The Government Has No Plans to Evacuate Indonesian Citizens in Lebanon
Jakarta, KOMPAS.com - The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Kemenlu) has not planned to evacuate Indonesian citizens (WNI) from Lebanon following the conflict between Iran and Israel and the United States (US) that has heightened tensions in the Middle East.
‘Regarding the evacuation in Lebanon, we have 939 Indonesian citizens but most are personnel from the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) attached to UNIFIL. And to date there is no plan for evacuation,’ said Heni Hamidah, Acting Director for Protection of Indonesians (PPI) at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, at a press conference at the ministry’s office in Jakarta, Friday, 6 March 2026.
Nevertheless, the ministry’s representatives continue to monitor on-site conditions, update contingency plans, and prepare evacuation options if needed.
On the other hand, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has begun a phased evacuation of Indonesian citizens in Iran today.
‘Taking into account developing circumstances and security in Iran, the evacuation of Indonesian citizens in Iran will commence in stages today,’ Heni said.
She reported that the first phase of the evacuation of Indonesian citizens in Iran will go via the Azerbaijan route.
However, subsequent evacuation routes will still be adjusted to actual conditions on the ground and determined by RI representatives at the Indonesian Embassy in Tehran (KBRI Teheran) and the Indonesian Embassy in Baku, Azerbaijan.
‘There is an assessment from the Indonesian Embassy in Tehran, as the ministry’s representative office with the capacity to provide the most complete assessment,’ she added.
The Indonesian Embassy in Tehran will also continue to maintain communication and outreach to Indonesian citizens who remain in the Tehran area, whether residing there or currently in Iran.
The embassy will continue to operate to provide assistance and meet the needs of Indonesian citizens still in the country.
‘The public should understand that there are on-the-ground factors that still require substantial adjustment given the very dynamic on-the-ground situation,’ she said.
Therefore, the public is urged to continue monitoring official information updates from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and to give space to all teams involved to carry out their duties, including the Indonesian Embassy in Tehran as the frontline in this evacuation process.