Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], June 23 (ANI): Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Monday lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi for Operation Sindhu to bring back Indians from conflict-affected Iran and Israel.

He also praised PM Modi for giving a befitting reply to Pakistan through Operation Sindoor.

'It is a huge thing that the PM is doing to bring back our people from Iran, where a war is waging right now. People are returning back in thousands of numbers. Similarly, during Ukraine-Russia war, PM Modi brought back Indian students from there... I extend heartfelt gratitude to him for this... We are proud of PM Modi, who also gave a befitting reply to Pakistan with Operation Sindoor,' Shinde told ANI.

Union Minister of State for External Affairs Pabitra Margherita said on Sunday that the Indian government has scheduled three additional evacuation flights from Iran over the next two to three days as part of Operation Sindhu.

Speaking to reporters after receiving a new batch of 285 Indian nationals evacuated from the conflict-hit Iran at the Delhi Airport, Margherita said that 162 Indian nationals who had crossed into Jordan from Israel would be repatriated 'within a day or two.'

'We have scheduled to have three more flights from Iran in the next two to three days. In the same way, we are in constant contact with Indian nations in Iran as well as Israel... 162 Indian nationals have crossed the border to Jordan, and within a day or two, they will be brought back to India,' the minister said.

The group of 285 evacuees, who arrived on a special flight from Mashhad, included people from several states such as Bihar, Jammu and Kashmir, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Maharashtra.

'Special evacuation flight has arrived in New Delhi Airport... carrying 285 Indian nationals... Mainly from 10 states... Bihar, Jammu and Kashmir, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat and Maharashtra... The total number now stands at 1713,' Margherita added.

On early Sunday, United States, under Operation Midnight Hammer, targeted three key nuclear sites in Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan in Iran.

Iran condemned the attacks, calling them a violation of international law and vowed to continue its nuclear program.

Tensions between Israel and Iran escalated on June 13 when Israel launched Operation 'Rising Lion,' targeting Iran's nuclear infrastructure. Iran responded with retaliatory strikes. (ANI)