Foreign Minister Reveals Challenges in Evacuating Indonesian Citizens from Iran
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has revealed numerous challenges in the process of evacuating Indonesian citizens (WNI) from Iran amid the security situation in the Middle East region. The repatriation process depends not only on logistical readiness but is also influenced by security conditions and the policies of countries serving as evacuation routes.
This statement was conveyed by Foreign Minister Sugiono whilst welcoming the first wave of 22 repatriated WNI at Terminal 3 of Soekarno-Hatta Airport on Tuesday, 10 March.
Sugiono stated that the government continues to monitor developments in Iran and the Gulf region since the escalation of military tensions in the area. Coordination is being conducted intensively with various Indonesian representatives in the countries concerned.
“Since the attacks launched by both the United States and Israel against Iran as well as attacks from Iran against neighbouring countries in the Gulf, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been conducting very close coordination with our representatives in those countries,” said Sugiono.
He explained that there are various variables affecting the WNI repatriation process. The government must consider the security situation on the ground, regulations from local authorities, and the readiness of transport routes that can be used for evacuation.
According to Sugiono, the condition of airspace that is not always accessible and the limitations of travel routes are factors that require the return process to be planned carefully.
“There are many factors that are variables in this repatriation process, including the local security situation, then the regulations issued by local authorities, and also the logistics, evacuation routes, which countries have open airspace and which are closed, which routes of travel must be undertaken and so forth,” he said.
Additionally, the government must also coordinate with several countries traversed during the evacuation process, both via air and land routes. In some cases, airspace can be closed due to security situations, so evacuation must be conducted through neighbouring countries before being flown to Indonesia.
Despite facing various challenges, the government ensures that the repatriation of WNI continues to be carried out in stages. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also appealed to WNI in Iran who wish to participate in repatriation to the homeland to promptly process their applications.
Previously, the government had repatriated 22 WNI from Iran through the first wave of evacuation on this day as a protective measure for citizens amid increasing regional tensions. Subsequently, an additional 10 WNI are scheduled to arrive the next day at the international arrivals area of Terminal 3 of Soekarno-Hatta Airport on Wednesday, 11 March 2026 at 18:00 WIB.
Their return was via Turkish Airlines with a route through Baku, Azerbaijan, before being flown to Jakarta.