PSI on Jokowi's Meeting with Iranian Ambassador: A Sign of International Recognition

Jakarta - The daily chairman of the Indonesian Solidarity Party (PSI), Ahmad Ali, considers the visit by Iran’s Ambassador Boroujerdi to Indonesia’s seventh President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) as proof of international recognition of Jokowi’s contributions in the geopolitical arena.

“He has very good relations with Islamic countries, and that is, in my view, a form of recognition. Yes, recognition that when he was President, he was acknowledged internationally,” said Ali when contacted by Kompas.com on Wednesday (1/4/2026).

Ali stated that his party understands Iran’s limited support from Islamic countries amid the Middle East war, leading it to seek political backing from Jokowi.

“We know Mr Jokowi as one of the two-term Presidents who has maintained his relationships well, and one of the Presidents highly respected in the Islamic world, in Muslim countries,” Ali remarked.

“I am sure his visit there is to listen to input and also to seek political support. He wants to hear views or at least see that Mr Jokowi still represents the Indonesian people,” he added.

According to Ali, relations between Indonesia and Iran have long been well-maintained.

Therefore, Ali believes the Iranian Ambassador’s visit to Jokowi’s home is for maintaining ties while seeking the necessary political support.

Ali conveyed that Jokowi would certainly not enter into the tactical realm pursued by Iran, such as the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

“But on the other hand, Mr Jokowi truly respects the stance of the Iranian government. He is very firm in limiting himself, so Mr Jokowi only talks about the importance of a global peace campaign. A world without war and so on. But on the other hand, he does not get involved in Iran’s policies. Say, the closure of Hormuz,” Ali explained.

This is because Jokowi does not have a mandate from Indonesia to conduct diplomacy with Iran.

“Because if he speaks asking for it to be opened (Hormuz), and then Iran suddenly says ‘do you know, why don’t you tell America to stop bombing us?’,” he clarified.

For this reason, Ali sees Jokowi as having the ability to limit himself.

He also suggested that the government utilise Jokowi in communicating internationally for diplomatic matters.

Jokowi revealed that he conveyed many things during his meeting with the Iranian Ambassador to Indonesia, Mohammad Boroujerdi, in Solo.