15 Indonesian citizens in Iran seek evacuation, option via Azerbaijan
Fifteen Indonesian citizens in Tehran, Iran, have expressed readiness to be evacuated following the escalation of the conflict in the Middle East involving Iran and the United States. The evacuation would be conducted by land to Baku, Azerbaijan, before the Indonesians are flown back to Indonesia.
“The timing of the evacuation is being arranged because airspace is also being closed. If an evacuation from Tehran is undertaken, they must be taken to Baku, a ten-hour journey,” said Foreign Minister Sugiono at the Presidential Palace Complex in Jakarta on Tuesday night, 3 March 2026.
Sugiono explained that the government is working with the Indonesian Embassy in Iran to determine when to evacuate. This needs to be aligned with security conditions and the closure of airspace due to the conflict.
The evacuees would travel by land about 10 hours from Tehran to Baku, Azerbaijan. After that they would continue by air to Jakarta. Preparations for evacuation also take into account logistics and the health of the Indonesians, given the long journey before returning to the homeland.
Sugiono emphasised that evacuation is carried out at the request of Indonesians in affected areas. He stressed that the government cannot force evacuation on citizens who feel safe and do not lodge a request.
‘Those who request evacuation, we evacuate. It is not possible to move people who do not want to be relocated,’ he said.
He added that so far Indonesians in GCC-member countries in the Gulf such as Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, and Oman have not submitted evacuation requests.
Sugiono cited that in Qatar there are around 27,000 Indonesians, but so far there has been no request for evacuation.
To anticipate developments, Sugiono has also instructed the Indonesian Ambassador to Iran, Rolliansyah Soemirat, to promptly prepare evacuation steps if needed.
‘In the midst of escalating tensions, this afternoon I have also instructed our ambassador in Tehran to take immediate evacuation steps if there are Indonesian citizens who wish to be evacuated,’ he said.
Sugiono added that the government will continue to monitor the development of the Iran–US conflict. President Prabowo Subianto has also stated that Indonesia must be ready to face various possibilities arising from geopolitical tensions in the region. The government will continue to take anticipatory measures to ensure the safety of Indonesian citizens abroad.
The government has urged Indonesians planning to travel to Iran to postpone the trip. Foreign Minister Sugiono instructed the Indonesian Ambassador to Tehran to promptly prepare contingency steps should evacuation be required at any time. He also asked all Indonesians in Iran to heighten vigilance following the wave of major demonstrations currently sweeping the country. The minister confirmed that the government is beginning to prepare evacuation steps for Indonesians from Iran amid the escalation of the Middle East conflict.
Regarding search-and-rescue operations of public concern, for example the August 3, 2025 crash of trainer aircraft PK-S126 in Benteng, Ciampea. Baznas through Baznas Response to Disaster (BTB) moved quickly to evacuate residents stranded by floods in several areas in Tangerang City and Karawang Regency. Bandung City Government provided aid focused on evacuation of victims and the operation of a public kitchen for residents affected by landslides in Cisarua. It is reported that two people are believed to have been buried in a landslide while working in agricultural plantations, far from residential areas.