Iran Crisis Heats Up, BoP Stuck, Foreign Minister Sugiono Prepares to Evacuate 15 Indonesian Citizens from Tehran

JAKARTA - The situation in Iran has put a hold on the diplomatic agenda that was previously built through the Board of Peace (BoP). Foreign Minister Sugiono admitted that the BoP talks are now "on hold" because the attention of the parties has shifted to the latest escalation in Iran.

"All attention shifted to the situation in Iran," said Sugiono at the Presidential Palace, Jakarta, Tuesday, March 3. He said Indonesia continued to consult with its counterparts in the Gulf region, including countries that were also affected by the attack and were part of the BoP.

In the midst of this uncertainty, the government began preparing the most concrete step: evacuating 15 Indonesian citizens who have expressed their willingness to be moved from Tehran. However, Sugiono emphasized that the process could not be instantaneous.

"The airspace is also closed again. The evacuation from Tehran must be taken to Baku. From Tehran to Baku it is a 10-hour journey," he said. According to him, logistical calculations are key, including ensuring health conditions and readiness for long journeys. "So it can't be today that you want to evacuate immediately."

Sugiono also emphasized that evacuation was only carried out for Indonesian citizens who asked. "It's impossible for people who don't want to be moved, we move," he said. He cited the large number of Indonesian citizens in the Gulf region - in Qatar alone there are about 27 thousand people - which makes the option of mass evacuation unrealistic if there is no demand.

Until now, he said, there were no Indonesian citizens in Qatar, the UAE, or Bahrain who asked to be evacuated. "These are 15 who have expressed their willingness," he said.

At the communication level, Sugiono admitted to communicating with the US and Iranian parties. "We'll see how it goes ... in the next few days and weeks," he said, signaling that the direction of the situation could still change quickly. He also said he had called the Gulf countries, and was still waiting for the time to communicate with MBS who had not found a schedule.