Indonesian President Plans Visit to Iran to Ease Middle East Tensions

Prabowo Subianto expressed his intention to visit Tehran in an effort to help reduce escalating tensions in the Middle East.

According to Indonesian officials, the president made the remarks during a meeting with Muslim scholars and religious leaders at the presidential palace in Jakarta. 

The discussions focused on the ongoing security situation in the region following recent military developments involving Iran.

During the meeting, Subianto revealed that he had held a phone call with Shehbaz Sharif to discuss the regional situation and the consequences of recent U.S. and Israeli strikes against Iran. 

Sharif reportedly expressed interest in joining the Indonesian president on a potential visit to Tehran to encourage restraint and dialogue.

Officials clarified that the purpose of the proposed trip is not to influence Iran’s response to the killing of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, but rather to help prevent further escalation and promote stability in the region.

Indonesian figures involved in the discussions noted that Indonesia and Pakistan, as two of the largest non-Arab Muslim-majority nations, could play a constructive role in supporting peace and stability in the Gulf region.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Indonesia announced that it has begun evacuating Indonesian citizens from Iran amid the rising tensions. The evacuation process will be carried out gradually via Azerbaijan.

Officials said approximately 329 Indonesian citizens are currently in Iran, most of them students studying in the city of Qom. The first group of 32 evacuees is expected to arrive back in Jakarta early next week.

The ministry added that there are currently no plans to evacuate Indonesian citizens from other Middle Eastern countries, where nearly half a million Indonesians are living and working.