Kuwait city: Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono spoke by phone Wednesday with his Saudi and Emirati counterparts, stressing respect for the sovereignty of the Gulf nations amid escalating tensions in the Middle East. Sugiono, who goes by only one name, spoke with Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan, expressing concern over the joint military campaign by the US and Israel against Iran.
According to Anadolu Agency, Sugiono emphasized the importance of upholding sovereignty and territorial integrity in line with international law and the UN Charter. He expressed Indonesia's continued support for de-escalation and urged all parties to exercise maximum restraint. In his conversation with United Arab Emirates Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Sugiono exchanged views on current developments in the Middle East, including the UAE's perspective on the Iranian strikes on its territory.
Sugiono conveyed Indonesia's sympathy for the human loss and reaffirmed the country's principled stance on respecting sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as upholding international law and the principles of the UN Charter. Indonesia remains supportive of efforts toward de-escalation, he added.
Tensions have intensified in the Middle East following US and Israeli airstrikes on Iran beginning Feb. 28, resulting in over 900 casualties, including Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and more than 165 elementary schoolgirls, according to Iranian authorities. Iran has retaliated with drone and missile attacks targeting US-linked sites in Gulf countries, causing multiple fatalities, including six US service members.
Separately, Sugiono announced that discussions on the Gaza Board of Peace established by US President Donald Trump are on hold due to the ongoing Middle East conflict. He mentioned that there has been no further dialogue between the Peace Council and member states, as reported by the local news outlet Kompas.
Sugiono also confirmed that Indonesia continues to consult with Board of Peace member countries in the Gulf, which have also been attacked, and affirmed Indonesia's ongoing membership in the Board. Additionally, Indonesia has pledged 8,000 troops for deployment in Gaza as part of a proposed multinational peacekeeping force.