Yayasan Pendidikan Indonesia Blog

Harmony between the Gulf and Iran: Lessons in Peace for a More Stable Region

By

Yayasan Pendidikan Indonesia

Special Consultative Status with ECOSOC, United Nations (since 2013)

Introduction

For a Generation that Aspires to Enduring Peace

Following the armed conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran that shook the Middle East in 2025–2026, the Persian Gulf region now stands at a historic crossroads. While missiles and drones have fallen silent and vessels have resumed passage through the Strait of Hormuz, the economic wounds and security trauma remain deeply felt. In this fragile environment, encouraging signals of hope have emerged and deserve wise and measured engagement: Arab Gulf states have begun reopening channels of dialogue with Iran, including with elements previously viewed as challenging.

One of the most notable developments is the United Arab Emirates’ (UAE) initiative. Despite its strong support for Israel and having been a target of retaliatory Iranian actions, the UAE has established direct dialogue channels—previously unprecedented—including with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The focus remains pragmatic and constructive: economic cooperation, shared incentives, tourism, transportation, and energy. Recent remarks by U.S. Vice President JD Vance merely reflect developments already underway on the ground.

Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia—the most influential nation in the Gulf—has adopted an increasingly pragmatic stance. Having pursued détente with Iran prior to the conflict and supported pressure on Tehran during it, Riyadh is now re-emphasizing de-escalation, mediation, and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz to foster regional stability. Oman and Qatar, long regarded as diplomatic bridges, continue to play active facilitating roles.

Why Harmonization Must Be Pursued with Sincerity and Without Suspicion

For Yayasan Pendidikan Indonesia, the central lesson of this crisis is that lasting peace can only be built on genuine trust, rather than temporary political calculations.

Relations between the Arab Gulf states and Iran are not a zero-sum competition. Both sides share profound common interests: energy security, the smooth flow of international trade, oil price stability, and the prevention of cross-border radicalization. Yet deep-seated suspicions—rooted in historical legacies, sectarian differences, and competition for influence—have too often obstructed this cooperative potential.

In particular, harmonization between Saudi Arabia and Iran should be a top priority. As two leading regional powers, full normalization between Riyadh and Tehran could serve as a genuine game-changer for the entire Middle East. This goes beyond formal agreements on paper and should encompass:

•  Authentic cultural and religious dialogue to reduce sectarian tensions

•  Mutually beneficial economic cooperation, including integration of energy supply chains

•  Collective security mechanisms that eliminate mutual fears of attack

•  Expanded exchanges of students, academics, and youth to nurture a new generation unbound by past narratives

When pursued with sincerity, free from hidden agendas or excessive suspicion, such harmonization will not only help heal post-conflict wounds but also usher in a new era of shared prosperity for hundreds of millions across the region.

A Message for Indonesia

As the world’s largest Muslim-majority nation, guided by an independent and active foreign policy rooted in peace, Indonesia holds a significant moral voice in supporting genuine reconciliation efforts in the Middle East. There is much we can learn: how smart economic strength and diplomacy can transform potential adversaries into constructive partners.

Yayasan Pendidikan Indonesia calls upon all stakeholders—government, academics, civil society organizations, and youth—to continue promoting a narrative of peace. Stability in the Gulf is not merely an “Arab” or “Persian” concern; it is a shared interest of humanity in the 21st century.

Let us support sincere harmonization efforts.

Not out of naivety, but from the conviction that trust, patiently built, will prove far stronger than even the highest walls of suspicion.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​