Number of Challenges in Evacuating Indonesian Citizen from Iran

Jakarta: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has revealed several challenges in the evacuation of Indonesian citizens from Iran amidst the fluctuating security situation in the Middle East.

The repatriation process depends not only on logistical readiness but also on the security conditions and policies of countries serving as evacuation routes.

Foreign Minister Sugiono stated that the government continues to monitor developments in Iran and the Gulf region since the escalation of military tensions in the region.

He emphasized intensive coordination with various Indonesian representatives in the relevant countries. He conveyed this while welcoming Indonesian citizens from Iran during the first phase of repatriation assistance at the international arrivals area, Terminal 3, Soekarno-Hatta Airport.

"Since the attacks launched by both the United States and Israel on Iran and neighboring countries in the Gulf, we at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs have continued to coordinate very closely with our representatives in those countries," Sugiono said after welcoming Indonesian citizens from Iran at Soekarno-Hatta Airport on Tuesday, March 10, 2026.


Foreign Minister Sugiono welcoming Indonesia Citizens from Iran. Photo: MOFA Indonesia

He explained that various variables influence the repatriation process. The government must consider the security situation on the ground, local authority regulations, and the readiness of transportation routes available for evacuation.

According to Sugiono, airspace conditions are not always open. Limited travel routes are also factors that require careful planning.

"Many factors influence the repatriation process, including the local security situation, regulations issued by local authorities, logistics, evacuation routes, which countries have open and which ones have closed airspace, which routes must be taken, and so on," said Sugiono.

Furthermore, the government must coordinate with several countries through which the evacuation process is carried out, both by air and land. In some cases, air routes may be closed due to security situations, requiring evacuations to be conducted via neighboring countries before being flown to Indonesia.

Despite facing various challenges, the government ensures that the repatriation process for Indonesian citizens continues to be carried out in stages. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs urges Indonesian citizens in Iran who wish to participate in repatriation to Indonesia to immediately process the process.

The government has repatriated 22 Indonesian citizens from Iran in the first wave of evacuations today. Then, 10 other Indonesian citizens are scheduled to arrive tomorrow at the arrival area of ????international terminal 3 of Soekarno Hatta Airport, Wednesday, March 11, 2026 at 18.00 WIB.