Singapore thanks Malaysia for help in safe return of citizen from Iran

New Straits Times

5 hours ago

KUALA LUMPUR: Singapore has expressed its appreciation to the Malaysian government for facilitating the safe return of one of its citizens from Iran.
In an official letter to Malaysia's Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, Singapore's Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan praised the swift and professional assistance provided by Wisma Putra and the Malaysian embassies in Tehran and Ashgabat.
He said their efforts, which included arranging accommodation, transport, and safe passage through Turkmenistan, were instrumental in ensuring a successful evacuation.
"The swift and professional support provided by the Wisma Putra Consular Division and the Malaysian embassies in Tehran and Ashgabat allowed us to operationalise an evacuation plan under difficult circumstances.
"Their prompt assistance, particularly in securing the necessary accommodation, transportation, and entry permits into Turkmenistan, was crucial in ensuring the safety of our citizens," the letter read.
He added that Malaysia's readiness to respond in a time of crisis reflected the enduring and trusted relationship between the two nations, stating that "hard times reveal true friends."
"We sincerely appreciate your government's readiness to extend assistance in times of crisis.
"This is also a testament to Asean solidarity and a real-life demonstration of the importance of the Asean Guidelines on Consular Assistance for Asean Member States to help one another's citizens."
Balakrishnan said the Singaporean citizen was evacuated with a group of Malaysians and other nationals from Iran to Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, with the assistance of the Malaysian government.
Meanwhile, a family of three Singaporeans was evacuated from Tehran, Iran, to Muscat, Oman, with the help of the Omani government, alongside a group of Omani citizens and other foreign nationals.
US President Donald Trump said Monday on social media that Israel and Iran have agreed to a 'complete and total ceasefire' to be phased in over 24 hours.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump said that the ceasefire would bring an 'Official END' to the war, a major change in the hostilities that follows a US strike over the weekend on three Iranian nuclear sites.
Over a week of tit-for tat missile launches have killed hundreds in Iran and two dozen in Israel.