Harumbi Prastya Hidayahningrum, Jakarta – A former senior Indonesian diplomat has described President Prabowo Subianto's reported plan to travel to Tehran to mediate between Iran and the United States as highly unrealistic.
Dino Patti Djalal, a former deputy foreign minister and Indonesia's ex-ambassador to Washington, said the presidential office should have exercised greater caution before publicly floating the idea.
"I am surprised this proposal was not filtered before being announced, because it is very unrealistic," Dino said on Sunday, outlining several reasons for his assessment.
First, he argued that the United States has historically been reluctant to accept third-party mediation when engaged in military operations.
"America's ego as a superpower is too high to accept that," he said. Dino added that he believes President Donald Trump would be unlikely to welcome Indonesian involvement, particularly amid heightened tensions with Tehran.
Dino also linked Washington's posture toward Iran to domestic political dynamics in the US, including renewed scrutiny over Trump's past association with the late financier Jeffrey Epstein.
Second, Dino said Indonesia's bilateral relationship with Iran is not sufficiently robust to underpin a credible mediation role. During his roughly 15 months in office, Prabowo has yet to meet Iran's president in person or conduct a visit to Tehran.
Although Iran has extended invitations, no bilateral meetings have taken place, including on the sidelines of international gatherings such as the BRICS Summit, Dino noted.
He added that Foreign Minister Sugiono has not made a bilateral visit to Tehran, despite a single meeting with his Iranian counterpart in Geneva.
Third, Dino said it was almost certain that either Trump or US Secretary of State Marco Rubio would reject any proposal to travel to Tehran for negotiations.
"This is unrealistic and simply will not happen. We must be honest about this," he stressed.
Fourth, Dino argued that Prabowo would also be unlikely to meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the context of the conflict, given the domestic political sensitivities such engagement would entail in Indonesia.
Rather than seeking prominence as a peace broker, Dino said Indonesia should focus on reaffirming the principles of its long-standing foreign policy doctrine.
"We must have the courage to say what is right is right and what is wrong is wrong, whatever the risks," he said.
Source: https://jakartaglobe.id/news/exindonesian-ambassador-casts-doubt-on-prabowos-iran-peace-initiativ