Arabic version: الرئيس الإندونيسي يواجه انتقادات بسبب العلاقات مع الولايات المتحدة وصراع إيران

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto’s recent offer to mediate between the United States and Iran has sparked significant debate within Indonesia. This comes in the wake of the US-Israeli attack on Iran that began last weekend. According to Al Jazeera, the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs called for restraint and dialogue, stating that President Prabowo is willing to travel to Tehran for mediation if both parties agree.

However, this proposal has raised eyebrows, particularly as Prabowo has faced increasing scrutiny over his foreign policy and close ties with the Trump administration. Dino Patti Djalal, a former deputy foreign minister, questioned the feasibility of the mediation offer, suggesting it reflects a lack of understanding of the current geopolitical landscape. Ian Wilson, a lecturer in politics, echoed this sentiment, indicating that the proposal could be interpreted as further alignment with the US and Israel, which may alienate Indonesians who are already skeptical of Prabowo’s foreign policy.

Prabowo’s recent decision to volunteer 8,000 Indonesian troops for an International Stabilization Force in Gaza has also drawn criticism. Critics argue that Indonesia’s involvement in the US-led initiative undermines its historical stance as a principled voice for the Global South. Sarbini Abdul Murad, director of Indonesia for Peace and Humanity, described the Foreign Ministry’s response to the conflict as naive, noting the absence of condemnation for the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

The Indonesian population, predominantly Sunni Muslims, holds a complex relationship with Iran, which has a Shia majority. While there has been historical anti-Shia sentiment, many Indonesians express sympathy for Iran, driven by anti-Israel and anti-American sentiments. Public support for Iran, however, does not match the scale of support for Palestine, as protests against the Iran conflict have been largely confined to social media.

The Iranian ambassador to Indonesia has welcomed Prabowo’s mediation offer but expressed skepticism about its potential effectiveness. As Indonesia navigates its foreign policy amid these challenges, the president’s decisions are likely to face increasing scrutiny from both domestic and international observers.