President Prabowo Instructs Fuel Savings amid US-Iran Conflict
President Prabowo Subianto has requested all parties to conserve fuel to address price fluctuations and crude oil supply disruptions resulting from the war between the United States, Israel, and Iran. Global oil prices have surged due to the conflict in the Middle East.
Prabowo stated that Indonesia must take proactive measures to address the impact of the conflict. “In essence, we must implement fuel consumption savings,” Prabowo said during a cabinet meeting at the Presidential Palace in Central Jakarta on Friday, 13 March 2026.
According to Prabowo, rising fuel prices must be anticipated as they can affect food prices. He claimed that domestic food supplies remain secure. Nevertheless, Prabowo urged his subordinates not to become complacent and assume food supply security will persist regardless of circumstances.
Prabowo stated that the government is currently reviewing fuel-saving measures. He cited examples from other countries implementing fuel conservation due to the conflict, such as Pakistan. In Pakistan, the government has established work-from-home policies for civil and private sector employees, reduced government vehicle usage, and cut ministerial spending. “They consider this critical. So it is called critical measures,” he said.
Prabowo said Indonesia must also implement fuel conservation measures similar to Pakistan. However, he noted that the government is still reviewing the policies to be adopted.
“I believe we must also strive for fuel conservation,” said Prabowo.
The Gerindra Party chairman stated that the government will review potential measures within the coming days. Indonesia must prepare for the worst-case scenario if the US-Israel-Iran conflict in the Middle East continues.
“We hope the worst scenario does not occur in the Middle East, but many forecasts also suggest this could be a very prolonged war,” he said.
The conflict between the US-Israel and Iran has been ongoing since late February 2026 through mid-March. The US-Israel strikes killed Iran’s supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, and several family members.
Iran retaliated by attacking Israel and all US military facilities in the Middle East. Iran also closed the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global energy trade route that accounts for approximately one-fifth of global oil distribution.
The conflict and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz have caused global oil prices to surge. On Friday, 13 March 2026, Brent crude oil prices returned to the level of US$100 per barrel. Price increases also occurred in West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil futures contracts.
According to Trading Economics data, Brent crude oil futures contract prices on 13 March 2026 at 14.00 reached US$101 per barrel. Meanwhile, WTI crude oil prices were recorded at US$97 per barrel.
Brent crude oil prices touched a high of US$117 per barrel on 9 March. Meanwhile, prices on this day were higher compared to the highest prices the previous day, Thursday, 12 March, which was recorded at US$100 per barrel.