Gus Yahya Urges Prabowo to Use Board of Peace to Reconcile the US and Iran

Jakarta — Yahya Cholil Staquf, commonly known as Gus Yahya, the chairman of Nahdlatul Ulama’s Central Board (PBNU), has urged Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto to utilise the Board of Peace (BoP) to foster peace between the United States and Iran.

‘Yes, we will look for a way; utilise the BoP for that peace endeavour. Whatever we already have at hand, let us use it,’ Gus Yahya told reporters at the Presidential Palace complex in Central Jakarta on Thursday, 5 March 2026.

Gus Yahya said that at present there is no option other than to halt the war. ‘Because if not, nobody will be saved. The violence must end as soon as possible by any means available,’ he said.

Therefore, he urged the government to seek opportunities to leverage Indonesia’s BoP membership to realise peace. ‘Let no one discard something merely because it appears weak; you know the way you use it matters. We must use anything because the goal of peace is absolute,’ he concluded.

Earlier, former Foreign Minister Hassan Wirajuda said President Prabowo Subianto would evaluate Indonesia’s membership in the Board of Peace following the escalation of conflict between the United States-Israel and Iran. He made the remarks after a meeting with Prabowo and former president and vice president at Istana Merdeka, Central Jakarta, on Tuesday night, 3 March 2026.

Wirajuda noted that an evaluation of Indonesia’s BoP membership was necessary given the dynamic situation on the ground. The government would consider several aspects, including funding commitments and Indonesia’s troop deployments, which have long been described as among the largest in the mission.

‘The decision is not yet made. He will of course evaluate and take the appropriate decision in due course,’ Hassan told ANTARA on Wednesday, 4 March 2026.