TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The United States (U.S.) has escalated the Israel-Iran conflict by attacking Tehran's nuclear facilities. This involvement sparks fears of a wider Middle East conflagration, potentially even triggering World War III."The U.S. attack on Iran is increasingly causing global uncertainty," said Muhammad Syaroni Rofii, a Middle East study analyst from the University of Indonesia (UI), when contacted by Antara in Jakarta on Sunday, June 22, 2025.He argued that Iran had initially viewed the U.S. as a mediator for nuclear affairs. However, the latest unilateral action, taken without UN consent, undermines the U.S.'s position as a global leader.Rofii assessed that the U.S. attack on Iran's nuclear facilities is likely to provoke a strong response from Tehran. "Iranian authorities have hinted at targeting U.S. military assets in the region if the country gets involved. Iran will not stay silent," he emphasized.Following the attacks by Israel and the United States, Iran's Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, immediately traveled to Moscow to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin, as reported by Mehr news agency.Araghchi is scheduled to hold discussions on Monday with Putin and other senior Russian officials to address regional and international issues stemming from the recent attacks.Earlier, in Istanbul on Saturday, the Iranian Foreign Minister announced that his visit to Moscow was part of a "strategic partnership" between Tehran and Moscow.Since the war began on June 13, 2025, a total of 430 people have died and over 3,500 Iranian civilians have been injured. In Israel, at least 25 people have been killed and more than 2,500 injured.So far, neighboring countries of Israel and Iran in the Middle East have refrained from direct involvement in the fighting. However, Indonesia, along with 22 other countries, issued a joint statement strongly condemning Israel's attacks on Iran since June 13, 2025. Initiated by Egypt, this statement signifies a robust and unprecedented regional solidarity amid the escalating Middle East conflict.This coalition of 23 countries includes Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, Egypt, Jordan, Iraq, Libya, Sudan, Somalia, Algeria, Djibouti, Comoros, Chad, Gambia, Mauritania, and Brunei Darussalam.In a statement released online on June 17, including on the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs website, they collectively rejected Israel's military aggression, which is considered a violation of international law.President Prabowo Subianto emphasized that Indonesia desires Israel and Iran to immediately de-escalate tensions and seek a peaceful solution.The President believes Indonesia's stance aligns with Russia's, a sentiment conveyed during his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Konstantinovskiy Palace, St. Petersburg, on Thursday, June 19, 2025. Nevertheless, the recent U.S. attack is feared to push several countries toward direct involvement in the war.Indonesia's Foreign Policy StanceIndonesia has long adhered to a "free and active" foreign policy, a principle enshrined in Law Number 37 of 1999 concerning Foreign Relations. This means that Indonesia's foreign policy must always prioritize national interests and safeguard the integrity and sustainability of the state.Indonesia is also an active participant in the Non-Aligned Movement, a bloc that historically avoided favoring either the Western bloc led by the U.S. or the Eastern bloc led by the Soviet Union during the Cold War.Although no specific law explicitly mandates Indonesia's non-aligned position, the principles of non-alignment, active freedom, and independence in foreign relations are embedded within Law Number 37 of 1999 and consistently implemented through various government policies and actions.Olivia Subandi contributed to the writing of this articleEditor's Choice: China and Russia React to U.S. Attack on IranClick here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News