TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesian Embassy in Tehran on Saturday, April 13, 2024, urged Indonesian citizens residing in Iran to remain vigilant and ensure their safety following the escalation of conflict in the region between Iran and Israel. Iran launched hundreds of drones and missiles towards Israel on Saturday night, April 13, 2024, in the Islamic Republic's first direct attack on the Jewish state. The attack triggered sirens across the country on Sunday morning as the Israeli military sought to intercept Iran's projectiles.

"The Indonesian Embassy in Tehran calls on all Indonesian citizens in the Islamic Republic of Iran to increase vigilance and ensure the safety of themselves and their families in carrying out daily activities," the embassy announced in a written statement.

Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) spokesperson Daniel Hagari confirmed on Saturday, April 13, 2024, at 23:00 that the attack, which had been anticipated for several days, had begun. Iran's salvo so far amounted to more than 200 drones and missiles, Hagari said, as quoted by the Times of Israel, and had caused minor damage to an IDF military facility.

Iran has acknowledged the attack, according to an announcement from the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) public relations office on Saturday.

"The IRGC Aerospace Forces launched dozens of missiles and drones at specific targets inside the occupied territories in response to various crimes by the Zionist regime, including airstrikes targeting Iranian diplomatic missions in Damascus on April 1," the IRGC statement said, as quoted by the Tasnim news agency.

Iran had vowed to launch a retaliation after April 1, 2024, when Israeli fighter jets allegedly bombed an Iranian consulate complex in Damascus, Syria, killing seven IRGC military personnel, including two senior commanders. Israel neither acknowledged nor denied responsibility for the consulate attack.

Israel's Channel 12 television quoted an unnamed Israeli official as saying there would be a "significant response" to the Iranian attack.

All Indonesian citizens in Iran are urged to maintain communication and inform the Indonesian Embassy in Tehran of their situation and whereabouts. The Indonesian Embassy in Tehran also advises Indonesian citizens to "avoid mass gatherings, high-risk areas, and limit movement as much as possible" and to "always adhere to the security advisories issued by relevant authorities."

The Indonesian representation in Tehran provides a hotline for Indonesian citizens to contact in case of emergency at +989024468889 (phone and WhatsApp) and +989914668845 (WhatsApp).

NABIILA AZZAHRA A. | TIMES OF ISRAEL | TASNIM

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