TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - A politician from the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), Mohamad Guntur Romli, has questioned why President Prabowo Subianto has not publicly expressed condolences over the reported death of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei.
Guntur said that, as Iran’s de facto head of state and a leader of a country that maintains diplomatic ties with Indonesia, Khamenei’s death should have prompted an official expression of sympathy.
“Iran and Indonesia have diplomatic relations and cooperate at the international level. But strangely, when a friendly head of state passed away, Prabowo did not express sorrow or condolences,” Guntur wrote on his social media account on Tuesday, March 3, 2026. He granted Tempo permission to quote his statement.
From an ethical and cultural standpoint, Guntur argued, the absence of condolences raises questions, especially after Indonesia signaled its willingness to mediate the conflict following the joint US-Israel strikes on Iran on February 28.
Through the Foreign Ministry, Prabowo had offered to help facilitate dialogue and was said to be prepared to travel to Tehran if both parties agreed.
“It is a gesture that can be praised as concern for peace. But how can one be willing to mediate and go to Tehran, yet not convey condolences?” Guntur said.
He suggested that political considerations may have influenced the decision, pointing to the involvement of US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the attack that reportedly killed Khamenei.
“But is it only because of political alignments and conflicts that humanitarian conscience is set aside to the point of not offering condolences?” he added.
Guntur emphasized that Indonesia adheres to its long-standing “independent and active” foreign policy doctrine. Indonesia maintains diplomatic relations with both the United States and Iran and is not directly involved in the conflict, he said, arguing that Jakarta should be able to maintain neutrality while expressing sympathy.
“What is preventing President Prabowo from conveying condolences over the passing of Iran’s head of state?” he asked.
The United States and Israel launched coordinated strikes on Iran on February 28, 2026. Iranian state news agency Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) reported that Khamenei was killed in the attack, along with several family members and senior Iranian figures.
Indonesia has so far reiterated its readiness to help mediate. In a written statement issued the same day, the Foreign Ministry said Indonesia had offered to facilitate dialogue between the conflicting parties.
“If approved by both sides, the Indonesian President is willing to travel to Tehran to mediate,” the ministry said.
State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi and Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya had not responded to Tempo’s requests for comment on Guntur’s criticism at the time of publication.
Adinda Jasmine contributed to the writing of this article.
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