Jusuf Kalla: Logically, We Must Take Iran's Side.

Jakarta, Kompas.com — Jusuf Kalla, Indonesia’s 10th and 12th vice president, said that Indonesia should side with Iran as a country attacked by the United States and Israel.

According to Kalla, as the country with the world’s largest Muslim population, Indonesia should not be neutral without showing allegiance to the victims of the attack.

“There must be that allegiance. How can we side with Israel, or with the United States that is attacking? Logically we should side with Iran,” Kalla said in a video statement received by Kompas.com on Saturday, 7 March 2026.

According to Kalla, Indonesia must have a stance towards the country that is suffering.

“Indonesia must speak out. We must have allegiance to the attacked, the oppressed country. We must take a position,” he said.

He argued that if Indonesia does not have a clear stance in international conflicts, it could affect diplomatic relations with countries in Asia and the Muslim world.

According to Jusuf Kalla, international conflicts should be resolved through international forums to seek peaceful solutions.

He said the international institutions responsible for maintaining peace should be maximised to prevent conflicts from spreading further.

“If it cannot be resolved through peace forums, what is the point of us being a part of it? That means Indonesia must voice a firm stance,” Kalla said.