Indonesian Students Recount Disrupted Studies in Iran Amid Conflict

The academic activities of Indonesian students in Iran have been interrupted due to the ongoing military conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran. Students who have been evacuated to Indonesia report that classes halted from the beginning of Ramadan.

“Classes have been interrupted because the conflict started on the 2nd of Ramadan,” said Hukam (25), a first-year student of Islamic Civilisation History at Ahlul Bayt International University in Tehran, whom we met at Soekarno-Hatta Airport in Tangerang, Jakarta, on Tuesday (10 March 2026).

Hukam stated that he is uncertain when lectures will resume given the volatile security situation. “If this continues, I don’t know if it will continue or come to a complete stop. I really hope the relevant ministry can provide regulations so we can continue our education,” he said.

Beyond security concerns, the Iranian government has declared seven days of national holiday and 40 days of national mourning for Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, resulting in the closure of all educational institutions. The economic instability has further jeopardised his educational prospects.

Another Indonesian national, Jawad (26), explained that Iranian society is currently focused on the conflict situation and commemorations of the Supreme Leader’s death. This has brought academic life in major cities like Tehran to a complete standstill.

“The situation means national holidays, banks, schools—everything is closed,” Jawad added.

Communication access has also been severely compromised. The Iranian authorities cut off international internet access since military operations began, making it difficult for students to access academic information. “Since the first attack on 28 February at 10 a.m., the Iranian government has disconnected international internet networks. Applications from non-Iranian companies like WhatsApp, Telegram, Facebook and others have been blocked,” Jawad explained.

Indonesian students now wait in their home country hoping for solutions from the Iranian authorities. Whilst they hope to return once conditions stabilise, they need regulatory certainty from their government to prevent their studies from being abandoned indefinitely.

“If conditions become safe and the security status improves, God willing, we will return,” he concluded.