Indonesia's Ex-Deputy Minister Calls Prabowo's Iran Mediation Plan Unrealistic

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesia's Former Deputy Foreign Minister Dino Patti Djalal has deemed President Prabowo Subianto's idea of traveling to Tehran to act as a peacemaker between Iran and the United States (US) unrealistic. Prabowo's readiness was conveyed by the Foreign Ministry hours after Israel and the United States launched another attack on the Iranian capital, Tehran.

"As an independent political scientist and a former Indonesian diplomat, I wonder why this idea wasn't filtered before being announced, as it's highly unrealistic," Dino said in a video posted to his personal Instagram account @dinopattidjalal on Sunday, March 1, 2026.

He also provided at least four reasons why this is not a realistic plan. First, according to Dino, the United States rarely accepts third-party mediation when launching a military attack. "America's ego as a superpower is too high to accept that," he said.

Dino believes US President Donald Trump doesn't want Indonesia to interfere. He believes Trump is currently obsessed with overthrowing the Iranian government.

Furthermore, the former deputy foreign minister under President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono also stated that his colleagues in Washington, D.C., have suggested that the US attack on Iran is an attempt to divert attention from the Epstein Files investigation into the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

"The Epstein Files case is increasingly undermining President Donald Trump's personal reputation," Dino said.

The second reason, according to Dino, is that the Iranian government has not recently been close to the Indonesian government. Dino noted that in the past 15 months, President Prabowo has not visited Iran or met with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. "Although an invitation from Iran was recently extended to him," Dino said.

Dino said that there has never been a bilateral meeting between the two leaders in a third country, for example during the BRICS Summit or the D-8 Summit.

Furthermore, Dino highlighted that Foreign Minister Sugiono has also never made a bilateral visit to Tehran. "Although he met once with the Iranian Foreign Minister in Geneva," Dino said.

"In other words, there is no closeness or trust between the Iranian government and the Indonesian government at this time," Dino added.

Third, Dino said that even if Prabowo is ready to fly to Tehran to mediate, it is unlikely that US President Donald Trump and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio—as the parties attacking Iran—would be willing to visit Tehran. "This is unrealistic and impossible. We must be honest about this," said Dino.

The final reason is that mediation efforts would require President Prabowo to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the main party launching the attack on Iran. Dino emphasized that this is impossible, politically, diplomatically, and logistically.

Dino stated that a meeting between Prabowo and Netanyahu would be political suicide for President Prabowo domestically. "I really don't know where this amazing idea came from for President Prabowo to fly to Tehran to mediate this triangular conflict," Dino said.

President Prabowo Subianto has stated his readiness to fly to Tehran to act as a peacemaker between Iran and the United States. In a written statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Indonesia offered to facilitate dialogue between the conflicting parties.

"If both parties agree, the Indonesian President is willing to travel to Tehran to mediate," the statement read on Saturday, February 28, 2026.

Indonesia regrets the failure of the US-Iran negotiations, which has led to the re-emergence of armed conflict. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also called for all parties involved to exercise restraint and prioritize dialogue and diplomacy.

Sultan Abdurrahman contributed for this article.

Read: Four Flights at Bali Airport Affected by US Attack on Iran

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