Diplomatic Analysis: The Meaning of Megawati Soekarnoputri's Condolence Letter on the Death of Ayatollah Khamenei
The death of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, at the end of February 2026 has unsettled the global geopolitical map. In the wake of mourning, the fifth President of the Republic of Indonesia, Megawati Sukarnoputri, sent an official condolence letter via Hasto Kristiyanto, Secretary General of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), to the Embassy of Iran in Jakarta on Tuesday (3/3).
The condolence letter states: ‘The Indonesian people stand with the Iranian people in rejecting any form of unilateral military aggression that endangers peace in the region and the world.’
Ali Khamenei is known to greatly admire the thoughts of Indonesia’s Proklamator, Soekarno. He often studies the concepts of Pancasila and the Bandung Principles as inspiration in defending Iran’s sovereignty from Western influence.
Through Megawati’s step, Indonesia again asserts its Doctrine of Independent and Active Foreign Policy. Indonesia does not align with any bloc, but is active in voicing peace and opposing colonialism in the world.
As one of the economic and energy powers in the Middle East, stability in Iran has a significant influence on global commodity prices, including in Indonesia. Megawati’s diplomatic move serves as a balancing act and an effort to maintain bilateral relations that have been nurtured since 1950.
Megawati Soekarnoputri’s condolence letter is a symbol that Indonesia remains consistent in its anti-imperialist stance. In a world of uncertainty, maintaining solidarity with countries that fight for sovereignty is key to a dignified diplomacy. (E-4)
Amid escalation of conflict in the Middle East, US President Donald Trump offered cutting commentary regarding Iran’s participation in the 2026 World Cup.
In February 2004, history records the important diplomatic step of Indonesia’s fifth President, Megawati Sukarnoputri, when she set foot in Tehran, Iran.
President Prabowo Subianto has stressed that Indonesia must be prepared to face various possibilities arising from the escalating Middle East conflict.
The fifth President of the Republic of Indonesia, Megawati Sukarnoputri, has sent an official condolence letter to the government of the Islamic Republic of Iran following the death of its Supreme Leader.