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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Middle East tension affects more countries in region

Middle East tension affects more countries in region

Published Feb 28, 2026 08:47 pm
SMOKE rises on the skyline after an explosion in Tehran, Iran, Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026. (AP)
SMOKE rises on the skyline after an explosion in Tehran, Iran, Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026. (AP)
The joint attack launched by Israel and the United States on Iran​ has expanded into a regional conflict​ as other countries are now also affected by the​ ongoing exchange of attacks.
The Philippine government called on parties involved to immediately resort to dialogue as it expressed concern ​on the safety of ​those, especially Filipinos​, in the Middle East.
Iran confirmed launching missile attacks on Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates—countries that host US military bases—​in retaliation to the “major combat operations” that the US​ and Israel began​ on Saturday, Feb. 28​.
It was an action taken by Tel Aviv and Washington to eliminate existential threats posed by Tehran.
Doha condemned ​Tehran's “targeting of its territory and sisterly states” and affirmed its right to respond.
Meanwhile, Abu Dhabi announced being “subjected to a blatant attack involving Iranian ballistic missiles.”
It said it intercepted the missiles “with high efficiency” and handled all the debris, although one Pakistani national was killed by falling debris, according to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).
Manama also confirmed that attacks were targeted at their sites and facilities.
Saudi Arabia's foreign ministry condemned and denounced "in strongest terms the blatant Iranian aggression and the flagrant violation of the sovereignty of the UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, and Jordan."
A Jordanian government spokesperson said Jordan is "not part of the conflict in the region and will not allow anyone to violate its sovereignty."
​DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro said President ​Marcos is ​"deeply concerned for the safety of Filipinos in Iran, Israel, and all the countries in the region​," and instructed the agency as well as the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) to immediately take steps and implement contingency plans to ensure the safety of Filipinos in these countries.
​No Filipinos are affected or harmed by the ongoing attacks, the DFA said.
The DFA ​a​lso assured the President that ​embassies​ in the Middle East stand ready to assist nationals.
​"We continue to advise Filipinos to stay in their homes or safe places and refrain from going out to public places at this time​," Lazaro said.

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DFA Ma. Theresa Lazaro Iran airstrikes
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