live and work in the countries in the Gulf region. “Their safety and well-being is of utmost priority. We cannot be impervious to any development that negatively affects them,” the MEA said in a statement.
The ministry called for de-escalation, saying the widening of the conflict “evokes great anxiety”, given that India is a proximate neighbour “with critical stakes in the security and stability of the region.”
The statement said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and external affairs minister S Jaishankar had held discussions with their counterparts in the region, adding that India was in touch with the governments of Gulf countries and other key partners.
“Indian Embassies and Consulates in the affected countries remain in close touch with Indian nationals and community organizations, issuing regular advisories as appropriate,” the MEA said. The ministry said the embassies were extending “all possible help” to those stranded due to the conflict. “The Embassies and Consulates will continue to be proactive in addressing various consular aspects of this conflict,” the statement added.
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