Kottayam, 07 March (H.S.):A family in Kerala’s Puthuppally is anxiously awaiting news of their relative who remains stranded in Iran as tensions in the Middle East disrupt travel and communication.

For the past week and a half, Nevin Antony from Puthuppally in Kottayam district has been trying to contact his father, 56-year-old Soney Antony, who has been stuck in Iran amid the escalating Iran–Israel conflict. Soney, who has been working in the Iranian port city of Chabahar for the past five years as a service engineer with Sofia Tea, had planned to return to Kerala on March 13 after completing his work assignment.

According to Nevin, the situation in Chabahar remained calm during the initial days of the crisis, and the family was able to stay in regular contact with Soney. However, as tensions began affecting the region, the company arranged for its employees to leave the city. Soney and a few colleagues were transported by taxi to Tehran, the Iranian capital, from where they were advised to travel by road to neighbouring Azerbaijan and catch flights to their respective home countries.

Following the instructions, Soney travelled towards the Azerbaijan border along with four Sri Lankan colleagues. In preparation for his departure, Nevin arranged a 30‑day tourist e‑visa for Azerbaijan so that his father could fly out from there. But when the group reached the border, Azerbaijani authorities informed them that travellers holding electronic visas also require a special border entry code to cross over.

“The border code has to be issued by the government of the traveller’s home country. In my father’s case, it should come from the Indian government,” said Nevin, who works as a freelance fitness trainer. Since Soney did not have the required document, he was unable to enter Azerbaijan and had to remain in Iran.

Soney is currently believed to be staying at Hotel Shahryar in Qarahziyaaddin in Iran’s West Azerbaijan Province. Nevin said he last spoke directly with his father a day before he travelled to the Azerbaijan border. Soon after, Soney’s mobile data subscription — usually arranged by his employer — expired, leaving the family without direct contact.

Updates have since been coming through the Sri Lankan nationals who were travelling with him. However, after completing the necessary paperwork through their government, they were able to fly back to Sri Lanka on Friday, leaving Soney behind.

The family has contacted the Indian Embassy in Iran and also reached out to the embassy in Tehran, but they say they have not yet received a response. Nevin has also approached NORKA authorities and the Prime Minister’s Office seeking assistance. Meanwhile, the Malayali Association in Azerbaijan has expressed willingness to help once Soney manages to enter the country.

The uncertainty has left the family deeply distressed. Soney had only about $500 with him when he left Chabahar, raising concerns about his expenses and daily needs. At home in Puthuppally, his mother Eliyamma, wife Smitha, daughter Nimisha and younger son Nadan — a Class 4 student — are anxiously waiting for news.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman