Analyst: US-Israel Strikes on Iran Prove Indonesia Must Exit Board of Peace

Jakarta, MINA – Middle East analyst Faisal Assegaf has asserted that the joint military strikes by the United States and Israel against Iran serve as a definitive signal for Indonesia to withdraw from the Board of Peace (BoP). Assegaf argues that the military action constitutes a violation of international law and significantly destabilizes Middle Eastern geopolitics.

Assegaf further suggested that President Prabowo Subianto’s plan to act as a facilitator for dialogue between Iran and the United States will likely fail to yield significant results, given the increasing complexity of the conflict.

He pointed out the inherent contradiction within the BoP, noting that two of its members, the United States, the forum’s founder, and Israel, which has been cited by the International Criminal Court for genocide in Palestine are currently launching attacks on a sovereign nation.

“Therefore, Prabowo acting as a facilitator will have no impact because the conflict has become far too complex. What Prabowo should be doing right now is condemning the attack and immediately withdrawing from the Board of Peace,” Assegaf told MINA when contacted on Sunday.

The geopolitical landscape of the Middle East is expected to shift dramatically following the death of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

“Iran is currently in a state of mourning and fury, so this war will be a long one. Iran will certainly prepare a retaliation to maintain the morale of both the people and the state,” Assegaf noted.

According to Assegaf, the Iranian public is currently divided in their response to Ali Khamenei’s death. Consequently, he emphasized that the Iranian government must immediately determine a new direction for national leadership.

“Some are celebrating, while others are in mourning, as not all citizens favored their leader. However, looking at the scale of the protests, those opposing Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s regime are only a small fraction around ten thousand or so. Meanwhile, the counter-demonstrations in support of the Ayatollah have reached three million,” he said.

“Nevertheless, it is a vital task for the Iranian government to decide [on a successor] within 24 hours, as this is an emergency situation necessary for national unity,” he added.

Regarding the impact on Palestine, Faisal assessed that Khamenei’s leadership represented the regime most committed to supporting the Palestinian struggle at a regional geopolitical level.

“I hope this regime continues. If it is replaced by a more moderate administration that is not hostile toward the Zionists and America, it will only further prove that Palestine is a ‘phantom state’,” he stated.

The Supreme Leader’s death occurred during strikes on Iran initiated by US and Israeli forces. The IRNA news agency reported that Khamenei was killed in his office while performing his official duties on Saturday morning. While specific details regarding the assassination remain undisclosed, the Iranian government has declared 40 days of national mourning.[]

Mi’raj News Agency (MINA)