Indian fishermen stranded in Iran amid escalating conflict in the Middle East have returned home, expressing gratitude to the Indian government and the Indian Embassy for ensuring their safe evacuation. The fishermen arrived in Chennai on Saturday night, where they were received by Union minister for commerce Piyush Goyal.

Several fishermen described chaotic and dangerous conditions in Iran, saying frequent bombings and rising tensions made it impossible to remain. Many had been working in the region for years before the situation deteriorated, prompting coordinated evacuation efforts.

According to the government, the rescue operation was carried out under the direction of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, with the ministry of external affairs and Indian missions facilitating the movement of stranded nationals from Iran to Armenia and Azerbaijan before arranging their return to India. More than 600 fishermen have been brought back so far, and a total of 2,180 Indian nationals have been moved out of the conflict zone for onward travel home.