For an estimated 60,000 international students in Iran, many of them pursuing medicine, studying in the country has been far from easy.
The West Asian nation has witnessed intense social unrest, economic decline, and direct military conflict over the past three years, which has also affected thousands of international students.
One of them is Mehreen Sajad, a student at Shahid Beheshti University in Tehran, who chose Iran for its budget-friendly yet quality medical education – and is well aware of how quickly things can spiral for outsiders, having experienced it during the June 2025 Israel-Iran conflict.
“Last time, during the June war, it lasted about 12 days and wasn’t as serious, mostly drone attacks. The evacuation was smooth, and the Indian Embassy handled everything as the airspace was still open. We were able to come back in two months by August,” Sajad told The PIE News.
But now, in this latest phase of the conflict, uncertainty is far more severe. “The whole situation built slowly over time, it began with protests in January 2026, driven by inflation and other issues,” stated Sajad.
With nationwide protests triggering internet blackouts in Iran in January – sharply reducing connectivity by February and causing international call rates to surge, sometimes costing around INR 200 (nearly £2) for just five to 10 minute calls – Sajad recalled how she and others struggled to stay in touch with their families, even as they tried to maintain a semblance of normal life.
“Even during the January protests, I went to the hospital every day. Juniors were allowed to leave and had their exams postponed, but we seniors were stuck because of our rotations – we couldn’t skip, or we’d have to repeat months,” stated Sajad.
“By early February, things felt a bit normal again, but there was already a sense that something might escalate. Our parents kept asking us to come back, but we couldn’t because of our hospital responsibilities.”
Though reports of a near “historic agreement” between Iran and the US to avoid military conflict were rife by late February, any sense of normalcy quickly vanished as US missiles, drones and Israeli jets struck Iran on the morning of February 28, including in Tehran, home to many international students.
“I remember, I was in the hostel and didn’t go to the hospital that day because I was sick, but all my friends were at their wards,” stated Sajad.
“The chaos was unimaginable, people struggled to get back to their apartments, and panic spread across the country because there was no prior warning about the attack. That’s when we realised we might need to evacuate.”
Since the war, notable reports from Iran include the reported death of its supreme leader Ali Khamenei in an airstrike, a missile hitting a girls’ school in Minab killing many children, thousands of civilian casualties, and soaring food and gas prices.
According to Sajad, students experienced these incidents in the most “traumatic” way, as she recounted the safety concerns witnessed in Tehran.
“On the third day, Monday, March 2, an airstrike happened in our neighbourhood. I cannot explain how traumatising it was – it was just two to three buildings away. Our whole building shook, glasses broke, rubble fell from the ceilings, and in a fraction of a second everything outside turned white from dust, smoke, and the smell of burning,” stated the student.
In the first week of March, hundreds of Indian students were evacuated to Qom, 140 km south of Tehran, with the help of the All India Medical Students Association (AIMSA). But that didn’t shield them from the ongoing violence in the region.
“During our time in the hotel after relocation, on the second day, four explosions occurred around us. This was far worse than previous drone attacks – we could hear jets approaching, then explosions, smoke, and flames. Many of us saw missiles dropping. It was a deeply harrowing experience for everyone,” stated Sajad.
“At that moment, nobody was thinking about their degree. Some friends were in their final months, but safety was everyone’s only concern. I even heard some students call their parents and ask for forgiveness, fearing they might not make it home.”
While Sajad and other students were able to stock up on food and contact their families through Iranian apps, they eventually received support from the Indian embassy, though not without facing challenges along the way.
“Last year, during the June war, the Indian embassy evacuated us directly from Iran because the airspace was open. This time, with the airspace completely shut, we had to leave via land borders,” stated Sajad.
“After crossing the Azerbaijan border, we had to manage the rest ourselves – arranging accommodation and flights. While the embassy assisted us throughout Iran, providing buses and meals, the final leg of our journey depended on us. Still, given the severity of the situation and the scale of evacuations, the embassy did as much as they could.”
When we reached Azerbaijan, a former senior and her husband welcomed us into their home at midnight, provided meals, beds, and a proper place to rest. Their kindness and hospitality made that final day so much smoother — I don’t know how I’ll ever repay them
Mehreen Sajad, international student
While more than 150 Indian students have been evacuated via the Iran-Azerbaijan border, with some already returning home and more expected to leave in the coming days, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) says around 9,000 Indian students still remain in Iran, with efforts underway to bring all of them back to India.
Sajad returned to her home in Kashmir on March 15 but remains concerned about an uncertain academic future, with the memories of her time in Iran during the conflict continuing to trouble her.
“Currently, with God’s grace, I am safe and back in India. Our rotations depend entirely on the hospitals, so the moment they resume, we’ll have to return, while juniors are still waiting for classes to restart,” stated Sajad.
“But I would say I have major PTSD right now. Last time it was just drone attacks and a smooth evacuation, but this time, after 13-14 days of strikes, chaos, and difficulties booking flights from Azerbaijan, it’s been overwhelming – I still dream about being stuck at the border.”
As Sajad reflected on her time amid the conflict, she also highlighted the generosity and resilience of the people she met along the way – a reminder that even in times of crisis, human kindness and solidarity can shine through.
“It brings a smile when I think about the people we met – from the start of the protests, everyone in Iran was so concerned for our safety. They urged us to stock up on food, stay indoors, and leave the country if possible – their care was overwhelming,” stated the student.
“When we reached Azerbaijan, a former senior and her husband welcomed us into their home at midnight, provided meals, beds, and a proper place to rest. Their kindness and hospitality made that final day so much smoother – I don’t know how I’ll ever repay them.”
