Indonesia Must Firmly Push for Iran-United States Ceasefire
The Middle East has entered a worrying phase of escalation following the United States’ launch of a wave of airstrikes against dozens of Iranian military targets. These strikes were a response to ballistic missile attacks previously directed by Tehran towards US military bases in Jordan. The operation, announced by United States Central Command (CENTCOM), targeted Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) command centres, missile facilities, drone bases, and coastal defence systems, while also reportedly causing civilian casualties on Qeshm Island according to Iranian state media.
This cycle of retaliation demonstrates that the conflict has moved beyond diplomatic pressure into open military confrontation, with the potential to involve more regional actors. This development heightens international fears of a regional war. Beyond Iran and the United States, the escalation now involves Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Jordan, Egypt, Kuwait, Oman, the Houthcal rebels in Yemen, and various pro-Iranian militia groups in Iraq. Furthermore, drone attacks on gas storage ships in Damietta Port, Egypt, and threats to shipping lanes in the Strait of Hormuz indicate that the conflict has moved beyond military dimensions to threaten global trade stability and international energy security.
In this situation, Indonesia cannot remain a passive observer. As a nation adhering to a ‘free and active’ foreign policy, and possessing a constitutional mandate to participate in maintaining world order based on independence, lasting peace, and social justice, Indonesia holds the moral and political legitimacy to call for an end to the escalation. A call for a ceasefire is not an act of taking sides, but a commitment to resolving disputes through dialogue, respect for international law, and the protection of civilians who are the primary victims of war.
The recent escalation shows a shift from limited warfare to a more systematic and widespread confrontation. CENTCOM announced that the US military operation lasted approximately two hours, targeting dozens of strategic IRGC facilities. While Washington framed the operation as a direct response to Iranian missile attacks on US forces, Iranian media reported that the strikes hit residential areas on Qeshm Island, resulting in the deaths of three civilians, including a two-year-old child. This reality underscores the urgent need to apply the principles of international humanitarian law.
The conflict intensified as Iran launched further ballistic missiles towards US bases in Jordan, while the Jordanian Armed Forces claimed to have intercepted several missiles. Previously, the IRGC also announced attacks on oil tankers passing through the Strait of Hormuz, citing violations of Iranian security warnings. This indicates that Tehran is using international shipping lanes as a geopolitical pressure instrument. President Donald Trump has also hardened his rhetoric, stating the US would ‘hit them very hard,’ suggesting that diplomatic space is shrinking. Although there were signals of potential negotiations days prior, the shift toward military action shows the fragility of current de-escalation mechanisms. The conflict has evolved into a multidimensional war involving missile strikes, air operations, maritime warfare, and information warfare, threatening global economic stability. The increasing involvement of regional actors, such as Saudi Arabia joining US operations against pro-Iranian militias in Iraq following attacks on its energy infrastructure, further increases the risk of a widespread regional war.