India warns citizens to leave Tehran as some flee Iran
NEW DELHI: India on Tuesday urged its citizens to leave Tehran, while some nationals have already fled across the Iranian border as the country comes under Israeli bombardment.
With Israel vowing to keep up its attacks four days after launching its assault on Iran, which has launched retaliatory strikes, New Delhi said Indian students have already left Tehran.
'Residents who are self sufficient in terms of transport have also been advised to move out of the city in view of the developing situation,' the foreign ministry said in a statement.
The warning came after Israel's ally US President Donald Trump said 'everyone' should 'immediately' leave the Iranian capital, which is home to nearly 10 million.
New Delhi said 'some Indians have been facilitated to leave Iran through the border with Armenia,' hundreds of kilometers (miles) northwest of Tehran.
The foreign ministry did not detail how many of its citizens have been affected in Iran, where there are around 10,000 Indians according to government data last year.
Thousands of Indians are also in Israel, and New Delhi has issued warnings for its citizens there to 'stay vigilant.'
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Arab News
29 minutes ago
- Arab News
European double standards on parade over Israel's war on Iran
Of all the reactions to Friday's unprovoked Israeli blitz on Iran, the European leaders' was the worst. None had the courage or the moral capacity to call it what it was: naked aggression against a sovereign state and a member of the UN. Interestingly, it was the leaders of the neighboring countries with a history of troubled ties to the Islamic Republic who were quick to condemn the Israeli attack as a clear violation of international law. One must view the European leaders' shameless position from a historical perspective. Whether it was the 2003 Anglo-American invasion of Iraq, NATO's bombardment of Libya in 2011, the genocidal war Israel is carrying out in Gaza or the stark aggression on Iran, European governments have been either directly and openly complicit or stood by and done nothing other than to lecture the world on the need to respect international law. European leaders have also proven time and again that they are merely blind followers of the US as it dictates controversial and often illegal policies about the Arab-Israeli conflict and the Israeli occupation and persecution of Palestinians. French President Emmanuel Macron's quick justification of Israel's attack on Iran was probably the worst. Other European leaders soon followed, parroting the ambiguous and misguided phrase that 'Israel has the right to defend itself.' Almost immediately, the UK's Keir Starmer, Germany's Friedrich Merz and the European Commission's Ursula von der Leyen were lining up to protect Israel and blame Iran for the most dangerous military escalation in the region since the first Gulf War. Not one leader denounced Netanyahu for his irresponsible call for regime change and the assassination of Iran's supreme leader Osama Al-Sharif One can understand the US bias in favor of Israel, no matter what it does. This has become a trait of successive American administrations, which have denied the Middle East a just and lasting settlement to the core of its instability and conflicts for decades. Israel's grip over US politics is well known. But one almost got duped by recent statements made by various European leaders who claimed that Europe must disengage and free itself from America's orbit. The illusion of such an awakening presented itself in the past few months, when European leaders attempted to distance themselves from the government of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over its genocidal war in Gaza. The EU tried, but failed, to make a distinction between its position against Russia's alleged crimes in Ukraine and its initial support of Israel waging a full-scale war on 2.2 million Palestinians in Gaza. Despite their apparent denunciation of Israel's Gaza war, the UK and Germany have continued to supply Israel with weapons that are being used against civilians in Gaza. So much for the crocodile tears European officials pretend to shed over the 55,000 Palestinians Israel has killed so far. But to go back to the Iran debacle, not one European leader has had the integrity to point to the fact that Israel launched its attack two days before the US and Iran were to hold a crucial sixth round of negotiations in Oman. US President Donald Trump had hinted that the two sides were close to an agreement on a nuclear deal. Not one leader even cited the testimony before Congress in March by US Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, in which she clearly stated: 'The intelligence community continues to assess that Iran is not building a nuclear weapon,' adding 'that Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei had not reauthorized the program he suspended in 2003.' And not one European leader pointed to the danger to the lives of millions in Iran and the entire region that might come from Israel's direct bombardment of Iran's numerous nuclear facilities. Not one leader bothered to denounce Netanyahu for his irresponsible call for regime change in Iran and the assassination of Iran's supreme leader. There was not one condemnation of Israel's killing of civilians, including Iranian nuclear scientists and their families. Also, European leaders have omitted to mention that Iran had already reached a deal with them, as well as the US, under which it agreed to put its entire civilian nuclear program under inspection and provided guarantees limiting its uranium enrichment. The 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action deal was derailed by Trump, not Iran, under Netanyahu's relentless attacks and lies. That agreement was deposited at the UN. Iran was not the party that withdrew from the deal. European countries were threatened by Trump not to end economic sanctions imposed on Iran, even as Iran had honored its commitments. Even then, European leaders opted to throw Tehran under the bus rather than challenge Washington or point the finger at the warmongering Netanyahu. Whatever Israel does, it does with impunity because it knows that European leaders will not dare