The escalating war between Iran and Israel has become one of the most dangerous military confrontations in the Middle East in decades. What began as veiled threats and proxy clashes have evolved into direct attacks against each other’s territory. Israel has carried out airstrikes on Iran’s nuclear and military installations, while Iran has responded with missile and drone assaults on Israeli cities and critical infrastructure.

This war extends far beyond a regional conflict. It threatens global security, energy markets, economic stability, and the lives and livelihoods of millions, including overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) across the Middle East.

There are growing concerns that the longer the hostilities continue, some groups like Hezbollah and Iranian-backed militias in Iraq and Syria, may widen the scope of the conflict, turning it into a multi-front war.

A prolonged and, worse, wider war in the region would have devastating global consequences, as it holds vast oil reserves that account for nearly 50 percent of the world’s petroleum supply, including the bulk of Philippine oil imports. Adding to global concerns is the conflict’s proximity to the Strait of Hormuz, a vital maritime chokepoint through which nearly 20 percent of the world’s oil supply passes.

For the Philippines, the conflict is far from distant. It poses real and immediate risks to thousands of Filipino families. There are over 29,000 overseas Filipino workers(OFWs) in Israel and an estimated 900 to 2,000 in Iran. More broadly, the Middle East hosts approximately 2.2 million OFWs, many of whom are employed in countries now at risk of being drawn into the conflict.

Filipino workers face threats to their safety from missile attacks and civil unrest. More broadly, their economic security, and that of their families back home, is endangered by potential job losses, emergency repatriation, or remittance disruption. These remittances are a vital source of income for millions of Filipino households and contribute significantly to the national economy.

The war underscores the urgent need for renewed global commitment to diplomacy and conflict resolution. History has shown that even amid intense rivalries, dialogue can avert catastrophe. The Cold War, despite its hostilities, remained mostly a cold one thanks to back channel diplomacy and conflict prevention mechanisms.

Today, such diplomatic efforts are more necessary than ever. The United Nations Security Council must move decisively to demand an immediate ceasefire. Regional actors like the Arab League and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) should be empowered to mediate and push for de-escalation.

At the same time, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), religious institutions, and civil society groups must also play a role in promoting people-to-people dialogue and long-term reconciliation. Track II diplomacy, which includes informal negotiations and dialogue efforts by non-state actors, should be supported and expanded.

The global community must act, not only to stop the current bloody conflict but to rebuild the principle that peace, diplomacy, and dialogue remain the only paths to lasting security.