Indonesian Citizen Describes Tense Situation Amid Missile Attacks in Iran
A 58-year-old Indonesian national named Tetap Segar, an aircraft technician from Tangerang District, Banten, has recounted his experience living amidst missile strikes in Tehran following the escalation of geopolitical tensions in the Middle East involving the United States, Israel, and Iran.
Segar described the security situation in Iran as currently untenable, with daily missile attacks occurring at multiple locations, particularly in Tehran. “The situation is indeed no longer conducive now. However, it depends on each individual’s belief about whether it will quickly subside or continue,” he said when met at Soekarno-Hatta Airport in Tangerang, after returning to Indonesia on Tuesday.
Daily, Segar witnessed firsthand missile strikes launched by the US and Israel against Iran. His workplace as an aircraft technician was located directly at Imam Khomeini International Airport (IKA), which handles international flights, and Mehrabad International Airport (THR), which handles domestic flights.
“Almost every day attacks occur. But for residents there, it is routine with no excessive panic. So we remain waiting for conditions to become conducive,” he said.
During attacks, Segar and other Indonesian colleagues were immediately sent back to their residential facilities. His company had implemented alert status in recent weeks, shutting down and suspending worker activities.
“Yes, of course work was halted, we were sent back to the residence and we awaited information from the Indonesian Embassy,” he explained.
As security concerns intensified, Segar decided to register with the Indonesian Embassy in Tehran for evacuation and return home. “Because day after day the situation was not conducive, I decided to evacuate myself, both through my company and the embassy. However, I chose to go through the embassy and was given guidance at every evacuation step to ensure safety,” he explained.
Segar noted that throughout the journey and evacuation process, embassy officials continuously provided direction and support until he successfully reached Indonesia.
In the government’s evacuation programme, 22 Indonesians have successfully returned home. The group travelled via Turkish Airlines through Baku, Azerbaijan, and were flown to Jakarta’s Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Tangerang, Banten, on Tuesday afternoon.
“This afternoon, 22 Indonesian nationals returned in this first wave. Tomorrow, 10 more will depart from Iran,” said Foreign Minister Sugiono.
He stated the evacuation process would continue in a second wave with 36 registered Indonesian nationals. “We from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs are maintaining quite close, very close coordination with our representatives in that country,” he said.