Former President SBY Warns 'Catastrophic' Consequences If Israel-Iran Tensions Not Squashed

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Former Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY) expressed his concerns over the growing hostilities brewing in the Middle East. SBY shared his views on the Israel-Iran war.

"If the Iran-Israel war becomes 'out of control,' the world will truly be on the brink of a catastrophe," said SBY, through an official statement released on his X account, @SBYudhoyono, on Thursday, June 19, 2025.

According to SBY, the future of world peace and security hinges on five powerful individuals. The first two are Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. The other three more powerful figures, SBY said, are U.S. President Donald Trump, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and Chinese President Xi Jinping.

History, the former president said, has documented numerous wars stemming from the ego and ambition of the power holders. For centuries, he went on, warmongers rose to power when what the people truly wanted was peace. 

SBY hoped for the five abovementioned leaders to practice clarity and wisdom before making decisions and taking actions to avoid missteps and miscalculations.

"Being rash and taking the wrong step could bring death and devastation in many nations and countries," said SBY. "A major war, let alone World War III, is still preventable. It must be prevented, there is still time and a pathway."

Israel has launched an unprecedented attack on Iran since June 13, 2025, targeting Iranian nuclear sites and high military command centers across cities. Iranian media reported that as of Wednesday, June 18, 2025, the death toll from Israeli airstrikes in Tehran and other areas had reached 585 people, with an additional 1,326 people injured.

In response to the Israeli attacks, Iran launched ballistic missiles into Tel Aviv, resulting in 24 deaths and 500 injuries.

The worst conflict between the two countries has raised concerns about the world's readiness to engage in war. The Israel-Iran war has also shaken regional stability, which has already been disrupted by the spillover effects of the genocide in Gaza.

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