US-Iran Clashes Escalate, Government Prepares Mitigation Steps for Indonesian Migrant Workers

The conflict between the United States and Iran has heated up once again. Minister for the Protection of Indonesian Migrant Workers (P2MI) Mukhtarudin has urged Indonesian migrant workers (PMI) in the Middle East to remain constantly vigilant. “Yes, those in Iran, we were just coordinating yesterday. Coordinating with the Indonesian Embassy and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Because this must involve the authorities of other countries, everything must follow procedure, in accordance with our diplomatic relations with Iran,” Mukhtarudin said after a meeting with House of Representatives Commission IX at the parliament building in Senayan, Jakarta, on Friday (17/7/2026). He said the government has prepared anticipatory measures for PMI in the Middle East region following the heightened escalation there. He also asked PMI in the area to increase their alertness. “God willing, so far the United Arab Emirates has also issued a sort of warning regarding the Middle East situation, which is currently not good, with the escalation increasing. Specifically in Abu Dhabi and surrounding areas, a kind of announcement has been made by the Indonesian Embassy to exercise vigilance and prepare for all eventualities,” he stated. “In principle, the government has coordinated to prepare anticipatory steps should something extraordinary occur, requiring a large-scale evacuation or major handling of Indonesian citizens there, including migrant workers in the Middle East region in general,” he added. The United States had previously launched renewed attacks targeting an airport, a railway station, and two bridges in Iran overnight, resulting in three deaths. According to AFP on Friday (17/7/2026), Iranian state media reported that the US strikes on two bridges in Hormozgan Province killed three people and injured nine others, an increase from earlier reports of two dead and four wounded. “Three explosions were heard around the airport and at least one American enemy projectile hit Iranshahr airport in the southeast,” state television IRIB said on Telegram. The US also launched an attack on an Iranian railway station, which left two people injured.