Indonesia Secures Alternative Energy Sources Amid US-Iran Negotiations

Jakarta - The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) has stated that the government continues to secure alternative energy sources amid ongoing negotiations between the United States (US) and Iran. “Looking at the long process of Iran-US negotiations, the government must continue to ensure it secures the nation’s energy sources, whatever the conditions in the Middle East,” said ESDM Ministry Spokesperson Dwi Anggia when contacted from Jakarta on Tuesday. The statement was in response to the negotiations between Iran and the US in Switzerland. Although the talks signal a positive move towards easing tensions in the Middle East and opening up stability in world oil prices, Anggia assessed that the relationship between Iran and the US remains dynamic. According to her, Indonesia must still anticipate various possibilities. “We must be optimistic, but anticipatory steps must also be taken,” said Anggia. Regarding the price of non-subsidised fuel oil (BBM), Anggia reiterated that its price follows world oil prices, as stipulated in the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Decree Number 245.K/MG.01/MEM.M/2022 concerning the Basic Price Formula in Calculating the Retail Selling Price of General Types of Petrol and Diesel Fuel Distributed Through Public Fuel Filling Stations and/or Fishermen’s Fuel Filling Stations. “So, if there are fluctuations, whether up or down, the price of non-subsidised BBM will also adjust accordingly. The fuel price formula uses the average market price over the last one month,” Anggia said. Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Esmaeli Baghaei said on Monday that the negotiations between Iran and the US in Switzerland were not disrupted by US President Donald Trump’s threats against Iran. Technical talks between Iran and the US, mediated by Pakistan and Qatar, took place at the Burgenstock resort in Switzerland on Sunday. On the same day, Trump warned in a post on Truth Social that he would attack Iran again if Tehran did not force its allies in Lebanon to stop “causing problems”. Media reported that the Iranian delegation left the room because of Trump’s statement and would not return unless he apologised.