580 Indonesian Citizens Recorded In Iran And Israel, Indonesian Ministry Of Foreign Affairs: No One Becomes Victims

JAKARTA - The Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs noted that around 500 Indonesian citizens (WNI) were in Iran and Israel, when the two countries had attacked each other since last Friday.

The Director of Protection for Indonesian Citizens at the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Judha Nugraha, said that his party together with the Indonesian Embassy in Tehran (Iran) and the Indonesian Embassy in Amman (Yordania) continued to monitor the development of the Israeli-Iran conflict situation.

"The latest data was recorded that there were 386 Indonesian citizens in Iran, the majority of students and students in Qom City, while the Indonesian Embassy in Amman noted that there were 194 Indonesian citizens in Israel, the majority of who participated in educational internships in Rafah City," said Judha.

"In the communication between the Indonesian Embassy in Amman and the Indonesian Embassy in Tehran with Indonesian citizens, so far no Indonesian citizens have been victims in the conflict between Iran and Israel," Judha told reporters, Wednesday, June 18.

Judha further explained that several Indonesian citizens who traveled briefly were hampered because the airspace was closed and disrupted the flight route.

It is known that a number of countries in the Middle East have closed their airspace, while a number of airlines have canceled or diverted their flight routes, as a result of attacking each other between Israel and Iran.

"It was reported that 42 Indonesian pilgrims in Jerusalem initially had to leave Israel through Ben Gurion Airport. However, because they were closed, the Indonesian Embassy in Amman helped to move them by land to Jordan and had returned to Indonesia yesterday," said Judha.

"We also recorded 8 Indonesian pilgrims from England who had problems in Amman and had returned to England," he continued.

"Then there were 2 Indonesian pilgrims in Qom City, who initially planned to return home through Tehran International Airport, but because they were closed, with the help of the Indonesian Embassy, they could get out by road to Pakistan," said Judha.

Anticipating further escalation, Judha said the contingency plan had been prepared by the Indonesian Embassy in Tehran since last year. Alert 2 status was also set last year. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, continued Judha, continues to closely follow the possibility of further escalation.

The Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs together with the Indonesian Embassy in Tehran last night held a town hall meeting, meeting with Indonesian citizens in Iran virtually, to determine the conditions and convey the contingency steps that have been prepared by the Indonesian Embassy in Tehran and the central government.

"Indeed, the status is Alert 2, but we urge Indonesian citizens to always be vigilant and always monitor the existing situation. If an escalation occurs, we can level to Alert 1 and then carry out the evacuation process," explained Judha.

"Coordination measures have been taken with relevant ministries and institutions in Indonesia to ensure that, if later the government decides to evacuate, the revenue process in Indonesia can also run smoothly," he added.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs asked Indonesian citizens in Iran and Israel to increase vigilance, monitor the existing situation from the official media of the government and the Indonesian Embassy, avoid leaving the house for unimportant things, immediately contact the Indonesian Embassy in Amman and the Indonesian Embassy in Tehran in the event of an emergency.

"For Indonesian citizens who have planned trips to Iran, Israel, Syria, Lebanon and Yemen, we suggest that they postpone their journey. Because in these countries the representatives of the Republic of Indonesia have set a standby status," Judha appealed.

"For our citizens who have a flight plan through the Middle East region, to always check the latest flight schedules to their respective airlines, anticipate opening and closing airspace that can disrupt flight schedules," he added.

Meanwhile, the Indonesian Elected Ambassador to Tehran Rolliansyah Soemirat added that the staff of the Indonesian Embassy in Tehran continue to make maximum efforts in order to monitor the situation of Indonesian citizens in various cities.

"We will continue to coordinate with the center to update the situation on the ground, the situation related to Indonesian citizens in Iran or other issues," he explained.

Israel launched airstrikes in an "Raising Lion" operation that it claimed targeted Iranian military and nuclear facilities on Friday morning last week. The attack sparked retaliation from Iran and until early Wednesday attacks on each other are still ongoing.