Dino Recommends Indonesia Adopt Clear Stance on US-Iran Conflict
Former Deputy Foreign Minister Dino Patti Djalal has stated that Indonesia must assert its position clearly and unequivocally regarding the combined attacks by the United States and Israel against Iran.
Dino argued that the most pressing priority for Indonesia is not to seek the role of peacemaker in the conflict between the US, Israel, and Iran. He remarked that “the attacks by America and Israel against Iran contradict all the principles presented by President Prabowo Subianto in his historic address to the UN General Assembly last year,” in a video posted to his personal Instagram account @dinopattidjalal on Sunday, 1 March 2026.
Israel launched an unprovoked attack against Iran on Saturday morning, 28 February 2026. The assault was described as a joint military operation between the US and Israel.
In response to this military escalation in the Middle East, Indonesia’s Foreign Ministry issued an official statement expressing deep regret over the failed negotiations between the US and Iran. The Indonesian government, represented by President Prabowo, expressed readiness to facilitate dialogue to restore conducive security conditions. Should both sides agree, President Prabowo stands prepared to travel to Tehran to conduct mediation.
Dino Patti Djalal stressed that the government must be capable of criticising actions by superpowers if such actions contradict Indonesia’s principles. “We must dare to state what is right, is right, and what is wrong, is wrong, whatever the risks,” he said. According to Dino, if Indonesia cannot criticise the actions of other nations that diverge from its stance, this would mean Indonesia no longer adheres to a free and active foreign policy.
The former deputy foreign minister, who served during President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono’s administration, noted that Indonesia has historically not hesitated to oppose or disagree with the United States. “Whether in the case of the American attack on Iraq, regarding the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, regarding the membership of the People’s Republic of China in the UN, and other matters,” Dino stated.
He emphasised that disagreement does not mean hostility. Similarly, partnership does not mean Indonesia must submit to the United States.
Dino also questioned the feasibility of President Prabowo’s proposed trip to Tehran to serve as a peacemaker between Iran and the United States. He outlined at least four reasons for this assessment. First, according to Dino, the United States rarely accepts mediation from third parties when conducting military operations.
“America’s ego as a superpower is too high to accept that,” Dino remarked. He believed that US President Donald Trump does not want Indonesia to intervene, as Trump appears determined to topple Iran’s government.
Second, Dino contended that there is currently insufficient closeness or trust between Iran’s government and Indonesia’s government. In the past 15 months, President Prabowo has neither visited Iran nor met with Iran’s president. There have been no bilateral meetings between the two leaders in a third country, such as at a BRICS summit or D-8 summit. Foreign Minister Sugiono has also never conducted a bilateral visit to Tehran.
Third, it is impossible for US President Donald Trump and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio—as the parties attacking Iran—to be willing to visit Tehran.
Finally, mediation would require President Prabowo to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the primary aggressor in the attack on Iran. Dino stressed that this is impossible to execute politically, diplomatically, or logistically.
Dino stated that a meeting between Prabowo and Netanyahu would constitute political suicide for President Prabowo domestically.
“I truly do not know where this marvellous idea comes from for President Prabowo to fly to Tehran to serve as mediator in this triangular conflict,” Dino concluded.