Conflict Strands Indonesian Citizens in Middle East

Airspace Closures and Escalating Tensions Leave Travelers Stranded

Dozens of Indonesian citizens are stuck in the Middle East amidst escalating regional conflict, specifically in Israel, Jordan, and Iran. Airspace closures and flight suspensions are the primary cause of the travel disruptions, impacting several Indonesian travelers.

Stranded Travelers Face Uncertainty

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 42 Indonesian religious pilgrims are stranded in Israel. Additionally, eight Hajj pilgrims find themselves in Jordan, and two Indonesians are in Tehran, Iran. The ministry’s Director for the Protection of Indonesian Citizens, Judha Nugraha, confirmed these figures on Monday.

Indonesian embassies in Amman and Tehran are offering assistance to the affected citizens. The ministry and diplomatic missions in the Middle East are carefully monitoring the situation. As of now, there have been no reports of Indonesians directly harmed by the hostilities between Iran and Israel.

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“The Indonesian citizens, who were on short trips, are stranded due to airspace closures and suspended flights,”

—Judha Nugraha, Ministry’s Director for the Protection of Indonesian Citizens

The conflict has also caused a significant rise in global oil prices, with crude oil futures increasing by 5% in the past week (U.S. Energy Information Administration).

Tensions Rise Between Iran and Israel

Tensions have dramatically increased between Iran and Israel after coordinated Israeli airstrikes targeted multiple sites in Tehran last week, including military and nuclear facilities. Iran retaliated swiftly, launching its “Operation True Promise III” on June 14.

The Iranian strikes targeted economic and industrial infrastructure in Haifa, Israel. In response, Israel attacked Iran’s Ministry of Defense and oil depots in Tehran. Iran has reported 78 deaths from the initial Israeli strike, with further casualties from subsequent attacks.

The renewed conflict has delayed the indirect nuclear negotiations between Iran and the United States, which were mediated by Oman. The sixth round of talks, which was slated for June 15 in Muscat, has been postponed due to the escalating situation.