Jakarta (ANTARA) – 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 electricity generation, Hassan said ASEAN countries have begun discussing ways to accelerate the development of an integrated regional power grid in Southeast Asia.Under such a system, countries with surplus electricity could supply power to neighboring countries facing shortages, he said.He added that ASEAN members could also cooperate in establishing joint electricity generation systems to ensure adequate and reliable power supplies across the region.Hassan said that as efforts to strengthen regional energy security advance, ASEAN could pursue similar collective approaches to enhance food security.”That is a lesson we have learned, because the world does not guarantee permanent stability,” he remarked.He further said that the Iran-US conflict demonstrates how the global order is becoming increasingly fragile and less effective in serving the interests of the international community.Hassan also pointed to what he described as a connection between the conflict involving Iran and the US actions against Venezuela earlier this year, noting that both countries possess substantial oil reserves.According to him, these developments underscore the growing importance of regional cooperation, particularly in strengthening energy and food security.”The solution is to advance regional cooperation, both within ASEAN and with its dialogue partners. I encourage ASEAN to further strengthen such cooperation,” Hassan said.