October 3, 2024
JAKARTA – The Foreign Ministry is calling for all parties in the Middle East to stop escalating the region’s ongoing conflict following Iranian attacks against Israel that took place after the latter mounted a ground offensive against Hezbollah in Lebanon.
“Indonesia is worried about the potential of a larger-scale war breaking out in the region,” ministry spokesperson Rolliansyah “Roy” Soemirat said in a statement on Wednesday morning.
He added that the country was urging the United Nations Security Council to hold a meeting to discuss the latest developments in the Middle East and make a decision to lower the tensions in the region.
Iran fired 200 missiles at Israel, most of which targeted “three military bases” around Tel Aviv and other areas, Iranian state TV reported on Wednesday, as reported by AFP. The Revolutionary Guards claimed 90 percent of the missiles “hit their targets” late on Tuesday.
Israel dismissed that claim, saying it intercepted most of the 180 missiles launched at the country. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Iran had made a “big mistake” and vowed that Tehran would pay for the attack.
Iran said the missile launch was in response to Israel killing leaders of Iran-backed Hezbollah. The attack took place as Israel said it was mounting a ground offensive against the militant group in Lebanon.
Read also: World calls for restraint after Iran strikes Israel
Tuesday’s attack was the second time Iran has directly attacked Israel in the conflict. In April, the country launched a missile and drone attack in retaliation against a deadly Israeli air strike on the Iranian consulate in Damascus.
World leaders have been urging Iran and Israel to deescalate their actions following the Iranian missile attack. UN secretary-general António Guterres condemned the “broadening conflict in the Middle East”, calling for a ceasefire following “escalation after escalation” in the region.
Amid the escalating tensions, Roy said the Foreign Ministry had also been prioritizing the safety of Indonesians in Lebanon. He added that authorities were still working to evacuate more Indonesian citizens from the war-stricken area.
On Friday, the ministry said it had helped 25 Indonesian citizens leaving the country. But at least 70 Indonesians, most of whom are either students or are married to local people, had been unwilling to be evacuated from the country.
The Indonesian embassy has imposed the highest emergency alert status for all of Lebanon since August, expanding the red alert status declared for the southern part of the Middle Eastern country that was first imposed in October 2023.
The Foreign Ministry has asked people with plans to travel to Lebanon, Iran, Israel or Palestine to postpone their trips until the situation has been declared safe.