India on Wednesday strongly advised its nationals to avoid travelling to Iran as the security situation in the country deteriorated further in view of massive anti-government protests and a crackdown on the demonstrators.

“In view of the ongoing developments in Iran, Indian nationals are once again strongly advised to avoid travel to the Islamic Republic of Iran until further notice,” the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said. The protests began late last month in Tehran and have since spread to all 31 provinces, evolving from an agitation against economic woes to demand for political change.