Hyderabad Student Trapped in Iran as Anti-Government Protests Rage On
For three weeks now, massive anti-government protests have shaken Iran. In the midst of this turmoil, a female student from Hyderabad, Telangana, finds herself stranded in the Islamic Republic. Her situation has drawn urgent attention from Indian authorities and politicians.
Father's Plea and Owaisi's Intervention
The student's father made a desperate plea on social media, seeking help to evacuate his daughter before conditions deteriorate further. Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi reposted this appeal, directly tagging External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on X.
In his post, Owaisi wrote: "Sir @DrSJaishankar, I request your urgent attention to evacuate this Indian student (Ayman Fatima) stranded in Tehran, Iran. Her passport is with the university authorities; there has been no contact with her family, and her father is presently in the UAE. Kindly intervene at the earliest."
Who Is the Stranded Student?
The student resides in Noorkhan Bazar, Darulshifa, Hyderabad. She currently studies at Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences in Tehran. According to her father's social media post, she cannot leave because her passport remains with university officials. Her family has lost contact with her, adding to their anxiety.
India's Advisory and the Broader Context
On Wednesday, India issued a strong advisory to all its nationals in Iran. The government urged them to leave by any available means and avoid travel to the country. This warning comes as tensions escalate over potential US military action following Iran's harsh crackdown on protests.
Reports indicate these protests have resulted in over 2,500 deaths since they began on December 28. Protesters demand the ouster of the Ayatollah Khamenei-led government.
News wire PTI estimates more than 10,000 Indians, including many students, currently live in Iran. Their safety remains a primary concern for Indian authorities.
Iran's Response and International Reactions
Iranian authorities announced plans for fast trials and executions of protest suspects. This move comes despite warnings from US President Donald Trump, who stated the US would act over the killing of peaceful demonstrators.
In a related development, the US State Department posted on X about Erfan Soltani, a 26-year-old man facing execution on Wednesday. Soltani was allegedly arrested from his home in Fardis, Karaj province, last Thursday in connection with protests.
According to Hengaw, a Norway-based human rights organization, his family received notice of his scheduled execution just four days after his arrest. They have been denied details about the charges against him and granted only a brief final visit.
CNN confirmed this information through a relative of Soltani. The situation highlights the severe measures Iranian authorities are implementing amid ongoing unrest.
Evacuation Preparations and Regional Tensions
The Associated Press reported that US personnel at a key military base in Qatar received evacuation advisories by Wednesday evening. This decision followed mentions of a previous Iranian attack on the facility by a senior Iranian official.
Protests have sparked international solidarity rallies, including one in Berlin, Germany, where supporters gathered to show their backing for Iranian demonstrators.
The stranded Hyderabad student's case underscores the precarious position of Indians in Iran. With Owaisi's intervention and India's advisory, efforts to ensure her safe return are now underway. The world watches closely as Iran navigates this period of intense internal conflict and external pressure.
