MALAYSIA has temporarily shut down its embassy in Tehran and ordered the immediate return of all diplomatic personnel amid growing instability in the Middle East, Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan announced on Friday.
“I have instructed all embassy personnel, including the ambassador, to leave. All Malaysians have been asked to exit Iran,” said Mohamad during a press conference in Kuala Lumpur.
He confirmed that Malaysia’s move follows similar actions by several other foreign missions, as the situation in Iran deteriorates following large-scale Israeli airstrikes.
The minister said a number of Malaysians in Iran have already complied with the directive, though a few have remained, including “three students in Qom and one in Isfahan, as they are located far from Tehran.”
Earlier reports from regional media stated that Israeli fighter jets launched a series of strikes early Friday morning on Iranian infrastructure, including military command centres, nuclear facilities and missile sites. A residential area in Qom was also reportedly hit. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the assault as a “successful opening strike” in retaliation for an Iranian missile barrage fired just hours earlier.
Government spokesman Datuk Fahmi Fadzil said efforts are underway to facilitate the safe evacuation of remaining Malaysians, with departures potentially beginning as early as Friday.
“The foreign minister has informed me that the number of Malaysians in Iran—whether tourists, students, or workers—is relatively small,” said Fahmi. “All Malaysians in Iran have been advised to leave the country immediately by any safe and available means.”
The government has not yet announced when or whether the embassy will reopen. - June 21, 2025
