Philippine embassies across several Middle Eastern countries have advised Filipino nationals to restrict their movements as Iran launched missile and drone strikes on U.S. military bases in the region in retaliation for a major joint U.S.-Israeli military operation against Iran.
The Philippine missions in the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon and Jordan issued the advisory Saturday following reports of explosions and air defense activations in cities including Abu Dhabi, Manama and Kuwait City. Local authorities in those areas sounded sirens and issued shelter-in-place alerts amid the attacks.
Iran’s retaliatory strikes targeted U.S. installations, including Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait, Al Dhafra Air Base in the UAE and the U.S. Navy’s Fifth Fleet headquarters in Bahrain. The attacks marked a sharp escalation in long-standing tensions over Iran’s nuclear program, following the U.S. and Israeli strikes — described by U.S. officials as aimed at eliminating threats from Tehran’s missile capabilities and leadership — which reportedly killed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and other senior figures.
Flight-tracking data from Flightradar24 showed multiple airspaces closed, including over Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Bahrain, the UAE and Qatar, disrupting commercial aviation across the region.
Department of Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro expressed deep concern over the rapid deterioration of the situation and urged all parties to “resort immediately to dialogue and negotiations to de-escalate tensions.”
As of the latest updates, the DFA reported no Filipinos had been harmed or directly affected by the strikes. Philippine embassies in Tehran, Iran, and Tel Aviv, Israel, remain on full alert to monitor developments and assist citizens if needed.
The advisories from Philippine missions in the Gulf urged Filipinos to stay indoors or in safe locations, avoid public areas and follow local authorities’ instructions. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. earlier directed the DFA and the Department of Migrant Workers to locate and secure overseas Filipinos in potentially affected zones.
The Philippine government has a large overseas workforce in the Middle East, with hundreds of thousands employed in the Gulf states hosting the targeted U.S. bases.
The strikes come amid heightened regional volatility, with air defenses in several Gulf countries intercepting incoming projectiles and reports of minor damage and injuries from debris in civilian areas. U.S. officials have stated no American casualties occurred from the Iranian response, with damage to installations described as minimal.
The DFA reiterated calls for Filipinos in the region to register with their nearest embassy or consulate and to monitor official channels for updates as the situation remains fluid.
