No Pinoy casualty in Iran amid US-Israel airstrikes —envoy

No Filipino in Iran was reported killed or injured amid the airstrikes launched by the United States and Israel, Philippine Ambassador to Iran Roberto Manalo said Monday.

"Sa kabutihang palad wala pa naman kaming nababalitaan na mga (Fortunately, we have not received any report on) untoward incidents or casualties among our Filipino community here. We are in constant connection with them through Whatsapp, Viber, email, social media. Anytime na nagkakainternent madali namin silang nakocontact (We were able to contact them whenever there is internet signal)," Manalo said in an interview with Super Radyo dzBB.

"Every time naman wala naman silang sinasabi na any casualties or any injuries sa ating mga kababayan (Every time we contact theme, there is no report of any casualties or any injuries among them)," he added.

He said there are around 840 Filipinos in Iran and most of them are permanent residents.

"Karamihan sa Pilipino dito are already married to Iranians at 'yung mga anak nila, they are still considered Filipinos kasi Philippine passport holders sila but at the same time they are Iranian nationals but they are not considered OFWs because dito na sila nakatira, they are permanent residents," he said.

(Most of the Filipinos here are already married to Iranians or their children, they are still considered Filipinos because they are Philippine passport holders but at the same time they are Iranian nationals. They are not considered as OFWs because they live here, they are permanent residents.)

He said the overseas Filipino workers in Iran are around 40 to 50 and they usually work in restaurants and hotels. 

Manalo said a number of OFWs and Filipinos studying in Iran have expressed intent to be repatriated.

"Meron na, marami nang nagtatanong sa amin. Meron nang pangilan-ngilan na talagang gusto magpa-repatriate. Kakaunahan na ang OFWs… meron ding mga estudyante, mga Filipino students na gustong magpa-repatriate kasi nagsarado na ang kanilang mga eskwelahan," the ambassador said.

(Yes, many have already asked us. There are some who really want to be repatriated. Among the first are OFWs… there are also Filipino students who want to be repatriated because their schools have closed.)

Manalo said the Philippine Embassy stands ready to evacuate Filipinos should the situation worsen as explosions from Israeli and American strikes continue to be heard in the Iranian capital.

“Tuloy-tuloy po 'yan. Hindi po namin na-anticipate kung kailan pero maya't maya may dumarating na mga pasabog dito sa Tehran galing sa Israel karamihan at sa America,” Manalo said.

(It’s continuous. We cannot anticipate when, but from time to time explosions arrive here in Tehran, mostly coming from Israel and from America.)

“Katulad kaninang kahapon, around mga pananghalian, bigla na lang isang barrage of missiles naman nang dumating. Kagabi naman around dinnertime, meron na natamaan. Dito sa area ng embassy natin meron at meron natatamaan dyan kasi maraming mga military facilities sa area ng ating embahada," he added.

(Like yesterday around lunchtime, a barrage of missiles suddenly arrived. Then last night around dinnertime, something was hit. In the area of our embassy, there are targets because there are many military facilities near our embassy.)

He said embassy staff have evacuated their residences and are staying inside the embassy compound with their families for safety. The embassy is open 24/7 to Filipinos seeking temporary shelter.

“So meron at meron magbubukas ng pintuan anytime na may darating at magbaba temporary shelter ng mga Filipinos sa ating embahada,” he said.

(There will always be someone to open the doors anytime Filipinos arrive to seek temporary shelter at our embassy.)

Evacuation plan via Turkey

Manalo said that if repatriation becomes necessary, the embassy is prepared to evacuate Filipinos through the land border with Turkey, similar to last year’s evacuation through Turkmenistan.

“Ang aming plano, if ever meron magre-request sa amin ng repatriation, is dadalhin namin sila up to the Turkish border. Once maitawid namin sila doon, dapat sasaluhin sila noong ating embassy naman sa Turkey at sila ng bahala to repatriate them back to the Philippines.”

(Our plan, if someone requests repatriation, is to bring them to the Turkish border. Once they cross, our embassy in Turkey will receive them and handle their repatriation back to the Philippines.)

He explained that exit permits and Turkish visas must first be processed before any evacuation can proceed.

Mixed reactions to Supreme Leader’s death

Manalo also described mixed reactions among Iranians following the reported death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei.

“Sa tingin ko very mixed ang reaction ng mga Iranians sa pagkamatay ng kanilang leader,” he said.

(I think the reaction of Iranians to the death of their leader is very mixed.)

He said many supporters gathered in Tehran, while in other parts of Iran, some celebrated and called for leadership change.

In the meantime, a temporary leadership council composed of the President, Chief Justice, and a senior cleric is running the country while an assembly selects a new Supreme Leader.

Manalo explained that under Iran’s system, the Supreme Leader holds the highest authority.

Despite tensions, Manalo assured that the Philippine Embassy remains prepared.

“We can always do that again,” he said of evacuation efforts. “But for the meantime… wala pa talagang definite plan na magparepatriate.”

(We can always do that again. But for the meantime… there is still no definite plan among them to be repatriated.)

He thanked Filipinos for their prayers and support as tensions continue in the region.

Maya’t mayang pambobomba, ramdam sa PH Embassy sa Iran https://t.co/XQaiTHg4CK

— DZBB Super Radyo (@dzbb) March 2, 2026

On Saturday, the United States and Israel launched joint military operations against Iran on Saturday, escalating tensions in the region.

The Israeli military said Iran retaliated with missile strikes on Israel.

The Pentagon has officially designated the American strikes as Operation Epic Fury.

At least 54 Filipinos in Israel have expressed interest to be repatriated amid the ongoing conflict. 

A 32-year old Filipina caregiver and native of Pangasinan, was killed during a missile attack in Tel Aviv on the evening of February 28.—AOL, GMA Integrated News