By Ilah Hafiz Aziz
KUALA LUMPUR: The Foreign Ministry is working to evacuate Malaysians, including embassy staff, from Iran.
The plan involves overland travel northeast of Tehran towards the Turkmenistan border.
Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said the group would then proceed from the border to the city of Ashgabat.
He said 19 people are slated for evacuation, including one Malaysian permanent resident, two Iranian couples, and one Singaporean.
"Four Malaysian students have opted to remain in Iran and will not be part of the evacuation mission. Three are currently in Qom, while one is in Isfahan.
"We will obtain an indemnity letter from each individual who declines to be evacuated," he said.
Mohamad added that, as of yesterday, 20 Malaysians were registered with the Malaysian Embassy in Tehran. This includes nine Home-Based Staff (HBS) and their family members.
Malaysia's Ambassador to Iran, Khairi Omar, said the situation in Tehran remains tense due to the ongoing conflict between Iran and Israel, but said situations are still under control.
He confirmed that all Malaysians in the country are safe and are taking necessary precautions.
He said that, as of June 18, the total number of registered Malaysians stood at 20, including nine embassy officials and their family members.
"Everyone is safe and continues to take necessary precautions. We remain in close contact with the embassy and are following instructions issued by the Iranian authorities.
"Phone lines, internet access, and other communication channels are severely affected and unstable.
"Apologies for not being able to answer calls at the moment," he added.
Government spokesman Datuk Fahmi Fadzil yesterday had said Malaysians currently in Iran are expected to be evacuated by Friday.
The communications minister added that necessary arrangements are being made in light of escalating tensions in the region.