Embassy ordered to shut, Malaysians in Iran told to leave immediately
KUALA LUMPUR: Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan has ordered the temporary closure of the Malaysian embassy in Iran.
He also directed all embassy staff in the conflict-stricken country to return home immediately.
Mohamad confirmed that many other foreign missions have done the same following the latest developments in the Middle East involving Israel.
"I have instructed all embassy personnel, including the ambassador, to leave. All Malaysians have been asked to exit Iran.
"However, some still refuse to leave, including three students in Qom and one in Isfahan, as they are located far from Tehran," he said here today.
Earlier, local media reported that the Israeli Air Force had launched a wave of airstrikes on several strategic sites in Iran early this morning, including nuclear facilities, missile bases and military command centres, in what Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described as a "successful opening strike."
Israel launched large-scale airstrikes on Iran, including on nuclear facilities and a residential building in the city of Qom.
The strikes were in retaliation for Iran's earlier missile attacks on Israel just hours prior.
On Wednesday, government spokesman Datuk Fahmi Fadzil said Malaysians in Iran are expected to be evacuated as early as Friday with government assistance, following Israel's aggressive actions that have significantly heightened regional tensions.
He said the foreign minister had informed him that the number of Malaysians in Iran—whether tourists, students, or workers—is relatively small.
He added that all Malaysians in Iran have been advised to leave the country immediately by any safe and available means.
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