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The Star

As night gave way to day along Iran’s uncertain highways, a convoy of Malaysians pressed eastward from the capital, racing against the spectre of violence to reach the safety of the Turkmenistan border.
The evacuation of 17 Malaysians from conflict-hit Iran unfolded as a day-long odyssey spanning more than 1,000km (620 miles) as tensions mounted.
Among them was Khairi Omar, Malaysia’s ambassador to Iran, who called the operation “challenging but successful” amid the precarious security situation gripping the region.
“Thanks to the close cooperation of the Turkmenistan government, we were allowed entry and proceeded directly to Ashgabat Airport for a connecting flight,” Khairi said on Sunday following the group’s return.


From Ashgabat, the evacuees made their way to Bangkok, Thailand, before finally touching down in Malaysia late on Sunday night.
They were among a broader group of 24 people, which also included six Iranians with immediate Malaysian family members and one Singaporean national.
At precisely 11.03pm, Malaysia Airlines flight MH781 from Bangkok landed at Kuala Lumpur International Airport Terminal 1, where Ahmad Rozian Abd Ghani, a deputy secretary general in the Malaysian foreign ministry, awaited them in the arrival hall.
Detailing the ordeal, Khairi explained how the group departed Tehran by road, heading eastward across the Iranian landscape.
“It was a long trip – over 24 hours on the road – and we even had to spend a night at the border,” he told reporters at the airport.

Throughout the journey, the Malaysian embassy coordinated closely with authorities in both Iran and neighbouring countries, as violence escalated in the country’s west.
“The attacks were sudden and severe. Within a day or two, we started seeing a pattern where clashes were more intense at night and calmer during the day,” Khairi said.
“But we had to be very careful. Wrong place, wrong time, and you could end up in a very dangerous situation.”
We had to be very careful. Wrong place, wrong time, and you could end up in a very dangerous situation
Malaysia’s Ambassador to Iran Khairi Omar
The ambassador confirmed that about 12 Malaysians remained in Iran, most of them students or spouses of Iranians. Maintaining contact with those left behind was an ongoing struggle, Khairi said.
With roaming services suspended and WhatsApp largely blocked, embassy staff have resorted to the SMS network, which only functions between Iranian numbers.
“We can’t make calls from Malaysia to Iran, but thankfully, outgoing calls from Iran are still possible,” Khairi said.
He reassured the public that all remaining Malaysians were safe and accounted for.
“We are doing our utmost to maintain communication as effectively as possible,” he said.
This article was first published by The Star


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A convoy of 17 Malaysians and one Singaporean endured a harrowing 24-hour overland journey across Iran to reach safety as violence escalated


A convoy of 17 Malaysians and one Singaporean endured a harrowing 24-hour overland journey across Iran to reach safety as violence escalated.


Malaysian evacuees’ 1,000km escape from conflict-torn Iran

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}A convoy of 17 Malaysians and one Singaporean endured a harrowing 24-hour overland journey across Iran to reach safety as violence escalated

A convoy of 17 Malaysians and one Singaporean endured a harrowing 24-hour overland journey across Iran to reach safety as violence escalated