Foreign Ministry Responds to Dino's Criticism: Foreign Minister and MPR Speaker to Attend Khamenei's Funeral

Former Deputy Foreign Minister and founder of the Foreign Policy Community of Indonesia (FPCI), Dino Patti Djalal, highlighted that the Indonesian government only sent an ambassador to the funeral ceremony of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Kemlu) has responded to the criticism. Dino’s criticism was initially posted on his personal Instagram account on Monday (6/7/2026). Dino questioned Indonesia’s ‘free and active’ foreign policy stance. ‘With respect, I am truly baffled as to why the Indonesian Government did not fulfil Iran’s invitation to send an official delegation to the funeral of the late Ayatollah Khamenei, who was killed in an illegal military attack. From what I hear, various persistent efforts by Iran to invite the Indonesian Government received no response. (They also have their pride—they wouldn’t beg for our presence). In the end, only the Indonesian Ambassador in Tehran attended, which was perceived by Tehran as belittling the invitation,’ he wrote in the post’s caption. ‘Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Turkey, Oman, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Russia, China, India, Malaysia, and others (see list) did not hesitate to send official delegations at the ministerial level, with Pakistan even sending its President. Indonesia, as the world’s largest Muslim-majority country, was the only one absent from sending a delegation,’ he said. Dino questioned Indonesia’s foreign policy stance and linked it to the power of the United States. He also touched upon what he sees as problematic management of Indonesia’s foreign policy system. ‘Does this mean our ’free and active’ foreign policy is fading because Indonesia is afraid or reluctant towards America? Has ‘FEAR’ become a factor in Indonesian foreign policy? Or does this blunder more reflect a problematic foreign policy management system—as is often the case, invitation letters get stuck on various desks and no one dares to make a decision. At the very least, Indonesia could have sent Deputy Foreign Minister for Islamic World Affairs Anis Matta—but he was busy touring Central Asia for a routine visit,’ he said. Dino stressed that Iran has long been a friend of Indonesia. He felt the presence of an official Indonesian delegation at Khamenei’s funeral should have been a moment of friendship between Indonesia and Iran. ‘We seem to forget that Iran is an old friend of Indonesia, relations have always been warm and mutually respectful, and there has never been any conflict between the two countries. The presence of an official Indonesian delegation at the final tribute to Ayatollah Khamenei (which unfortunately did not happen) should have been a moment to prove Indonesia’s free and active diplomacy, a moment of RI-Iran friendship, and a firm signal from Jakarta that the killing of Ayatollah Khamenei was an illegal act that violates international law and norms,’ he said. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs responded to Dino’s post regarding the Indonesian delegation. Kemlu Spokesperson II Vahd Nabyl confirmed that the government has decided that Foreign Minister Sugiono and MPR Speaker Ahmad Muzani will attend the funeral procession for Khamenei on Thursday, 9 July. ‘As conveyed by the Foreign Minister, the Indonesian Government has assigned the Indonesian Ambassador in Tehran to represent the Indonesian Government at the funeral of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Then the Iranian side confirmed that they would only grant access to officials above the rank of Ambassador,’ Vahd told reporters on Tuesday (7/7/2026). Vahd stated that the attendance of Sugiono and Ahmad Muzani is still being coordinated with the Iranian government. ‘The funeral is planned for 9 July, and the Foreign Minister together with the MPR Speaker plan to attend the ceremony. This is still being coordinated with the Iranian side,’ he said.