JAKARTA, RAKYAT NEWS – The Indonesian government, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA), has begun evacuating its citizens from Iran following the rapid escalation of military tensions between Iran and Israel. The first phase of evacuation is underway as the situation on the ground grows increasingly volatile.

The initial evacuation involves 115 Indonesian nationals who are being transported overland from Tehran to Baku, Azerbaijan, using four buses. Once in Baku, they will be flown back to Indonesia on Sunday, June 22, 2025. This overland route was chosen as the safest and most viable option due to the current state of the conflict.

The decision to evacuate was triggered by a significant deterioration in regional security. Indonesia’s embassy in Tehran raised its alert level from “Alert 2” to “Alert 1” after Israel expanded its strikes to include civilian infrastructure within Iranian territory. These developments have raised serious concerns about the safety of foreign nationals.

The conflict flared after Israel launched a series of attacks on Iranian military and nuclear facilities on June 13. Iran responded with missile strikes targeting Israel, killing 24 people and injuring hundreds. In retaliation, Israel intensified its offensive, which has resulted in over 639 reported deaths and more than 1,300 injuries within Iran.

The Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been coordinating closely with its diplomatic mission in Tehran to ensure the safety of all Indonesian citizens. Prior to departure, evacuees were sheltered at the Indonesian embassy’s safehouse. Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs, Budi Gunawan, is overseeing the operation, while the Indonesian military (TNI) has prepared Hercules and Boeing aircraft to assist with repatriation from Azerbaijan.