Middle East Ablaze, Prabowo Ready to Travel to Tehran as Dialogue Facilitator
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has expressed readiness to serve as a dialogue facilitator amidst heightened tensions and military escalation in the Middle East following confirmed attacks by the United States and Israel on Iran. Prabowo has even indicated willingness to travel to Tehran.
“The Indonesian Government, through the President of the Republic of Indonesia, expresses its readiness to facilitate dialogue to restore conducive security conditions, and should both parties agree, the Indonesian President is prepared to travel to Tehran to conduct mediation,” as quoted from the Foreign Ministry’s X account on Saturday (28 February).
The Indonesian government has expressed regret over the failed negotiations between the US and Iran, which have resulted in military escalation in the Middle East region. The intensifying tensions in the Middle East pose a potential threat to regional stability and global peace and security.
Consequently, the Indonesian government has called upon all parties to exercise restraint and prioritise dialogue and diplomacy. “Indonesia reiterates the importance of respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of every nation and resolving differences through peaceful means,” the Foreign Ministry stated.
“Indonesian nationals in affected areas are urged to remain calm, remain vigilant, follow local authorities’ guidance, and maintain communication with the nearest Indonesian representative office,” it added.
Israel and the United States launched a series of combined attacks on several cities in Iran on Saturday morning local time. Israel claimed the strikes targeted presidential facilities, ministry offices, and Israeli military installations.
US President Donald Trump stated his strong support for the large-scale attack on Iran and promised to destroy Iran’s navy and missile sites.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed the strikes aimed to “eliminate an existential threat”.
Iran did not remain idle and launched a retaliatory strike. Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) reportedly launched retaliatory strikes against four US military bases in the Middle East on Saturday (28 February).
Based on reports from Iran’s state media, as cited by CNN, the IRGC confirmed a series of missile strikes targeted strategic US military points in the Gulf region. These points include Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait, Al Dhafra Air Base in the United Arab Emirates, and the headquarters of the US Fifth Fleet in Bahrain.