Jakarta. Former Vice President Jusuf Kalla doubts President Prabowo Subianto’s “well-intended” plan to fly to Tehran as a “mediator” in the Iran-Israel war.

A US-Israel joint attack on Tehran has been taking the global news cycle. The attack quickly morphed into a regional conflict after Iran targeted Arab nations that host US military bases.

Indonesia recently revealed that Prabowo was willing to travel to Tehran for in-person mediation if agreed by the conflicting parties. Jusuf Kalla, famously known as JK, admitted that Prabowo had meant well to float the plan. Still, the recently struck US trade deal had shown that Indonesia might struggle to convince other countries.

“It’s unfortunate how Indonesia made a one-sided deal that is very detrimental to our country. That shows how the US and Indonesia are not equal. How can we convince people who are not equal to us to make peace?” JK told reporters in Jakarta over the weekend, as quoted by the state news agency Antara.

“Well, [Indonesia] has good intentions with the plan, but this is an even bigger problem. It is tough to have Israel and Palestine make peace because this world hinges on the US’ stance.”

The Foreign Ministry had unveiled the Tehran plans in an announcement issued not long after the attack.

“The Indonesian government, particularly the president, expresses his readiness to facilitate dialogue to re-establish a conducive security condition,” the statement reads.

“If agreed by both parties, the Indonesian president is willing to travel to Tehran to conduct mediation."

On the unfair US trade deal that JK spoke of, provisions in the 45-page document have caught flak from analysts. Indonesia is willing to eliminate tariffs for US goods, but the deal puts Jakarta’s products subject to a 19% tariffs, although the rate will possibly drop to 15% following a recent US Supreme Court ruling.  Some controversial clauses include urging Indonesia to mirror import restrictions that the US imposes against a “third country” — a move widely seen to be targeted at China.

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