Indonesian Embassy Shelters Indonesian Citizens in Iran as Ambassador Assures Safety

Jakarta (ANTARA) — Indonesia’s Ambassador to Iran, Rolliansyah Soemirat, has assured that all Indonesian citizens currently in Iran are safe and in good condition, with some having sought protection at the Indonesian Embassy (KBRI) in Tehran.

Speaking via video link with ANTARA in Jakarta, Ambassador Roy, as he is commonly known, stated that latest data from the KBRI Tehran shows 329 registered Indonesian citizens in Iran, with six currently sheltering at the embassy after losing their accommodation.

“Several Indonesian citizens are being sheltered at the KBRI out of necessity for their security, but mostly because their schools or workplaces have vacated their dormitories. They did not know where to go, so we took them in. It is not necessarily due to any threat,” he said.

Ambassador Roy noted that the actual number of Indonesian citizens in Iran could exceed 329, as some have not registered, particularly those working as ship crew members who are often not recorded as permanent residents.

However, based on information obtained by the KBRI Tehran from representatives in various cities, all Indonesian citizens are reported to be in good condition.

Ambassador Roy further stated that the situation in Iran, particularly Tehran, remains dynamic with several attacks still being felt and clearly visible from the KBRI.

He stressed that the KBRI cannot yet predict developments in the near term, including the possibility of further attacks. Nevertheless, the KBRI is assured to remain on high alert to anticipate various possibilities that could occur in the coming days.

In response to these dynamics, Ambassador Roy said the KBRI has issued several advisories, including restricting outdoor activities, avoiding mass demonstrations, or seeking shelter. However, Roy believed that the KBRI cannot enforce protection standards on every Indonesian citizen.

According to him, what is most important now is to trust the assessment of each individual regarding security and safety, whilst maintaining communication channels for Indonesian citizens seeking safer locations.

“In this case, we cannot enforce a certain standard, that this is already very dangerous, you must do this or that. Because in some cases, they say they have not felt any direct threat to their personal security and safety,” Roy said.

Regional tensions escalated on Saturday, 28 February, after the United States and Israel launched attacks on Iran, killing several Iranian senior leaders, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Iran subsequently retaliated with a series of drone and missile attacks targeting Israel, US assets, and several Gulf states in self-defence.