Evacuated from Iran, Indonesian Citizens Recount Moment Embassy Windows Shattered from Explosions
A total of 22 Indonesian nationals from Iran have safely arrived in Jakarta. They have recounted harrowing moments during their evacuation process from Tehran, Iran.
One Indonesian citizen, Zulfan, stated that he received an invitation letter from the Indonesian Embassy in Tehran on Wednesday (4 March) to undertake evacuation. He was then asked to complete a departure form to return to the homeland.
“So in the first stage, 32 people filled out the form and were immediately dispatched,” said Zulfan at Soekarno-Hatta Airport on Tuesday (10 March 2026).
He stated that Indonesians began departing from the embassy in Tehran on Friday (6 March) around dawn. They then undertook a journey of approximately nine hours until arriving at Astara, the Iran-Azerbaijan border.
“We left around dawn and took nine hours to reach the Iran-Azerbaijan border. The long part was waiting five hours at border immigration. But in Baku we only stayed one hour before heading to the city and checking into the provided hotel,” he said.
Zulfan also recounted a frightening moment during the evacuation from Tehran. He heard numerous explosions that caused the windows of the Indonesian Embassy building in Tehran to vibrate.
“The situation was tense when we were at the embassy in Tehran. There were 10 bombs that passed directly over the embassy. And one to two kilos of explosive force was extraordinary, so the windows at the embassy vibrated. We were supposed to go to the basement actually, but the ambassador said to wait for now,” explained Zulfan.
Another Indonesian national, Hakam, explained that this evacuation process was voluntary. The government provided facilities for citizens who felt concerned and wished to return to the homeland.
“It was indeed an appeal. If someone wanted to return, they would be provided facilities and their security and travel would be guaranteed from the meeting point at the embassy in Tehran until arrival in the homeland,” said Hakam.
Meanwhile, Muhammad Jawad, another Indonesian student who returned with his wife, stated that the decision to participate in the evacuation was not solely due to fear of military strikes.
“We chose to be evacuated not because we were afraid of the attacks occurring in Iran, but because we already had plans to return home,” said Jawad.
Furthermore, he expressed appreciation for rapid coordination between the Iranian embassy, the Azerbaijani embassy in Baku, and the Turkish embassy which escorted their return at each transit point.
“We express our gratitude to Ambassador Roy, Defence Attaché Soni, and also Ambassador Berlian Helmy in Baku who accompanied us until the flight to Turkey,” he concluded.
In total, 32 Indonesians have been evacuated from Iran so far. In the second wave, 36 Indonesians are scheduled for repatriation to the homeland.