4 Singaporeans evacuated, 7 others given help to leave Iran amid conflict with Israel: MFA

SINGAPORE: Four Singaporeans have been evacuated from Iran, while seven more were given help to leave the country amid the Iran-Israel conflict, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Monday (Jun 23).

A family of three Singaporeans was evacuated from Iranian capital Tehran to Oman's Muscat alongside a group of Omanis and other nationals.

Separately, another Singaporean was evacuated with a group of Malaysians and other nationals from Iran to Ashgabat in Turkmenistan. On Sunday, Malaysia's Foreign Affairs Ministry said in a news release that the group comprised one Singaporean, 17 Malaysians and six Iranians who are dependants of Malaysians.

They crossed the Iran–Turkmenistan border on Saturday and arrived at Kuala Lumpur International Airport via a Malaysia Airlines flight.

Singapore's MFA said that it has been providing consular assistance to Singaporeans in Iran, including exploring evacuation options in the absence of a Singapore diplomatic mission in the country.

"The Singapore Embassy in Muscat and the Singapore High Commission in Kuala Lumpur worked closely with their host governments and embassy counterparts to facilitate the Singaporeans’ departure from Iran," it said on Monday, expressing its gratitude to the governments of Oman and Malaysia.

"MFA has also provided the necessary consular assistance to seven other Singaporeans in Iran who have left via the Iran-Armenia land border and the port of Bandar Abbas to the United Arab Emirates."

In a Facebook post on Monday night, Foreign Affairs Minister Vivian Balakrishnan said that the Singaporeans who were evacuated "have now returned home safely".

"The swift assistance by the Omani and Malaysian governments reflects the strength and solidarity of our enduring friendship, especially during times of need," Dr Balakrishnan said.

In a letter, the minister thanked his Omani counterpart Sayyid Badr Albusaidi as well for helping to evacuate three Singaporeans – a woman and her two young children.

He also thanked Malaysia's Mohamad Hasan for the help rendered, which allowed Singapore to "operationalise an evacuation plan under difficult circumstances".

"Their prompt assistance, particularly securing the necessary accommodation, transportation and entry permits into Turkmenistan, was crucial in ensuring the safety of our citizens.

"This support reinforces the close and enduring relationship between Singapore and Malaysia. Hard times reveal true friends," Dr Balakrishnan wrote.

On Jun 13, MFA advised Singaporeans to defer all travel to Iran.

"Singaporeans who are in Iran should remain vigilant, monitor developments closely and consider leaving as soon as practicable," it said in the advisory.

"Singapore has no diplomatic mission in Iran, which constrains our ability to extend consular assistance in an emergency."

Commenting on the situation in the Middle East at the time, MFA said that there were no reports of Singaporeans injured in Israel or Iran.