The Strait of Hormuz Blockade: A Threat to Indonesia and Its Defense Strategy

The escalation of the conflict between Iran and the US-Israeli coalition has caused a multidimensional crisis that has a significant impact on Indonesia, requiring it to develop a maritime defense strategy that is in line with international law and ensures national resilience.

This event not only fundamentally changed the security landscape of the Middle East but also triggered a global political realignment whose impacts are still felt today. Further, as the world’s largest archipelagic nation, situated between two oceans, Indonesia is currently facing the direct and indirect impacts of this crisis. This article discusses the implications of the Hormuz conflict on Indonesia’s national resilience and formulates an appropriate defence strategy in the Indonesian Archipelagic Sea Lanes (ALKI), while adhering to the international legal framework.

The Impact of the Strait of Hormuz Blockade on Indonesia

The Gulf conflict put significant pressure on the Indonesian economy through soaring oil, gas, and fertilizer prices. In April 2026, oil prices surpassed US$120 per barrel, triggering a surge in energy subsidies to more than 210 trillion rupiah beyond initial projections. Logistics costs rose by approximately 30%, disrupting supply chains and driving inflationary pressures. The projected budget deficit of 2.7% of GDP, assuming oil at US$70 per barrel, now faces the risk of ballooning significantly, potentially exceeding the 3% safety threshold.

Indonesia’s bilateral relations with Iran reached a low point when the Iranian government detained two Indonesian oil tankers, the VLCC Pertamina Pride and the PIS Gamsunoro, in the Strait of Hormuz. While neighbouring countries in Southeast Asia, like Malaysia and Thailand, received priority permits, Indonesia’s maritime........

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