Prabowo Warns of Nuclear War Risk from Middle East Conflict
He said fears Iran has nuclear weapons could spur Arab Saudi, UEA, Qatar and Mesir to seek similar capabilities.
President Prabowo Subianto warned of the danger of nuclear war amid escalating global conflicts, especially in the Middle East. Speaking before Kadin at Istana Negara in Jakarta on Friday, 31 July 2026, Prabowo said the risk cannot be dismissed, whether in the Russia-Ukraine war or tensions in Gaza, Lebanon, Iran and the Strait of Hormuz. A day earlier in Batang, Jawa Tengah, he also urged Indonesia to be mentally prepared for the possibility that war in the Middle East could widen and worsen. In his Jakarta speech, Prabowo said the allegation that Iran already has nuclear weapons could trigger an arms race in the region. He said Arab Saudi, UEA, Qatar and Mesir could seek similar capabilities.