Indonesia backs mediation to ease U.S.-Iran tensions after strikes
Indonesia’s parliament speaker on Monday backed government efforts to mediate between the United States and Iran after reciprocal military strikes escalated tensions and raised fears of a wider regional conflict.
Ahmad Muzani, Speaker of the People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR), said Indonesia had a constitutional duty under the 1945 Constitution to promote world peace and should actively contribute to easing tensions in the Middle East.
“If it can be done, it would be something to be proud of, for Indonesia to help reduce tensions in the Middle East,” Muzani told reporters at Sunda Kelapa Mosque in Central Jakarta.
He said any mediation effort must be carefully calculated, adding President Prabowo Subianto had weighed strategic considerations before signaling readiness to engage both sides in dialogue.
“We hope this can be carried out, but we must closely observe developments and the evolving situation,” Muzani said.
The comments came after Prabowo said he was ready to travel to Iran to facilitate dialogue aimed at restoring a stable and secure environment.
In an official statement issued in Jakarta on Saturday, Indonesia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the government regretted the collapse of negotiations between the United States and Iran, which it said had contributed to military escalation in the Middle East.
Indonesia urged all parties to exercise restraint and prioritize dialogue and diplomacy, stressing the importance of respecting sovereignty and territorial integrity and resolving disputes through peaceful means.
The ministry said the Indonesian government, through the president, had expressed readiness to facilitate dialogue to restore a conducive security situation and, if agreed by both sides, Prabowo was willing to travel to Tehran to conduct mediation.
The remarks followed joint U.S.-Israeli strikes early on Saturday, Feb. 28, which targeted several strategic locations across Iran, including Tehran, sharply escalating long-simmering hostilities.
Several missiles were reported to have hit areas near the residence of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and the presidential palace during the strikes, according to regional security sources.
In a separate statement, U.S. President Donald Trump said American forces had begun large-scale combat operations in Iran, marking a significant expansion of U.S. military involvement.
Iran retaliated by launching missile attacks against Israel and other targets in Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, heightening fears of a broader regional conflict.
On March 1, 2026, Iran said Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei had died, declaring 40 days of national mourning and a week-long public holiday, underscoring the gravity of the crisis.
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Translator: Walda Marison, Martha Herlinawati Simanjuntak