TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia (KBRI) in Tehran and Indonesia's representatives in the Middle East are monitoring the situation in the region as the world faces the potential of Iran's retaliatory attacks against Israel.

Iran has vowed to retaliate after Israel allegedly attacked its embassy complex in Damascus, the capital of Syria, on April 1, 2024, killing seven military advisers of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

"When they attacked the consulate, they were as if attacking our territory," said Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in his speech at the end of the holy month of Ramadan, quoted by Reuters. "The evil regime made a mistake and must be punished, and indeed will be punished."

The Israeli military stated that it has not issued new instructions to civilians regarding this matter but urged the public to remain vigilant.

"Over the past few days, the military has conducted a situation assessment and approved plans for a series of scenarios following reports and statements regarding the Iranian attacks," said military spokesman Daniel Hagari in a televised statement on Friday, April 12, 2024.

In response to the tension between the two countries, Director of the Protection of Indonesian Citizens (WNI) and Indonesian Legal Entities (BHI) Judha Nugraha said, "The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, along with KBRI Tehran and Indonesian Representatives in the Middle East, continues to monitor the situation in the region."

Judha, in a brief message to reporters on Friday, April 13, 2024, added that every Indonesian representative must have contingency plans according to standard operating procedures (SOP) to anticipate emergency situations for the protection of Indonesian citizens.

Countries including India, France, Poland, and Russia have warned their citizens against traveling to the region, which is at risk of conflict due to the war in Gaza since October 7, 2023. White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said the threat from Iran is real and actionable.

US President Joe Biden also said on Friday that he expects Iran to attack Israel sooner and warned Iran not to continue the attack.

The number of Indonesian citizens in Iran is 376, the majority of whom are students residing in the city of Qom, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs data.

NABIILA AZZAHRA A. | REUTERS

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