Former Deputy Foreign Minister Wonders Why Indonesia Did Not Offer Condolences on Khamenei's Death

Former Deputy Foreign Minister Dino Patti Djalal questions why Indonesia did not express condolences when Iran’s spiritual leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed. According to Dino, such condolences are customary when a leader of a friendly country dies. ‘Was it forgetfulness or intentional? If intentional, what are we afraid of? Are we sure we are still free to act?’ he said in a post on X on Wednesday, 4 March 2026. Dino argued that, given what he perceives as the Indonesian government’s cool response to the death of the spiritual leader, it is not surprising that Iran’s foreign minister politely rejected Indonesia’s mediation offer. ‘Maybe they doubt Indonesia’s motives, something to think about #wisdomwithoutfear,’ he wrote. Dino noted that for years Iran had been a friend of Indonesia. The two countries are both members of the Non-Aligned Movement, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), D8, G77, and BRICS. Indeed, Dino did not deny that the RI often has different views and positions from Iran, and that the political systems and ideologies of the two countries differ as well. However, Indonesia and Iran have never clashed. Iran has many enemies but has never asked the Indonesian government to oppose its enemies. The focus of the bilateral relationship between the two nations is cooperation, friendship and mutual respect. ‘Are we sure we are still free to act?’