Government Repatriates Indonesian Citizens from Iran, 22 Arrive at Soetta Airport

Jakarta – A total of 22 Indonesian citizens (WNI) evacuated from Iran arrived in Indonesia on Tuesday. Their arrival marks the first wave of the repatriation process for Indonesian citizens amid escalating security tensions in the Middle East.

Foreign Minister Sugiono directly received the returning Indonesian citizens at Terminal 3 of Soekarno-Hatta International Airport. He described the arrival as the initial phase of the process for repatriating Indonesian citizens from Iran.

“Praise be to God, this afternoon we have received the return of our countrymen from Tehran as part of the first wave of the Indonesian citizen repatriation process. Today, 22 of our citizens have returned,” Sugiono told media representatives.

Sugiono also extended a welcome to the returning Indonesian citizens, particularly noting that their arrival coincided with the holy month of Ramadan, allowing them to reunite with their families.

The repatriation process was conducted with consideration for various factors, including security conditions in the region and regulations implemented by local authorities. The government also took into account logistical availability and evacuation routes to ensure the safe conduct of the repatriation process.

Before arriving in Indonesia, the Indonesian citizens first undertook an overland journey from Tehran to Baku, Azerbaijan, lasting approximately 10 hours. From there, they continued by air to Jakarta before finally landing at Soekarno-Hatta Airport.

The government has also scheduled the arrival of 10 additional Indonesian citizens as part of the first wave of repatriation today. With this, the total number of Indonesian citizens repatriated in this initial phase will reach 32 people.

Meanwhile, the Foreign Ministry has recorded dozens of other Indonesian citizens who have registered to participate in subsequent waves. To date, at least 36 Indonesian citizens have expressed their desire to be repatriated in the second wave of evacuation from Iran to Indonesia.

Sugiono emphasised that the government continues to monitor developments in Iran and the Middle East region. Through coordination with Indonesian representatives abroad, the government is ensuring that every Indonesian citizen wishing to return home can be facilitated through the repatriation process.