Jakarta, June 22 -- Senior Indonesian diplomat Hassan Wirajuda said rising Iran-United States tensions in the Middle East have created momentum for ASEAN to strengthen regional energy and food security.

"We have the potential to achieve food security and energy security, broadly defined to include electricity, and to become more self-sufficient and resilient," he said on the sidelines of the fifth anniversary of the ASEAN-China Comprehensive Strategic Partnership at the Jakarta Forum 2026 in Jakarta on Monday.

The former Indonesian foreign minister said the conflict in the Middle East has affected ASEAN, particularly through disruptions in the supply of oil, gas, and fertilizers.

Noting that disruptions in oil supplies have affected el...