Middle East Erupts: US-Israel Strikes, Iran Retaliation, Global Travel Chaos, OFW Safety Concerns, and Protests in Baghdad
A massive US and Israeli attack on Iran, reportedly killing Supreme Leader Khamenei, has triggered retaliatory strikes, leading to widespread Middle East airport closures and thousands of stranded travelers, including Filipino OFWs. Pope Leo XIV pleads for peace, while House Speaker Dy calls for prayers and protection for Filipinos in the region. The escalating conflict also sparked protests near the US Embassy in Baghdad.
On February 28, 2026, U.S. and Israeli forces launched large-scale strikes on Iran, confirming the killing of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in IDF attacks on Tehran. This triggered Iranian threats of ferocious retaliation against U.S. bases and Israel, with Iran's parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf warning of devastating blows and the Revolutionary Guard vowing its most ferocious offensive operation in history. President Trump announced continued heavy bombing to neutralize Iran's nuclear ambitions, ballistic missiles, and proxies, escalating from previous conflicts including the 2024 Iran-Israel direct confrontations and the June 2025 Twelve-Day War.
The conflict has caused widespread travel chaos across the Middle East, with 23 international flights to and from West Asia canceled and 3 diverted due to airspace restrictions and safety concerns. Approximately 106 departing Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) were stranded in the Philippines, receiving accommodation and transport aid from the Department of Migrant Workers and Overseas Workers Welfare Administration. Philippine Airlines, Emirates, Etihad, Qatar Airways, Cebu Pacific, and Gulf Air were among affected carriers. No Filipinos have been reported injured in the region as of latest reports.
Pope Leo XIV issued multiple peace appeals, including a March 1, 2026 heartfelt appeal after the Angelus in St. Peter's Square, focusing on the Middle East and Iran amid what he called a spiral of violence risking a tragedy of enormous proportions. He urged leaders to prioritize dialogue over weapons and condemned the escalating conflict. The Philippine government has activated response mechanisms, with the Department of Foreign Affairs monitoring the situation and OWWA providing 24/7 hotline support (1348) and assistance through regional offices and the Kumusta Kabayan app.
Senator Erwin Tulfo urged the DMW to develop a recovery plan for provincial OFWs affected by the crisis, while Senator Francis Pangilinan demanded immediate crisis protocols for approximately 2 million Filipinos in the region, including about 1,000 in Iran. The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines is monitoring the situation and prioritizing passenger safety through established protocols and global coordination. While protests near the US Embassy in Baghdad were mentioned in initial reports, current Philippine news sources focus primarily on the travel disruptions and OFW safety concerns rather than specific protest details.
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