How Indonesia’s new trade ties with Washington muted its voice on Iran

When the United States and Israel struck Tehran in late February, Jakarta’s response was conspicuously muted, echoing the unusually quiet corridors of diplomacy in Pejambon, typically alive with sovereignty-laden rhetoric. As “Operation Epic Fury” unfolded on February 28, 2026, unleashing precision-guided missiles and reportedly eliminating Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the world expected a forceful reaction from Indonesia, home to the largest Muslim population globally. Instead, what emerged was a tepid expression of “deep regret,” devoid of direct condemnation of Washington or Tel Aviv, and notably absent of any immediate official condolence from the presidential palace. The contrast sharpened as domestic political dynamics took center stage. Former president Megawati Soekarnoputri stepped into the vacuum left by the state’s restrained […]