LIVE UPDATES: Conflict in the Middle East (March 20, 2026)

TEL AVIV/DUBAI/WASHINGTON — Israel and Iran launched fresh attacks on each other on Friday, a day after Tehran struck an Israeli oil refinery and after US President Donald Trump warned Israel against further attacks on an Iranian offshore gas field shared with Qatar.

Israel struck Tehran, targeting the "infrastructure of the Iranian terror regime," the military said in a brief statement that did not provide details. Iran fired a barrage of missiles at Israel, the Israeli military said, triggering air raid sirens in Tel Aviv as explosions from air defense interceptors echoed across the city.

Flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) has temporarily suspended its flights between Manila and key Middle East destinations, including Dubai and Doha, until April 30 due to ongoing security concerns in the region.

Affected routes include Manila–Dubai–Manila (PR 658/659) and Manila–Doha (PR 684/685), with an additional cancellation of the Doha–Manila flight on May 1.

LONDON — Leading European nations, Japan and Canada issued a joint statement on Thursday saying they were ready to join appropriate efforts to ensure safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz and would take steps to stabilize energy markets.

A bill prohibiting the imposition of new taxes or increase in existing tax for 2026 has been proposed in the House of Representatives amid rising fuel prices.

House Deputy Speaker David “Jayjay” Suarez of Quezon made the proposal under House Bill 8660 or the Tax Relief Act of 2026.

Motorists should buckle up tighter in the coming week as fuel prices are in for another round of mega price hike, still amid the ongoing petroleum crisis due to the Middle East war.

According to an oil industry source, the projected pump price increases next week are the following:

    Diesel - P14.00 to P14.50 per liter
    Gasoline - P7.00 to P7.50 per liter

These projections could push the retail prices of diesel to as much as P130 per liter, and gasoline to breach the P100 per liter mark following the double-digit hikes this week.

President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. assured the public Friday that food supply in the country is sufficient amid the Middle East tension, noting that manufacturers had committed to keep prices steady “for as long as they can.''

Marcos made the remark following his visit at Century Pacific Food Inc Calamba Distribution Center in Laguna province.

''Ang supply ay hindi kailangan na mag-alala ang (taumbayan). Ang food supply natin ay sapat kahit na pangmatagalan,'' Marcos said. 

(Filipinos don't need to worry about the food supply. Our food supply is enough.) 

Four individuals were arrested in Guinobatan, Albay for allegedly engaging in unauthorized fuel distribution, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said.

Seized during the operation were three portable micro fuel dispensers, a fuel tank, sales invoices, and marked buy-bust money, with an estimated total value of P2.32 million.

BRUSSELS — European Union leaders called on Thursday for a moratorium on military strikes on energy and water facilities in the Middle East, amid growing concerns about the impact of the Iran war on the global economy.

"The European Council calls for de-escalation and maximum restraint, the protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure and full respect of international law by all parties," the leaders of the EU's 27 countries said in written conclusions of a summit in Brussels.

"In this regard, it calls for a moratorium on strikes against energy and water facilities," they said.

DOHA/WASHINGTON/JERUSALEM — President Donald Trump told Israel not to repeat its attacks on Iranian natural gas infrastructure as tit-for-tat strikes on energy plants sent prices spiraling, sharply escalating the US-Israeli war on Iran.

The conflict has killed thousands of people, spread to neighboring nations and hit the global economy since the United States and Israel launched strikes on February 28, after talks about Tehran's nuclear program failed to yield a deal.

PISTON's transport strike due to the recent oil price hike due to the Middle East conflict resumed Friday.

The transport group plans to march to Mendiola this afternoon to voice their concerns to Malacanang.