Indonesian Diplomat Projects Positive Outlook for US-Iran Dialogue Despite Turmoil

Former Indonesian Foreign Minister Hassan Wirajuda, who served from 2001 to 2009, assessed that peace negotiations between Iran and the United States still hold a positive projection despite the dynamics and turmoil accompanying the dialogue. “In my view, these matters can still be overcome,” Hassan said in response to the dynamics throughout the Iran-US negotiations, on the sidelines of the Jakarta Forum 2026 commemorating five years of the ASEAN-China comprehensive strategic partnership in Jakarta on Monday. Hassan explained that the memorandum signed by US and Iranian leaders on 18 June remains an initial agreement serving as the basis for negotiating a final peace deal over the next 60 days. The negotiations taking place in Switzerland to date, he said, may not be smooth due to the influence and entanglement of parties outside the agreement, namely Israel and Hezbollah, in the conditions for the deal’s durability. If Israel does not stop attacking Hezbollah in Beirut and southern Lebanon, Iran will consider this a violation of the memorandum, which requires Iran, the US, and their allies to participate in a ceasefire, Hassan stated. Regarding the threats once again issued by US President Donald Trump against Iran amid the ongoing negotiations, Hassan sees these as still manageable, given that other parties in the US continue to demonstrate commitment to the talks. Hassan projected that such dynamics could recur throughout the negotiation process between Washington and Tehran. Previously, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the talks with the US in Switzerland showed significant progress in efforts to end the conflict in Lebanon and reduce pressure on Iran’s economy. “Restrictions on oil and petrochemical exports are lifted, the blockade is ended, some frozen assets are released, and a major reconstruction and development programme is launched for Iran,” Araghchi said on social media platform X. The statement was made after Qatar and Pakistan announced important progress in diplomatic efforts between the US and Iran. In a joint statement, the two mediating countries said the parties agreed to establish a joint coordination mechanism involving Lebanon to ensure compliance with the cessation of military operations in Lebanon, in accordance with the US-Iran memorandum.