Tehran: Two Malayalis have been stranded in Iran amid the ongoing conflict with Israel. The individuals, Afsal from AR Nagar and Muhammed from Kottakkal in Malappuram had travelled to Tehran last Friday from Dubai as part of their job assignments. The conflict began just as they were preparing to return on Sunday.

Speaking to Mathrubhumi.com from Iran, they said they had contacted the Indian Embassy, but were advised to remain at their current location due to safety concerns.

Both were working in Dubai as business development officers and had travelled to Iran for a two-day business trip. They were staying at a hotel in Pars, Tehran. Afsal recounted the terrifying experience, saying, "We were moments away from witnessing death unfold before our eyes."

"After the conflict began, transportation in Tehran became highly restricted, though we occasionally managed to get Uber-like vehicles. We approached the Indian Embassy, only to find that it had relocated. Since the embassy website had not been updated with the new address, we were initially misled. While heading towards the new location, a massive explosion occurred just 100 metres away from us. Explosions were happening both in front and on either side. It was a moment when we truly faced death. Before we could comprehend what was happening, everyone around us began to run for their lives," Afsal said.

"A nearby underground metro became the target of the fleeing crowd, and we also ran towards it. Only after reaching there did we feel safe. By then, Iranian national media had already started reporting the news," he added.

Afsal also shared that a warning was issued in Tehran following the missile strikes. "The moments in our room were filled with fear. We could hear and see missiles overhead and explosions nearby. When we contacted the Indian Embassy over the phone, they advised us to stay where we were. But it was clear to us that staying put would have cost us our lives."

A local friend, who was relocating with his family from Tehran to another city, took them along. "At around 4 am on Monday, we left Tehran for Yazd. The journey lasted around 10 hours by car, all while missiles continued to fly between Iran and Israel. Each moment of that journey felt like death was right before us," he said.

Now in Yazd — considered relatively safer due to its historical status — the two say the situation could worsen if the conflict escalates further. "We can only leave now if the Indian Embassy intervenes. We had already contacted the embassy from Tehran, and they told us to remain where we were. They continue to give the same advice. Had we stayed in Tehran, not even our ashes would have remained. We are also in contact with NORKA, who are looking into our situation," Afsal said.

He added that the only way out now is to cross the border through one of the neighbouring countries — Pakistan, Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Armenia or Turkey. "We now need arrangements to reach one of these borders. We sincerely hope the Indian Embassy will intervene as soon as possible," he told Mathrubhumi.com.