LIVE UPDATES: Conflict in the Middle East (March 15, 2026)

The Philippine Embassy in Abu Dhabi and the Consulate General in Dubai are verifying reports that Filipino nationals may have been among those arrested for sharing online content related to recent attacks and air defense interceptions in Dubai.

In a statement on Sunday, the embassy said the Philippine government has sought official confirmation and details from local authorities regarding the identity, status, and legal circumstances of any Filipinos involved.

“The Philippine Embassy and Consulate General fully respect the sovereignty of the United Arab Emirates and its right to enforce its national security, cybercrime, and public order laws,” the statement read.

DUBAI/JERUSALEM - U.S. President Donald Trump threatened further strikes on Iran's Kharg Island oil export hub and urged allies to send warships to secure the Strait of Hormuz, as Tehran vowed to step up its response and the war showed no sign on Sunday of coming to an end.

Trump said the U.S. strikes had "totally demolished" most of Kharg Island and warned that more could follow, telling NBC News, "We may hit it a few more times just for fun." While he said Tehran appeared ready to make a deal to end the conflict, he added that "the terms aren't good enough yet."

Pope Leo suggested on Friday (Saturday in the Philippines) that Christian political leaders who start wars should go to confession and assess whether they are following the teachings of Jesus, without naming any specific leaders or conflicts.

"Do those Christians who bear grave responsibility in armed conflicts have the humility and courage to make a serious examination of conscience and to go to confession?" the pope asked in a speech to priests.

U.S. President Donald Trump urged other nations to send warships to the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday (Sunday in the Philippines), after Iran threatened escalation across the Middle East to retaliate for Washington's bombing of its main Gulf island energy hub.

Formula One's Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix will not take place in April due to the conflict in the Middle East, the sport announced on Saturday.
 

The announcement had been widely expected and the statement by the Liberty media-owned sport and governing FIA, as well as local promoters, said the races will not be replaced on the calendar next month.

US President Donald Trump has rebuffed diplomatic efforts by Middle Eastern mediators to initiate ceasefire talks with Iran aimed at ending the widening conflict in the region, three sources familiar with the discussions told Reuters.

The conflict erupted in late February when US and Israeli forces launched a major air assault on Iranian targets, drawing Tehran into a broader war that has so far resulted in significant casualties and heightened global tensions. Iran has also closed the strategic Strait of Hormuz, disrupting global oil supplies.

Some oil-loading operations have been suspended in the United Arab Emirates' Fujairah emirate, a major bunkering hub and crude export terminal, after a drone attack and fire on Saturday, industry and trade sources said.

The suspension comes hours after the US attacked military targets on Iran's Kharg Island oil export terminal and Iran's Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) responded by saying that US interests in the UAE - including ports, docks and military locations - were legitimate targets.

Rising tensions in the Middle East are already pushing fuel prices higher, raising concerns over how a possible surge in global oil prices could affect the Philippines.

In recent days, local oil companies have begun adjusting pump prices as the conflict involving Iran, the United States, and Israel escalates.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) earlier warned that the conflict could last between four and eight weeks.