Assessing Indonesia's Capacity as a Peacemaker Amid the Middle East Crisis

Indonesia has offered to act as mediator as the Middle East conflict heats up after Israel and the United States attacked Iran over the weekend. The aim is to restore a conducive security environment. If accepted by both sides, Indonesia’s president is prepared to travel to Tehran to conduct the mediation. So, what are the chances? To date, there has been no firm decision from the two conflicting camps — Israel/United States and Iran — after the offer was made. The commitment comes after talks with both sides following Prabowo’s willingness to mediate. Therefore, Indonesia is still awaiting further decisions from the two camps. “We are waiting to see what happens because they said yes, we will see in the coming days or weeks,” Sugiono said at the Presidential Palace complex in Central Jakarta, Tuesday night, 3 March 2026. In fact, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Indonesia, Mohammad Boroujerdi, previously stated that Iran believed there has been no mediation or negotiations so far with the US that would be significantly impactful. Nevertheless, he appreciated Indonesia’s willingness to become a mediator. “We believe that at present there is no negotiation or talks with the United States that would be useful, because they are not bound or bound by any outcome,” Boroujerdi said at a press conference in Menteng, Central Jakarta, Monday (2/3/2026). Sugiono does not deny that Prabowo’s offer to mediate requires Iran and the US to be willing to participate together. After all, recently the Iranian Embassy in Indonesia expressed its skepticism about mediation with the US.