US–Iran conflict: Foreign Ministry forms crisis-response team for Indonesian citizens
THE GOVERNMENT, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has formed a crisis-response team in response to the intensifying conflict in Western Asia. The formation of the team is described as a protective step for Indonesian citizens (WNI) who are still in the area affected by the battle between the United States-Israel and Iran.
Acting Director for Protection of Indonesian Citizens at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Heni Hamidah, said the team will monitor the development of the conflict intensively. This will enable the government to move quickly to protect Indonesians if security deteriorates.
We have formed a crisis-response team and are increasing daily intensive communications between the MFA Central and the affected posts in the region to obtain real-time updates on the security situation on the ground and the status and location of WNI, Heni said on Friday, 6 March 2026, quoting the Government Communications Bureau Bakom RI.
Alongside the formation of the team, Heni said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is also reinforcing coordination to monitor developments on the ground. Indonesian representations in the affected areas continue to communicate with WNI nodes. Then those representations periodically provide situational updates to the MFA central office in Jakarta.
Indonesian missions also continue to update the numbers and distribution of Indonesian citizens in their respective areas of accreditation. In addition, Indonesian missions also update contingency plans and assess various evacuation options should security deteriorate.
Furthermore, Heni emphasised that the ministry is also enhancing external communications, particularly with local authorities in the conflict areas. “We continually urge Indonesian citizens in the accreditation areas at each mission to monitor official information from the local authorities and the Indonesian representations, and to maintain intensive communication with the relevant or nearest Indonesian representations,” she said.
On the other hand, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is also monitoring operations at international airports in the affected countries and daily flight availability. This step, according to Heni, is taken to anticipate the possibility of Indonesian citizens being stranded due to disruptions to flight schedules.
Heni disclosed that there are currently several Indonesians reporting travel difficulties due to restrictions or closures of airspace in several regions. Nevertheless, the government ensures that Indonesians continue to receive assistance while awaiting onward flights.
“For the stranded WNI, while awaiting the flights that will carry them, they are provided with accommodation, lodging, meals and arrangements for onward flight schedules coordinated by Indonesian representations and the local authorities,” Heni said.