Unrealistic Indonesia as Mediator of the United States - Israel Conflict against Iran

JAKARTA - President Prabowo Subianto's intention to mediate the conflict between the United States-Israel and Iran has raised big questions. Former Deputy Foreign Minister Dino Patti Djalal even assessed that Indonesia's initiative to mediate the Iran-US-Israel conflict was very unrealistic.

"The Government of Indonesia, in this case the President of the Republic of Indonesia, expresses its readiness to facilitate dialogue for the creation of a conducive security condition and if both parties agree, the President of Indonesia is willing to depart for Tehran to mediate," wrote the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the X account @Kemlu_RI, Saturday (28/2/2026).

The statement was issued amid a massive US-Israeli attack on Iran last weekend. Shortly after the US and Israel launched the so-called Operation Epic Fury, Iran immediately retaliated by firing ballistic missiles and drones at US assets and allies throughout the region, targeting Israel, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Jordan.

The situation heated up after Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Khamenei died in a US and Israeli attack.

According to a number of sources, Indonesia has played an active role as a mediator of conflicts and has managed to resolve international conflicts. Indonesia has been a mediator of the Philippine peace agreement with the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) armed forces, since 1993, which later led to the signing of a peace agreement on September 2, 1996 in Manila, Philippines.

Indonesia was also involved in the settlement of the Vietnam-Cambodia conflict in 1988-1989. One form of mediation was by holding the Jakarta Informal Meeting (JIM) which was held three times. There are three things that were agreed upon in JIM, including the two warring countries, Cambodia and Vietnam agreed to a ceasefire.

The Foreign Ministry's statement received a positive response from the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran. They also welcomed President Prabowo's readiness to take a role in mediating the conflict in the Middle East.

"Appreciation for the consistent support of the Indonesian government and people and welcome the readiness of the President of the Republic of Indonesia to mediate in this conflict," the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran wrote in a press release.

Iran also stressed the importance of a firm stance by Indonesian officials in condemning the aggression and crimes of the United States and Israel.

In its statement, Iran accused the US and Israel of launching attacks on civilian locations in Iran, including schools, while residents were fasting during Ramadan.

However, the idea of Indonesia becoming a mediator in this conflict is questioned by many parties, including former Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Dino Patti Djalal. He said this initiative was very unrealistic. He mentioned a number of challenges that Indonesia might face in approaching the three countries that are involved in the war.

First, about the US itself. According to Dino, the US is rarely willing to be mediated by a third party to carry out a military attack against its enemies. The US is also considered unlikely to be willing to send its representatives, such as Trump or US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, to visit Tehran.

"I believe President Trump does not want Indonesia to interfere because his mood is blind to overthrow Iran," said the former Indonesian Ambassador to the US in his @dinopattidjalal account on Instagram, Sunday (1/3/2026).

Not to mention the possibility that President Prabowo has to meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in an attempt at mediation. This, according to Dino, is like "political suicide" for the president at home.

"This (meeting between Prabowo and Netanyahu), politically, diplomatically, and logistically, is impossible. And this will be a political suicide for President Prabowo in the country," said Dino.

Another challenge that was also highlighted was the issue of Indonesia's diplomatic relations with Iran which were not too close. According to his assessment, during the 15 months of leadership, President Prabowo's interaction with Iranian authorities was almost non-existent.

Prabowo has never visited Iran. In a number of multilateral forums such as the Summit and the D-8 Summit 2025, there has never been a bilateral meeting between the two leaders.

"Minister of Foreign Affairs (Minister of Foreign Affairs) Sugiono has also never made a bilateral visit to Tehran even though he has met once with the Iranian Minister of Foreign Affairs in Geneva (Switzerland). In other words, there has not been any closeness or trust from the Iranian government to the Indonesian government at this time," said Dino on his social media account.

Instead of seeking a role as a mediator, according to Dino, what is important for Indonesia today is to assert a position clearly, firmly, and straightforwardly. Indonesia must dare to declare the truth or error, whatever the risks.

The US-Israeli attack on Iran is contrary to the principles conveyed by President Prabowo in his speech at the 2025 United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).

Dino also reminded, Indonesia certainly does not want to be recorded as a country that does not dare to criticize any steps taken by a superpower. History also records that Indonesia is a country that has never hesitated to differ with the US if the US's attitude is considered contrary to the principle of peace.

For example, in the case of the US attack on Iraq, regarding the UN convention on the law of the sea, as well as regarding China's membership in the UN.

"If this happens (not criticizing the US-Israeli attack on Iran), it means that our foreign policy is no longer a free and active policy," said Dino.