Two former Papua New Guinea Defence Force commanders have called on the government to declare neutrality as the escalating conflict between the United States, Israel and Iran threatens to reshape global security and economic conditions.
In a joint statement issued this week, Major General Jerry Singirok and Commodore Peter Ilau warned that the unfolding Middle East war could have direct strategic implications for Papua New Guinea.
Speaking on behalf of the Papua New Guinea Flag Officers League and the Papua Islands Regiment Veterans League, the two former commanders said the country must ensure it is not drawn into a conflict driven by major powers.
“We speak not as political actors, but as strategic planners and servants of the state,” the statement said. “Our oath has always been to defend the sovereignty, security and wellbeing of Papua New Guinea and its people.”
War and Unprecedented volatility
The call comes as the Middle East enters one of its most volatile periods in recent years following coordinated military strikes by the United States and Israel against Iranian targets in late February.
The operation targeted key military infrastructure and leadership in Iran. Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was confirmed killed following a strike on his compound in Tehran, dramatically escalating tensions across the region.
Iran has since launched waves of ballistic missiles and drones targeting US military installations across the Gulf region and Israel. Airports and civilian infrastructure in several Gulf states have reportedly been damaged, while international aviation routes across the region have been severely disrupted.
The conflict has also had immediate consequences for global energy markets. The Strait of Hormuz — a narrow waterway between Iran and Oman through which roughly 20 per cent of the world’s oil supply passes — has effectively closed as the conflict intensifies.
Oil prices have surged as traders anticipate a prolonged disruption to global supply, while European natural gas prices have also spiked amid concerns about broader instability in the Middle East.
PNG strategic exposure and economic risks
Major General Singirok and Commodore Ilau said the conflict highlights the vulnerability of smaller nations hosting military infrastructure linked to larger strategic powers.
Papua New Guinea’s Lombrum Naval Base on Manus Island — HMPNGS Tarangau — has recently undergone a major redevelopment as part of a joint defence partnership between Papua New Guinea, Australia and the United States. The facility reopened in 2025 following a refurbishment project valued at more than US$135 million.
While emphasising that Papua New Guinea’s security partnerships remain important, Major General Singirok and Commodore Ilau said the government must ensure the country’s territory is not used for combat operations connected to the conflict.
“This statement is not anti-American,” the statement said. “It is pro-Papua New Guinea and grounded in the principle of national sovereignty.”
Major General Singirok said neutrality was consistent with Papua New Guinea’s long-standing diplomatic position.
“Since independence, Papua New Guinea has stood on the principle of ‘Friends to All, Enemies to None,’” he said. “Neutrality is not silence. It is a sovereign strategy.”
PNG not to be used in offensive operations
The two veterans have urged the government of Prime Minister James Marape to publicly confirm that facilities such as Lombrum Naval Base and major airports, including Jacksons International Airport in Port Moresby and Nadzab Airport in Lae, are not being used as staging grounds for offensive operations.
They also warned that the economic consequences of the conflict could quickly reach Papua New Guinea’s shores.
Rising fuel prices could place pressure on the country’s transport sector, fisheries and agriculture, while disruptions to shipping lanes could affect imports and supply chains across the Pacific.
Although higher global LNG prices could temporarily increase export revenue for Papua New Guinea, Major General Singirok and Commodore Ilau said commodity volatility should not be mistaken for sustainable economic gain.
They have called on the government to work with regional partners through the Pacific Islands Forum to advocate for a ceasefire and renewed diplomatic negotiations.
The statement concludes with a warning that smaller states must remain vigilant during periods of great power confrontation.
“Papua New Guinea is not a stepping stone,” the statement said. “It is a sovereign Melanesian nation with its own dignity, its own interests and its own pathway.”