challenge it Osama Al-Sharif The application of double standards has become a trademark of European leaders' approach to this region's conflicts, especially where Israel's interests are concerned. Israeli violations of international law and conventions are treated with the utmost delicacy and tolerance. Whatever Israel does, it does with impunity because it knows that European leaders will not dare challenge it. Macron had mustered some courage recently and denounced Israel's use of humanitarian aid as a collective punishment against Gazans, only to be branded as an antisemite by Israel. He had contemplated recognizing a Palestinian state but was reprimanded by Israel, and now it appears he has decided to defer any move. He has even offered to join Israel in fighting Iran. Once again, we have proof of how Western leaders are intimidated by Washington when it comes to averting what could spiral into a regional and possibly a global war in the Gulf. It is worth remembering that it is Israel that refuses to join the International Atomic Energy Agency and the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons or allow independent inspection of its nuclear program. And it was France that assisted Israel by supplying it with a nuclear reactor back in the 1950s. Israel deceived even the US by concealing the truth about its Dimona reactor while reportedly stealing, over a few years, between 200kg and 300kg of highly enriched uranium from a private nuclear materials processing facility, the Nuclear Materials and Equipment Corporation, in Apollo, Pennsylvania, in the 1960s. By the end of the 1960s, Israel was believed to have built the first of at least 100 nuclear bombs. Israel is the country that has brought nuclear weapons into this region, with the help of France and the US. European leaders' feverish support of Netanyahu, a wanted war criminal, in his reckless war against Iran is inexcusable and shameless. It is an insult to European values and the people of this region. It proves once again that those leaders are sacrificing Europe's interests for the sake of an Israel gone rogue. And it demonstrates that, while Europe might be an economic giant — for now — it is, in fact, a political dwarf. Meanwhile, Israel's mass slaughter of Palestinians in Gaza continues unabated. Europe's silence is deafening.
Arab News
an hour ago
- Arab News
Europe and GCC must lead a Middle East reset
The recent and ongoing Israeli attacks on Iran and Iranian counterattacks are bringing the Middle East once again to the brink of a wider war. While headlines rightly focus on the immediate fallout, including the damage, retaliation and fear of further escalation, including a nuclear dimension, there is a deeper and more urgent truth that policymakers must confront: the cycle of conflict in the Middle East will not end unless serious diplomatic leadership steps in. The crisis, therefore, also offers an opportunity — one where Europe and the Gulf Cooperation Council states, in particular, must step into the current vacuum to take ownership with a new diplomatic initiative that addresses what the region's security environment will look like post-Israel-Iran crisis. The attack by Israel on Iran and the subsequent regional shock waves mark a dangerous turning point in an already fragile region. Iran's long-standing involvement in proxy conflicts across the Arab world — from Lebanon to Syria, Iraq and Yemen — has made it a persistent source of tension with its neighbors. At the same time, the Netanyahu government's uncompromising stance on national security, often at the cost of diplomatic restraint, is feeding into a cycle of tit-for-tat violence. The result is a continuous downward spiral where everyone loses — civilians suffer, extremism festers and trust across borders erodes. That cycle must be broken. Amid this chaos, the usual arbiters of peace — chiefly the US — are no longer seen as reliable brokers by many in the region. Washington's political polarization and its increasingly transactional approach to foreign policy have left question marks on its credibility. Russia, distracted and weakened by its war in Ukraine, is no longer a stabilizing counterbalance. China, for all its growing diplomatic ambitions, still lacks the deep historical ties and cultural literacy required for lasting influence in the Middle East. And both Russia and China lack the institutional depth to mediate in the Middle East effectively. Together, they possess the diplomatic relationships, economic leverage and regional legitimacy to chart a new course Christian Koch This vacuum presents a unique and urgent opportunity for Europe and the GCC. Together, they possess the diplomatic relationships, economic leverage and regional legitimacy to chart a new course. To seize this moment, the two sides should now jointly lay out a serious, coordinated plan for a postconflict Middle East — one grounded in realism, mutual respect and long-term strategic thinking. Europe has both a moral obligation toward and a strategic interest in Middle East stability. Waves of migration triggered by Middle Eastern wars have had profound political consequences across the continent, fueling the rise of populist movements and undermining social cohesion. Terror attacks on European soil — many inspired by chaos sown in Syria, Iraq and beyond — have shown that Middle Eastern instability does not stay confined within its regional borders. A prolonged Israel-Iran war would ensure that such instability will not only continue but increase. Europe still enjoys strong diplomatic relations with key players on both sides of the current divide. In the framework of a strategic partnership with the GCC states, an increased convergence of views on the causes and paths forward on regional security is being formed. Europe has long maintained dialogue with Iran under the framework of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action and European capitals continue to underline their unwavering support for Israel's security. It is also true that much of the Middle East leadership looks to Europe to play a diplomatic role that the US is either unable or unwilling to play, or one that regional players cannot fully claim. Yet, Europe is almost completely absent when it comes to peacebuilding in the Middle