SBY Sends Message to Trump and Khamenei Regarding US-Iran Conflict Escalation

Jakarta — Former President of the Republic of Indonesia Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has issued a message to the leaders of nations on the brink of conflict, specifically US President Donald Trump and Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei.

Through his Twitter account @SBYudhoyono on Friday evening (27 February 2026), SBY drew attention to ongoing negotiations between the US and Iranian governments taking place in Geneva, Switzerland.

SBY stated that the main negotiations concerning the future of Iran’s nuclear programme are highly complex and challenging to navigate in order to develop options acceptable to both parties.

“The interests of both nations are fundamentally different. Whilst negotiations are underway, two nations prepared for war are facing off in the Middle East,” wrote SBY.

According to SBY, both Trump and Khamenei possess ambition and confidence.

For this reason, SBY assessed that the ongoing Geneva negotiations represent a critical juncture.

If the negotiations yield no results whatsoever, war awaits only the press of a button by Trump and Khamenei.

Specifically, SBY cautioned Trump regarding past US military campaigns, emphasising that military victory does not equate to conquest.

He cited numerous historical examples of bitter outcomes when the United States has engaged in warfare, including in Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan.

In military theory, the United States may have achieved victory in Iraq, yet this does not mean Iraq was entirely conquered.

Moreover, Iran currently possesses superior nuclear weapon capabilities.

“Remember, Iran is Iran. Iran is neither Iraq nor Afghanistan,” wrote SBY.