Prabowo Discusses Iran–US–Israel Conflict as He Convenes Former Presidents, Vice Presidents and the Indonesian Foreign Minister

JAKARTA — President Prabowo Subianto discussed the escalating conflict in the Middle East between Iran and Israel and the United States (US) during a gathering of former presidents, vice presidents and the foreign minister of the Republic of Indonesia at Merdeka Palace in Central Jakarta on Tuesday, 3 March 2026. This was disclosed by former Foreign Minister Hassan Wirajuda after the meeting. He said the discussion also highlighted the waning effectiveness of the global order. “The implications for us and for the world were discussed,” he added. Prabowo also described the challenges facing Indonesia amid the swirl of global conflict in the forum. Hassan added that the discussion covered not only security and world peace aspects but also the potential broad economic impacts. The former foreign ministers from the Megawati Soekarnoputri and Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono administrations also cited the latest dynamics regarding the potential escalation of the conflict. The President, he said, regards it as important to open space for communication and exchange of ideas with national figures. “The President considers it important to communicate the problems faced by the government, faced by the President, to us who were asked to come this evening. The President is very open to the suggestions and ideas put forward by the participants,” Hassan said. The meeting also discussed Indonesia’s position as a member of the Board of Peace in light of the escalation in the Middle East. “We discussed, but also in the context of the latest developments, whether the war raging in Iran could weaken—potentially weaken—our BoP position and mandate, and we will reassess from that angle,” he said. Also in attendance were former foreign ministers, the heads of coalition parties, the chair of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry Anindya Bakrie, the chair of the Indonesian Entrepreneurs Association Shinta Widjaja Kamdani, the chair of the Board of Indonesian Young Entrepreneurs Akbar Himawan Buchari, and several ministers from the Red-White Cabinet.