68 Indonesian Citizens Still Detained In Iran, Ministry Of Foreign Affairs Prepares Further Evacuation

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Kemenlu) said as many as 68 out of 97 Indonesian citizens (WNI) who had been evacuated from Iran were still waiting for the schedule for repatriation to the country.

Director General of Protocol and Consular Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Andy Rahmianto revealed that currently the Indonesian citizens are at the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia (KBRI) in Tehran and Baku.

"A total of 68 people are now in the Indonesian Embassy in Baku. We are setting a flight schedule so that they can be sent home soon," he said in Tangerang, Wednesday, June 25, quoted from ANTARA.

Previously, 97 Indonesian citizens were successfully evacuated from Iran through several stages. In the first phase, 29 people are scheduled to return to Indonesia on different flights. However, only 11 people managed to arrive in the country, while 18 others were stuck in Qatar due to airport closures.

"A dozen people have arrived in Jakarta. They are from East Java and East Kalimantan," Andy added.

The Indonesian government, according to him, continues to make further evacuations of Indonesian citizens who are still in Iran, especially amid increasing regional tensions due to military conflicts between Israel, the United States, and Iran.

To date, there are about 380 Indonesian citizens recorded as still in Iran. This number may still increase along with the entry of new information from Indonesian citizens who communicate with each other.

"The data is still dynamic, there are additions every day because they inform each other and ask for evacuation assistance," he explained.

The government has now formed a team between ministries that monitors security developments in the Middle East for a full 24 hours, to ensure the safety of Indonesian citizens affected by the conflict.

"We want to show that the state is present and responsible for providing protection and services for Indonesian citizens in conflict areas. The situation is still very liquid and changes quickly," said Andy.