Conflict Heats Up in Middle East, DPR Asks for Prioritization of Indonesian Citizens' Safety in Iran

JAKARTA, KOMPAS – The DPR urges the government to promptly ensure the safety of Indonesian citizens (WNI) following the escalating conflict in the Middle East due to the United States' attack on Iran's nuclear facilities. Protection, including the evacuation of WNI, must be a priority in facing tensions that could potentially escalate into a regional conflict.

The demand was one of the statements made by member of Commission I of the DPR, Nurul Arifin. The Golkar Party politician urged the government to respond quickly and not wait for the situation to worsen.

He considered that steps to protect Indonesian citizens needed to be taken immediately. "First, we must strive for the safety of Indonesian citizens in Iran. Evacuation needs to be carried out in the face of the escalation that continues to heat up," said Nurul when contacted by Kompas on Saturday (6/22/2025).

As previously reported, U.S. President Donald Trump decided to attack Iran. The strikes were directed at three Iranian nuclear sites, one of which is Fordo. This nuclear site is one of the locations for Iran's uranium enrichment.

"We have successfully attacked three locations of Iran's nuclear facilities, including Fordo, Natanz, and Esfahan," said Trump in a post on his social media account. "All attacking aircraft are now outside Iranian airspace. A large number of bombs have been dropped on the main nuclear site at Fordo."

The Iranian news agency, IRNA, quoted Akbar Salehi, the Deputy Governor of Isfahan responsible for security affairs, confirming the occurrence of an attack near the location of Iran's nuclear facility, but did not provide further details. Other officials confirmed that the attack was targeted at the underground nuclear facility in Fordo.

Trump called the attack on Iran a historic moment for the United States, Israel and the world.

“Iran must now agree to end this war. Thank you!” he wrote in a separate statement posted later (Kompas.id, Sunday, June 22, 2025).

In response to the current situation in the Middle East, Nurul reminded the Indonesian Government to remain consistent with the principles of an active and independent foreign policy and not to rush into taking a position. "Indonesia adheres to a non-aligned political system. It is better not to hastily determine a stance. We will wait for the government's direction on how to proceed," he stated.

In line with Nurul, the Chairman of the Justice and Prosperity Party (PKS) Faction in the DPR, Jazuli Juwaini, urged the government to promptly prepare an emergency evacuation scenario for hundreds of Indonesian citizens in Iran. He emphasized the importance of swift and anticipatory measures to prevent casualties amid the worsening conflict.

"We must have a realistic emergency evacuation scenario in place if the situation worsens. Any sign of escalating tensions, no matter how small, must be responded to swiftly for the safety of Indonesian citizens," said Jazuli.

PKS also asked the government to activate all diplomatic and humanitarian channels to ensure the safety of Indonesian citizens, including strengthening communication with the Indonesian Embassy in Tehran and the nearest Indonesian representatives such as in Cairo. Jazuli proposed increasing the alert status and adjusting the travel warning to the affected areas.

"Activating the crisis center mechanism at the local Indonesian Embassy or bordering countries, including compiling a map of the locations and identities of Indonesian citizens who are spread out," he said.

He added that intensive communication between the Embassy and all Indonesian citizens must be ensured to provide security information on a regular basis. The government is also advised to establish cross-country coordination with international organizations such as the United Nations to open access to humanitarian assistance.

"Within the country, it is certainly necessary to conduct inter-agency coordination, especially with the military and BNPB, regarding emergency scenarios for rapid evacuation and the necessary transportation modes that need to be prepared," Jazuli continued.

In addition, the party urged all Indonesian citizens to promptly report and establish active communication with the local Embassy/Consulate, avoid locations that may become military targets, prepare important documents, and follow all official directives from the Indonesian representatives.

"The war between Israel and Iran is becoming increasingly escalatory and targeting the cities of both countries. It has also spread to several neighboring countries. Many casualties have already occurred and can affect anyone, including our citizens. The state must be fully present and ensure that not a single life of our citizens is lost due to our negligence in acting swiftly," he emphasized.

A member of Commission I of the DPR from the PKS faction, Habib Idrus Salim Aljufri, also reminded of the global impact of Israel's widespread aggression in the Middle East. He assessed that this escalation is not only a humanitarian tragedy but also a threat to the world economy, with the Strait of Hormuz being the most concerning vulnerable point.

"The world must open its eyes and see that the root of the uncertainty in the Middle East today is the barbarity of Israel in Gaza," emphasized Habib Idrus.

He explained that the Strait of Hormuz, as a strategic energy route for the world, contributes one-third of the global crude oil supply and more than one-fifth of global LNG. If this route is disrupted, the impact will be extensive.

"The prices of oil and gas will soar uncontrollably, triggering massive inflation, and potentially dragging the global economy into a severe recession. This is not merely a regional issue; it is a ticking time bomb ignited by Israel's arrogance," he stated.

Habib Idrus rejected the narrative that corners one side and reminded that Israel's provocations, including attacks on other countries and genocide in Gaza, have pushed the region to the brink of major conflict. "Israel's provocative actions have created conditions where extreme options become a consideration for those who feel threatened or oppressed," he stated.

He urged the international community, particularly major countries, to stop their blind support for Israel and to call for an end to the humanitarian crimes in Gaza. "Only by stopping Israel's tyranny can regional stability be restored, and the threat of closing the Strait of Hormuz, along with the accompanying global economic disaster, can be avoided," he said.

According to him, the fate of Palestine is key to the stability of the Middle East. "The fate of Palestine is a barometer of global justice. As long as Palestine is occupied and its people are oppressed, the embers of conflict in the Middle East will continue to burn and threaten the interests of all humanity," he stated.