By Mohd Iswandi Kasan Anuar
JAKARTA, June 19 (Bernama) -- Indonesia has raised the alert level at its embassy in Tehran from Level 2 to Level 1, which is the highest level, and is preparing contingency plans to evacuate its citizens amid intensifying Israeli strikes on Iran, Foreign Minister Sugiono said on Thursday.
He said around 380 Indonesian nationals currently in Tehran and other cities are facing mounting threats amid a worsening security situation, as Israel intensifies its attacks on both military targets and civilian areas.
“Two days ago, I instructed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Embassy of Indonesia in Tehran to assess plans and possible scenarios for the evacuation of Indonesian citizens,” he said in a video statement released by the ministry from St Petersburg, Russia.
Contingency and evacuation measures are being put in place, Sugiono added. Jakarta has also opened lines of communication with neighbouring countries to secure safe passage should evacuation become necessary.
Sugiono is in Russia for President Prabowo Subianto’s June 19 to 20 visit to meet his counterpart Vladimir Putin and attend the St Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF).
He is also set to attend an emergency meeting of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Istanbul from June 21 to 22, where ministers will discuss the ongoing conflict in Gaza and the recent Israeli attacks on Iran.
“The minister will present Indonesia’s views on key global and Islamic world issues, including the Israel-Iran conflict, humanitarian concerns in Gaza, and the need for stronger economic cooperation among member states,” the ministry said in a statement.
Indonesia, one of the founding members of the OIC since 1969, reaffirmed its commitment to peace and stability, particularly in supporting Palestinian independence.
The meeting is expected to conclude with the adoption of resolutions and the Istanbul Declaration outlining a collective response to current challenges, the ministry added.
-- BERNAMA
