Indonesia-Saudi Arabia Discuss Middle East Escalation, Urge Restraint

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Indonesia has stepped up its diplomatic engagement amid rising tensions in the Middle East, with Foreign Minister Sugiono holding a phone call on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, with Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan to discuss the latest developments.

In a statement posted on his official X account, Minister Sugiono expressed Indonesia’s deep concern over the escalating conflict and underscored the importance of respecting sovereignty and territorial integrity in line with international law and the principles of the UN Charter.

“Indonesia continues to support de-escalation and calls on all parties to exercise maximum restraint,” he said, as quoted by Antara.

The Saudi Foreign Ministry confirmed the call, noting that both ministers exchanged views on the situation and ongoing efforts to ease tensions in the region.

The conversation followed a dramatic escalation over the weekend, when U.S. and Israeli forces launched joint airstrikes on Iran, including in Tehran, resulting in significant casualties and infrastructure damage.

Among those killed was Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Iran retaliated with waves of drone and missile attacks targeting Israel and U.S. military assets across the Gulf.

Iranian media later reported that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps had closed the Strait of Hormuz to shipping, declaring the vital oil and gas passage unsafe. The strait, linking the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, is one of the world’s most strategic maritime chokepoints.

Responding to the crisis, Indonesia reiterated its call for an immediate cessation of hostilities and expressed readiness to facilitate dialogue aimed at restoring stability.

In a separate statement on Saturday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that President Prabowo Subianto is prepared to travel to Tehran to mediate, should the warring parties agree. ***