Avoid non-essential travel to Iran until further notice: MEA

India on Monday advised its nationals to avoid nonessential travel to Iran until further notice owing to the recent developments in the countryIndian citizens and PIOs currently in Iran should exercise due caution avoid areas of protests or demonstrations and closely monitor news as well as the website and social media handles of the Embassy of India in Tehran read an advisory issued by the Ministry of External Affairs MEAIndian nationals living in Iran on residentvisas are advised to register with the Indian Embassy if not already done so it addedIran is witnessing major protests in a number of cities over the sharp depreciation of the national currency rialClashes between the security personnel and protesters have resulted in several deaths in Iranian provincesEarler on Monday India time US President Donald Trump warned Iran against using violence to suppress protests saying the United States is closely monitoring the situation and would respond forcefully if Iranian authorities begin killing civiliansAboard Air Force One on his way back to the White House from MaraLago Trump was asked about reports of protesters being killed in Iran and his earlier comments that the US was ldquolocked and loadedrdquoldquoWersquoll take a lookrdquo Trump said ldquoWersquore watching it very closelyrdquoTrump drew a clear line around the use of lethal force by Iranian authorities ldquoIf they start killing people as they have in the past I think theyrsquore going to get hit very hard by the United Statesrdquo he saidThe US President did not specify what form a US response might take nor did he outline any immediate military or economic measures Notably the US has deployed considerable military asset in the regionTrumprsquos comments in response to a question however underscored that Washington is actively tracking developments inside Iran and considering its options But he gave no timeline or trigger point ldquoWersquore watching it very closelyrdquo he reiteratedWhile Trump did not draw direct comparisons during his Iran remarks his warning followed strong language directed at Venezuela Cuba and other countries he described as destabilising forces in their regionsTrump has previously accused Iran of violently suppressing dissent during past waves of protests and has used economic sanctions and military deterrence as pressure tools In this exchange he stopped short of announcing new measures instead emphasising vigilance and readinessldquoIf they start killing peoplerdquo Trump said repeating the condition under which US action could followThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever