Gus Yahya Says Prabowo Will Use BoP to De-escalate Middle East Conflict

JAKARTA — President Prabowo Subianto will use the Board of Peace (BoP) as a means to help de-escalate the escalating conflict in the Middle East.

This was conveyed by Yahya Cholil Staquf, General Chairman of Nahdlatul Ulama (PBNU), after Prabowo’s meeting with ulama, preachers, and leaders of pesantren at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta on Thursday evening, 5 March 2026.

“What the President conveyed earlier is that he would seek to use this BoP as a kind of Indonesian presence within the BoP as a means to help drive the de-escalation process, and, more importantly, peace over the war currently under way,” Mr Yahya said on Thursday.

He even argued that Indonesia should place the BoP agenda on hold until talks for de-escalation between the two sides in conflict — the United States and Iran — have taken place.

“If necessary, for example, Indonesia could state that BoP agendas are on hold until talks for de-escalation and peace from the United States–Israel war against Iran take place. That is how I see it,” he added.

Gus Yahya continued, Prabowo also stressed his commitment to do whatever is necessary for peace and the peaceful resolution of the issue.

According to him, Prabowo is an actor who can be accepted by all sides, thus having a chance to become a mediator of communication among the conflicting parties.

“Moreover, because the resolution of issues, particularly the Middle East conflict today, will be directly linked to our own domestic interests, the President will do everything,” Gus Yahya said.