TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto referred to the Iranian people as stubborn. Prabowo expressed his view after Iran faced the onslaught of the United States and Israel for almost six weeks since the end of February 2026.
Prabowo talked about it during a meeting with the ministries, institutions, and state-owned enterprises at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta on Wednesday, April 8, 2026. Initially, the Gerindra Party chair discussed the various criticisms against him.
One of the criticisms Prabowo heard was that he is stubborn. "Sometimes stubbornness is required in a job," said Prabowo from the podium.
Prabowo then cited the Iranian people, whom he also considered stubborn. "Now people say that the Iranian people are stubborn, the Iranian fighters are stubborn," he said.
According to Prabowo, the Iranian people are stubborn despite frequent threats. "They are threatened back and forth; they want to be finished off. (But) I don't meddle in the domestic politics of other countries," said the former defense minister.
Prabowo then said that a nation sometimes needs stubbornness. He compared it with the stance of the founding fathers of Indonesia.
"In the past, our founding fathers were stubborn, better to die than to be colonized again. Our leaders were stubborn. The red and white flag is non-negotiable. There's no such thing," said Prabowo.
Earlier, the Indonesian government welcomed the temporary ceasefire agreement between Iran and the United States, reached amid escalating tensions in recent weeks. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs views this agreement as a positive step toward encouraging a peaceful resolution.
"Regarding this ceasefire agreement, of course, the Indonesian government welcomes it," said the Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Yvonne Mewengkang in a press conference at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs office in Central Jakarta on Wednesday, April 8, 2026.
According to Yvonne, this development shows efforts from all parties to keep diplomatic channels open amid the heated situation. Indonesia views this momentum as a positive start.
As reported by Al Jazeera, U.S. President Donald Trump agreed to postpone the planned bombing of Iran for two weeks, just a few hours before the deadline for the attack on Tuesday night, April 7, 2026. The decision was announced through the Truth Social platform.
Trump mentioned that the decision was made after communication with Prime Minister of Pakistan Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir. He also set a condition for Iran to fully and safely reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
"Based on conversations with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Munir, of Pakistan, and wherein they requested that I hold off the destructive force being sent tonight to Iran, and subject to the Islamic Republic of Iran agreeing to the COMPLETE, IMMEDIATE, and SAFE OPENING of the Strait of Hormuz, I agree to suspend the bombing and attack of Iran for a period of two weeks," wrote Trump.
Shortly after the announcement, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi confirmed the initial agreement. "If attacks against Iran are halted, our Powerful Armed Forces will cease their defensive operations," he said.
He added that for two weeks, a safe passage in the Strait of Hormuz will be opened through coordination with the Iranian armed forces, taking into account technical limitations. Further discussions are scheduled to take place over the next few weeks in Islamabad to discuss the possibility of extending the agreement.
Adinda Jasmine contributed to the writing of this article
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