Indonesia has offered to mediate in the ongoing tensions involving Iran, Israel and the United States, while also announcing support from Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates for efforts aimed at easing the crisis.
According to a report by Bloomberg, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto is seeking to play a diplomatic role in reducing tensions in the Middle East.
The report noted that Muslim-majority countries are largely in agreement on the need to prevent the conflict in the Middle East from expanding into a wider war. However, Indonesia’s government policy regarding the Iran crisis has drawn criticism at home.
President Prabowo Subianto has faced domestic criticism over the government’s stance on the Iran crisis. Critics say Indonesia was late to offer condolences over the reported martyrdom of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. A major religious organization in the country has also called on the government to review its policy on the issue.
Following the pressure, President Prabowo Subianto warned that Indonesia could withdraw from a peace board established by former US president Donald Trump if it fails to benefit the Palestinians.
According to Indonesian state media, the president made the remarks during a meeting with more than 160 religious scholars. The deputy head of the Indonesian Ulema Council said the president emphasised that Indonesia joined the peace board to advance the interests of Palestine.
He added that if the peace initiative deviates from the goal of supporting an independent Palestinian state, Indonesia would be prepared to withdraw from it.
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