JAKARTA - The government through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Indonesian Embassy in Tehran will begin to evacuate Indonesian citizens (WNI) who are in Iran gradually starting today through Baku, Azerbaijan.
Acting Director of Protecting Indonesian Citizens at the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Heni Hamidah, said that the evacuation plan was carried out in coordination with the Indonesian Embassy in Tehran and the Indonesian Embassy in Baku.
"The evacuation of Indonesian citizens in Iran will begin gradually today and this first phase will pass through Azerbaijan. But it is possible that these evacuation routes will be seen according to the actual conditions on the ground and will be determined by our friends at the Indonesian Embassy in Tehran and the Indonesian Embassy in Azerbaijan (Baku)," he explained in a press statement in Jakarta, Friday (7/3).
"For the time being, the first batch has 32 people (who will be evacuated), but this is just the beginning, we will see again," he said.
Heni added that in addition to Indonesian citizens who live there, those who will be evacuated include "Indonesian citizens who are visiting Iran and cannot return because there are no flights, follow the evacuation route."
"The first batch may arrive (in the country) on 9-10 (March)," said Heni.
As for the next evacuation plan, Heni said it would be decided by the Government after going through various security considerations and other aspects, including assessments from the Indonesian Embassy in Tehran.
"The Indonesian Embassy in Tehran will also continue to engage and outreach with Indonesian citizens who are still in the Tehran area, both Indonesian citizens who live there and Indonesian citizens who are in Iran," said Heni.
Meanwhile, the Director General of Asia, Pacific and Africa at the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Santo Darmosumarto, said the government was following the escalation of tensions in the Middle East.
"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has done several things, of course in coordination with the Indonesian representative in various Middle Eastern countries to do several things," explained Ambassador Santo.
"There are more than 519 Indonesian citizens in the Middle East, as many as 329 of our citizens live in Iran," he added.
It is known that Israel and the United States have continued to launch massive attacks against Iran since last Saturday, killing at least 926 people, including Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and high-ranking military officials.
Iran retaliated with drone and missile attacks targeting Israel as well as Gulf states that host US military assets.
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