Former Foreign Minister warns Indonesia must be accepted by Iran and the US if it wants to be a mediator

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - Former Foreign Minister Hassan Wirajuda stated that Indonesia must be able to be accepted by the parties in conflict raging between Iran and Israel and the United States (US). Unfortunately, according to Hassan, so far there are no signs of acceptance from those countries. ‘We are not discussing what Indonesia is capable of. That is the initial thought. In other words, to become a mediator there must also be acceptance from the two conflicting parties. And we have not seen signs of that yet,’ Hassan said at the Presidential Palace Complex, Central Jakarta, Tuesday (3/3/2026). The meeting among others indeed discussed the escalating conflict between Iran and Israel. President Prabowo, Hassan said, gave direct briefing regarding the open conflict. ‘The President provided an update briefing on various latest developments that have occurred in the world. Especially relating to what has long been the concern among us, namely the most recent developments of the war or attacks by the United States and Israel against Iran,’ he said. Primarily, when the world order is no longer effective and the United Nations (UN) role shrinks. All rules, he continued, are only written on paper and not implemented. Therefore, Prabowo also stressed the importance of a country being able to navigate between countries that are not aligned. The meeting between Prabowo and the figures also raises the potential weakening of the function and mandate of the Board of Peace (BoP) that Indonesia participates in if the conflict does not subside. ‘We discuss (BoP), but also in the context of the latest developments whether with the war raging in Iran this will weaken, the possibility of weakening the position and mandate of BoP? We will recalculate from that side,’ Hassan said. The meeting was attended by the 6th President of Indonesia Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, the 7th President Joko Widodo, the 13th Vice President Ma’ruf Amin, the 10th and 12th Vice Presidents Jusuf Kalla, and the 11th Vice President Boediono. Also present were former Foreign Ministers, the general chairman of the coalition party, the General Chairman of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry Anindya Bakrie, the General Chairman of the Indonesian Young Entrepreneurs Association Shinta Widjaja Kamdani, the General Chairman of BPP Himpunan Pengusaha Muda Indonesia Akbar Himawan Buchari, and several Red-and-White Cabinet ministers.