Foreign Ministry: Middle East Not Recommending Evacuation of Indonesian Citizens

Ministry of Foreign Affairs says several Middle East countries affected by the conflict do not recommend that the Indonesian government evacuate Indonesian citizens located in their territories. The director-general for Asia, the Pacific and Africa at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Santo Darmosumarto, stated that authorities in these countries actually ask foreign nationals in their regions to stay at home and remain calm. ‘Governments in the Middle East do not recommend evacuation,’ Santo said in a press statement aired via the ministry’s YouTube channel on Friday, 6 March 2026. He noted that there are currently 519,412 Indonesian citizens in the Middle East, spread across several countries affected by the Iran–United States and Israel conflicts, including Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. According to Santo, the current situation in each Gulf country differs. However, the majority advise against evacuation while the war remains intensifying. ‘Each government is very aware and progressive in issuing guidance to foreign nationals to stay calm, be safe, and that their needs will be provided for as before,’ Santo said. Acting Director for Indonesian Citizen Protection at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Heni Hamidah, then confirmed that to date no Indonesian citizens have been injured or directly affected by the clashes between the US and Iran. However, some Indonesian citizens have been affected by flight cancellations and have become stranded. ‘What is affected at present are Indonesian citizens stranded due to restrictions and closures of airspace, rerouting of flights, and uncertainty in international transport schedules,’ she said. She claimed those stranded have now been provided with accommodation, lodging, and meals while awaiting further arrangements for scheduling flights so they can eventually return home. Unlike communities in the war-affected region, Indonesians in Iran will be evacuated gradually. The first phase of evacuation will begin this week with 32 Indonesians to be repatriated. They will be evacuated via Azerbaijan. ‘Further evacuation plans will be decided by the Indonesian government after considering the most up-to-date security assessments,’ Heni said.