The Middle East Heats Up and Its Impact on Indonesia

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres. (Wikimedia Commons/US Mission/Eric Bridiers)

The conflict between Iran and Israel has reached a critical point that threatens not only stability in the Middle East but also has a broad impact on the global economy, including Indonesia. With a strong statement from Iran's Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, who called the Israeli regime an evil entity that must be punished for attacking the Iranian embassy compound in Syria. At that time, Israeli warplanes bombed the Iranian consulate in the Syrian capital on April 1 in an attack that killed seven military advisers.

Iran's retaliatory attack on Israel which was carried out a few days ago not only worried neighboring countries in the Middle East, but also raised concerns throughout the world.

US President Joe Biden even emphasized that Iran does not have the ability to interfere with Israel with drones, but this statement cannot reduce tensions between the two countries. When Iran threatened to launch a larger retaliatory attack if Israel carried out an act of aggression, the international world became increasingly nervous about the potential escalation of the conflict.

US warships and fighter jets reportedly intercepted dozens of drones thought to be from Iran headed for Israel, showing US readiness to protect its allies amid regional tensions. The support provided by the US National Security Council to Israel also adds a new dimension to the conflict, showing that the US is ready to enforce its interests in the region.

On the other hand, the response from Israel was no less firm. The Israeli Prime Minister, Netanyahu, gave a statement emphasizing that anyone who threatens Israel will receive an appropriate response. Attacks from Hezbollah militants firing missiles from Lebanon also complicated the situation, showing that the conflict is not only limited to between Iran and Israel, but also involves other parties in the region.

The economic impact of this conflict also needs to be considered, especially for Indonesia. CNBC Indonesia reports that Indonesia has the potential to experience disruption to oil supplies and an increase in world oil prices due to Iran's attack on Israel. Disruption to trade and investment also poses a threat to Indonesia's economic stability.

Under these conditions, diplomatic efforts and peaceful resolution become increasingly important to prevent wider conflict escalation and maintain global economic stability. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned Iran's attack on Israel, stressing the importance of ceasing hostilities as the world cannot afford another war.

Moreover, the Palestinian – Israeli conflict is not over yet. Likewise Russia's conflict with Ukraine. The world is not well.