!["That anyone in the White House took this plan seriously, let alone acted on it, is a genuinely staggering notion. But the proposition that [former President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad] could retake the reins of power in Iran is possibly the least preposterous part of the scheme](https://asiapacificreport.nz/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Mahmoud-Ahmadinejad-WikiP-680wide-218x150.png "Israeli claims about an Iran ‘threat’ were always a lie. Now we have proof")
By Stefan Armbuster of SBS World News
Indonesia’s military confirms one soldier was killed and more are unaccounted for after clashes with the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB-OPM) rebels holding New Zealand pilot Philip Mehrtens hostage.
The West Papuans claim at least six soldiers were killed and a number taken prisoner during the Indonesian military’s rescue operation to find the civilian pilot for Susi Air captured on February 7.
An escalation of Indonesian actions has been flagged, with West Papuans claiming there were retaliatory helicopter airstrikes.
- READ MORE: West Papuan rebels claim 9 soldiers killed in Jakarta bid to free NZ pilot
- Why Indonesia fails to address the West Papua conflict
- Other West Papua reports
The New Zealand government says it is seeking a “peaceful resolution” and Mehrten’s “safe release”.
Republished with permission.
!["That anyone in the White House took this plan seriously, let alone acted on it, is a genuinely staggering notion. But the proposition that [former President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad] could retake the reins of power in Iran is possibly the least preposterous part of the scheme](https://asiapacificreport.nz/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Mahmoud-Ahmadinejad-WikiP-680wide-100x70.png "Israeli claims about an Iran ‘threat’ were always a lie. Now we have proof")
