Indonesia's Exports to Iran Reach Rp 4.2 Trillion Despite War Looming Over the Middle East

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - Trade Minister Budi Santoso, alias Busan, stated that the value of Indonesia’s exports and imports with Iran throughout 2025 reached US$257.9 million, equivalent to Rp 4.3 trillion.

Of that amount, Indonesia’s exports to Iran amounted to US$249.1 million or Rp 4.2 trillion.

“Our total exports (imports) are around US$250 million to Iran,” Busan said when met at the Ministry of Trade office in Jakarta on Friday (27/3/2026).

That volume is far lower than Indonesia’s exports to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), which reached 40 per cent or Rp 52 trillion, and to Saudi Arabia at 29 per cent or Rp 48.8 trillion.

“Indonesia’s exports to the Middle East in 2025 were US$9.87 billion, or a market share of 3.49 per cent of our total exports to the world,” Busan explained.

Busan noted that the high export volume to the UAE is due to Indonesia having signed the Indonesia–United Arab Emirates Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IUAE-CEPA).

“Because we already have the CEPA with the UAE,” he said.

Meanwhile, Indonesia’s exports to Iran only involve non-oil and gas (non-migas) commodities. Indonesia does not export any oil and gas products to that major oil-producing country.

Referring to the Single Data of the Ministry of Trade, Indonesia’s leading export commodities to Iran include fruits worth Rp 1.4 trillion. Then, vehicles and their components at Rp 576.9 billion, as well as animal and vegetable fats and oils at Rp 373.3 billion.

The leading non-oil and gas export commodities from Indonesia to Saudi Arabia include vehicles and components worth Rp 12.5 trillion, as well as animal and vegetable fats and oils at Rp 10.8 trillion.

Busan said that the war between Israel and the US against Iran, involving Gulf states, is impacting rising logistics costs.

Restrictions on traffic in the Strait of Hormuz are triggering an increase in fuel oil prices, thus raising transportation costs.