East. European diplomacy is reactive, cautious and inconsistent. Europe's failure to hold the Netanyahu government to account for its violations of international law when it comes to the crisis in Gaza has seriously undermined European credibility. To be clear, Europe's inattentiveness in its direct neighborhood has contributed to the region's insecurity. Unless reversed, the direct consequences for European security will mount. Meanwhile, the GCC has emerged as a diplomatic force in recent years. Saudi Arabia's outreach to Iran, the UAE's normalization with Israel via the Abraham Accords and Qatar's ability to mediate hostage negotiations in Gaza all illustrate a newfound maturity and pragmatism in Gulf diplomacy. This is coupled with a commitment to finding solutions to the region's perennial problem, exemplified in Saudi Arabia's leadership in the Global Alliance for the Implementation of the Two-State Solution and the GCC's push, through the Arab League, for the Gaza reconstruction plan. The GCC also brings economic and soft power to the table. The bloc's financial clout will be essential to underwrite reconstruction efforts in conflict-ravaged areas. Its sovereign wealth funds will be critical for driving regional infrastructure projects that bind nations together through shared interests, while its religious and cultural influence will help foster narratives of coexistence rather than confrontation. In this equation, it must be underscored that military victories will be fleeting and only political solutions will endure Christian Koch Moreover, the GCC has a vested interest in regional stability. The fallout from a full-scale Iran-Israel war would be catastrophic for Gulf economies, particularly given the vulnerability of maritime trade routes and oil infrastructure. Thus, preventing further escalation is not merely an act of altruism — it is an existential necessity. Now is not the time for shoulder shrugging or continued complacency. Instead, it is time for leadership and foresight. Critics will argue that the region is too fractured, the enmities too entrenched. But history shows that the most fruitful diplomacy often arises from the moments of greatest danger. The EU itself was born out of the ashes of two world wars. The Helsinki Accords emerged during the Cold War's tensest period. Furthermore, the current waves of attacks between Israel and Iran have shaken the status quo. They have reminded all regional actors of the fragility of peace and the urgency of restraint. In this equation, it must be underscored that military victories will be fleeting and only political solutions will endure. Based on their shared vision for a better and more stable future, Europe and the GCC must now act together, not as distant benefactors or cautious observers, but as co-architects of a new Middle East, outlining a path for a regional system of cooperation and security. Both have ties across the regional divide and can serve as stabilizing forces by offering a roadmap toward de-escalation and longer-term security arrangements. Waiting for the perfect moment is futile, as the only current certainty is that inaction will result in more lives lost, more cities destroyed and more generations condemned to cynicism and despair. The window for diplomacy remains open, but that opportunity must be urgently seized, as the cost of failure will disperse far beyond the borders of the Middle East and be felt around the globe.
Arab News
an hour ago
- Arab News
Pakistan, UAE voice concern over Israel-Iran war as Trump seeks ‘end' to nuclear threat
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates expressed deep concern over Israel's escalating war with Iran, the foreign office said on Tuesday, as US President Donald Trump said he wanted a 'real end' to Iran's nuclear program and warned of potential new developments in the coming days. The exchange between Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and his UAE counterpart, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, took place over a phone call, according to the official intimation. The war between Iran and US ally Israel, which began on Friday when Israel launched airstrikes on Iranian nuclear and military facilities, has alarmed a region already on edge since Israel's military assault on Gaza began in October 2023. Iran launched its own retaliatory missile attacks, targeting dozens of strategic sites in Israel, as civilian casualties mounted on both sides. There has been no sign of de-escalation so far, with both sides continuing to strike military and economic targets, raising fears of a wider regional conflict. 'Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar received a call from the Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister of UAE, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan,' the foreign office of Pakistan said in a social media post. 'The two leaders discussed the evolving regional situation in the wake of Israel's military strikes against the Islamic Republic of Iran,' it added. 'They expressed deep concern over the escalating tensions and underscored the urgent need to support efforts for ensuring regional peace and stability.' Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50, received a call from the Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister of UAE, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan @ABZayed. The two leaders discussed the evolving regional situation in the wake of… — Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) June 17, 2025 Earlier, Trump spoke to reporters aboard Air Force One while returning from a Group of Seven summit in Canada. He said he may send US Middle East Envoy Steve Witkoff or Vice President JD Vance to Iran for talks, but added, 'it depends on what happens when I get back.' 'Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon, it's very simple,' he continued, adding that he wanted a 'real end' to Iran's nuclear ambitions, with Tehran 'giving up entirely' on any weapons program. The US president also warned residents in Tehran to evacuate amid fears of further escalation, but remained vague about Israel's next steps in the conflict. 'You're going to find out over the next two days,' he said. 'Nobody's slowed up so far.' With input from Reuters
