Expert: Indonesia can mediate peace between Iran and the US

An international relations expert from Padjadjaran University, Teuku Rezasyah, has assessed that Indonesia holds a strategic position to help break the deadlock in peace negotiations between the US and Iran, amidst global scepticism regarding the achievement of such an agreement. According to Rezasyah, a peace deal is currently difficult to realise because both the US and Iran are equally unwilling to budge from their initial positions. This situation is worsened by the actions of Israel—a US ally—which continues to launch attacks on Gaza and Lebanon. “Even if the US and Iran approach any sort of agreement, no matter how small, Israel ruins it through various armed actions in Gaza and southern Lebanon,” Rezasyah said on Thursday. He added that US pressure on Israel to soften its stance is often ignored. As far as Israel is concerned, Donald Trump is seen as the only US President who can be psychologically influenced, hence his policies are very pro-Israel. Nevertheless, Rezasyah sees that an opening for a deal is still possible if there is firmness from the UN Secretary-General, including by assigning international experts in maritime law and nuclear issues to support Pakistan’s diplomacy during the negotiations in Islamabad. “In this way, the US and Iran would be treated with honour, fairly, and measurably, so that both can better appreciate each other’s aspirations,” said the Associate Professor at President University. Amidst the need for consistent international pressure, Rezasyah estimates that Indonesia could take on the role of a peace initiator due to its position, which is respected by both the US and Iran. On the other hand, the absence of official diplomatic relations between Jakarta and Tel Aviv actually places Indonesia in an honourable position in the eyes of Israel. However, to optimise this diplomatic bargaining power, Indonesia cannot move alone but must galvanise global solidarity. “Indonesia needs to rally global solidarity, primarily with ASEAN, the D-8, the OIC, the Non-Aligned Movement, BRICS, the Arab League, MIKTA, and South-South Cooperation,” he said. As a long-term peace objective, Rezasyah suggested that Indonesia replicate ASEAN’s best experiences in the Middle East, namely by designing a mechanism towards a Zone of Peace, Freedom and Neutrality and a Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone specifically for that region. Responding to views that Indonesia’s diplomatic voice under the leadership of President Prabowo Subianto and Foreign Minister Sugiono is currently considered less vocal in responding to global issues, Rezasyah stressed the importance of strengthening internal affairs first. “To build international trust in rallying solidarity, Indonesia must prove itself capable of managing its domestic situation to become more prosperous, stable, honourable, and measured,” said Rezasyah. “The success indicators rest on the implementation of the Asta Cita programme, the progressive achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, the improvement of general welfare, and law-based governance,” he added.