Prabowo: Indonesia Must Be Ready to Face the Impacts of the Middle East Conflict
President Prabowo Subianto has said that Indonesia must be ready to face a range of possibilities arising from the rising escalation of the Middle East conflict involving Iran and the United States. He delivered the message during a discussion and national solidarity gathering at Istana Merdeka, Jakarta, on Tuesday evening, which was attended by former presidents and vice-presidents, former foreign ministers, and leaders of political parties.
Foreign Minister Sugiono stated that President Prabowo stressed the importance of national preparedness in the face of evolving global geopolitical dynamics. ‘Whatever happens, we must be ready to face all possibilities,’ Sugiono said after the meeting at the Presidential Palace complex in Jakarta.
In an effort to ease tensions, Sugiono disclosed that he had communicated with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, expressing Indonesia’s concern over the failure of negotiations that has triggered escalation in the region. The government reaffirmed the importance of respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of every state and urged all parties to return to the negotiating table. Sugiono also conveyed the President’s desire for Indonesia to play a mediating role to help cool the conflict. ‘We reiterate the President’s wish for Indonesia to be a mediator in cooling and reducing the escalation in the region,’ Sugiono said.
Amid rising tensions, the government has taken anticipatory steps to protect Indonesian citizens in affected areas. He said he has instructed the Indonesian Ambassador to Tehran to prepare evacuation processes should any Indonesian citizens wish to be repatriated. However, Sugiono stressed that not all Indonesians in the region have requested evacuation, so the repatriation will be carried out gradually in accordance with citizens’ requests.
Sugiono added that President Prabowo Subianto stands ready to assume a mediating role if Iran and the United States wish to open space for mediation. The United States Embassy in Riyadh was reportedly targeted by a drone attack on Tuesday, as announced by the Saudi Ministry of Defence.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), Iran’s elite military unit, said it would intensify its resistance following the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Migrant Care expressed deep concern about the escalation of the Middle East conflict and the potential humanitarian crisis. The report also notes that the United States could draw on past operations to influence diplomacy in the region, while Indonesia regards South Africa as a strategic partner and a prospective global economic power.