TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - As one of the parties likely to be affected by the US-Israel war on Iran, the Indonesian government must take a firm stance, said Dina Yulianti Sulaeman, a Middle East geopolitical expert from Padjadjaran University (Unpad).
Indonesia must "demand the US and Israel halt their attacks on Iran" since it violates the UN Charter and "condemns and denounces this illegal attack," she told Tempo on Monday, March 2, 2026.
Indonesia is expected to see fuel price hikes due to the war, which will subsequently affect other commodity prices and pressure the state budget.
Indonesian migrant workers in the Middle East have also been contributing with remittances, and war in the region could force them to return to Indonesia or stop working.
The Indonesian government must take a firm stance, she said, rather than hoping to assume the role of a peacekeeper.
"The mediators, in theory, must have the power to pressure the warring parties, which we do not have. Instead, we are inferior in that aspect," said the international relations lecturer from the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences at Unpad.
Indonesia could also gain momentum from the recent conflict to withdraw from the Board of Peace and the trade pact with the US, justifying it as Washington, who initiated the peace board, has violated the law.
"So, why join the Board of Peace, which clearly is not a credible institution? We have a moral basis to cancel the trade agreement because of the many losses to Indonesia," she said.
The conflict between the US and Iran dates back to 1979, when the Iranian Revolution overthrew King Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, according to Dina.
The establishment of the Islamic Republic of Iran damaged the interests of the United States, which had previously been an ally of the Iranian regime.
Since then, America has always attempted to overthrow the government in Iran, by various means, such as economic sanctions, funding terrorist groups, and using democracy as a scapegoat.
"But only in Trump's regime does the United States openly wage war with Iran," she said.
Since becoming an Islamic Republic, the Iranian government has declared its support for Palestinian independence. Iran has also developed missiles capable of attacking Israel.
Iran's military power, according to Dina, worries Israel. "For Iran, this is also an existential problem in which not fighting could mean destruction," Dina said.
The war is likely to resume, Dina believed, as the UK has already become involved by granting permission to Washington to use its military base in the Middle East. "This will escalate even further," Dina said.
Meanwhile, the surrounding Arab countries are likely to back the US despite the increasingly unsafe situations in their countries, with airports and businesses closed. As for Iran, which has been preparing for war for a long time, its main goal is to overthrow the Zionist regime.
Read: Iran War Unjustifiable Under International Law, Says PKB Politician
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
Indonesia Readies Evacuation Scenarios for Migrant Workers in Middle East
3 menit lalu
Indonesian migrant workers are urged to stay away from conflict areas, military bases, and potentially vulnerable locations.
BMKG: 3 Cyclone Seeds Trigger Extreme Weather Risks in Indonesia
37 menit lalu
With the active presence of the three cyclone seeds, BMKG urges the public to be wary of extreme weather potential.
Indonesia Says 1,000-Ton Rice Imports from U.S. Limited to Specialty Varieties
3 jam lalu
Indonesia is planning to import specialty rice from the U.S. as part of its obligation under the reciprocal trade agreement.
Indonesia's Fuel Reserves Safe for 20 Days, Says Minister Amid Iran Conflict
4 jam lalu
Energy Minister Bahlil confirms Indonesia's oil reserves are sufficient for 20 days following Iran's closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran Asserts Government Remains Stable After Khamenei's Death
6 jam lalu
Iran's ambassador stressed that the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in a US-Israeli attack did not shake the government.
Indonesia Denies Aircraft Carrier Grant Linked to Arms Buy
7 jam lalu
Indonesia's Defense Ministry has dismissed rumors of a purchase contract related to the grant of the Giuseppe Garibaldi aircraft carrier from Italy.
Early Phase of Total Lunar Eclipse Visible in West Java
8 jam lalu
Not all phases of the total lunar eclipse on March 3, 2026, will be observable in Indonesia.
Top Airports in Indonesia for Passenger Service
10 jam lalu
Airports Council International World (ACI World) released its 2025 ASQ Customer Experience Awards on February 24, 2026
Iran War Risks Widening Indonesia State Budget Deficit, Indef Warns
20 jam lalu
Indonesia assumes crude oil prices in 2026 to be US$70 per barrel. Now, war in Iran risks the surge of oil prices due to disrupted Strait of Hormuz.
Indonesia Diversifies Oil Sources as Strait of Hormuz Disrupted
20 jam lalu
The US and Israeli war on Iran have disrupted the global oil supply chain, prompting the Indonesian government to prepare mitigations.
