JAKARTA - The Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs is monitoring the condition of Indonesian citizens (WNI) in Iran regarding the situation in the country, while evacuation is considered not necessary but the Indonesian Embassy in Tehran is still preparing contingency plans.
Protests occurred in the capital Tehran on December 28, related to the Iranian economic conditions, which then spread to a number of regions in Iran and were followed by clashes between protesters and security forces.
The Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, "based on the communication of the Indonesian Embassy in Tehran with Indonesian citizens in various regions in Iran, the main hub cities of the Indonesian community such as Qom and Isfahan are relatively free of significant security disturbances."
"Indonesian citizens in Iran are mostly students or students at various educational institutions in Iran, especially in the city of Qom," the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs wrote in its statement, Monday (12/1).
"Based on the assessment of the Indonesian Embassy and taking into account the conditions on the ground as of January 12, no evacuation is currently required. However, preparations to anticipate the escalation of the security situation according to the contingency plan continue to be carried out," continued the ministry.
Protests by traders in Tehran's Grand Bazaar over the sharp depreciation of the rial exchange rate and the worsening economy spread to a number of regions in Iran, with students joining the protests starting December 30, TASS reported.
On the evening of January 8, riots broke out in the protests that left 13 civilians, including a child, dead, while authorities reported the deaths of 38 law enforcement officers.
The mayor of Tehran, Alireza Zakani, stated that rioters burned 25 mosques, damaged 26 banks, three health centers, 10 government buildings, more than 100 fire trucks, buses, and ambulances, and 24 apartments.
Meanwhile, the US-based human rights group HRANA reported the deaths of 490 demonstrators and 48 security personnel, with more than 10,600 people arrested, although there has been no official estimate of the number of victims.
"The Indonesian Embassy in Tehran urges all Indonesian citizens in Iran to always increase vigilance, monitor the development of the situation through official information sources, avoid the location of demonstration centers and mass crowds, and maintain communication with the Indonesian Embassy in Tehran," said the ministry.
"For Indonesian citizens who have travel plans to Iran, they are urged to postpone their trip until the security situation and conditions are deemed conducive," continued the ministry.
"In an emergency situation, Indonesian citizens can immediately contact the Indonesian Embassy in Tehran Hotline through the number +98 9914668845 / +98 902 466 8889 or the Indonesian Citizen Protection Directorate Hotline of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs through the number +62 812-9007-0027," the statement said.
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