Actually, this is not the first message we conveyed it because we had earlier released a statement before the incident occurred. However, now we'd better send a direct message to the ambassadors, who will pass it on to their respective capital city."
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi summoned Iranian Ambassador to Indonesia Mohammad Azad and the United States Ambassador to Indonesia Joseph R. Donovan Jr. on Monday evening amid the flare-up in tensions between both conflicting nations.

While addressing the Christmas celebrations at the Foreign Ministry, Marsudi highlighted the significance of Indonesia summoning the two ambassadors to send across a peace message while stressing that the use of violence to settle their differences will be beneficial to none.

"We hope both sides would do their utmost to exercise self-restraint, so the escalation of conflict can be avoided," she reiterated.

The escalation of conflict between Iran and the United States will lead to uncertainty in the Middle East and will ultimately have a global impact. Moreover, without new conflict, the global economy has come under pressure, she remarked.

The minister highlighted Indonesia’s direct interests in creating peace in the Middle East to protect millions of Indonesian nationals who stay, live, and work in the region.

Hence, the deteriorating security situation in the Middle East will undoubtedly have an impact on the Indonesian community in the region, she pointed out.

"Actually, this is not the first message we conveyed since we had earlier released a statement before the incident occurred. However, now, we'd better send a direct message to the ambassadors, who will pass it on to their respective capital city," she added.

Tensions have surged between Iran and the United States following the killing of commander of Iran's elite Quds Force, Qasem Soleimani, in a US air strike at the Baghdad International Airport in Iraq on Friday (Jan 3, 2020).

US President Donald Trump, who had ordered the air strike, threatened to attack 52 targets in Iran if the country attacked the US people and assets as a knee-jerk reaction to the assassination of Soleimani.

While describing Soleimani’s killing as "amounting to waging war", Iran has vowed to launch retaliatory attacks. Iran will also no longer comply with restrictions set forth in the 2015 nuclear pact.

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Translator: Yashinta Difa P/Suharto
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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