LIVE UPDATES: Conflict in the Middle East (March 18, 2026)

Iran's huge Pars gas field was hit on Wednesday in the first reported strikes on Iranian energy infrastructure in the Gulf during the US-Israeli war, a major escalation that prompted Tehran to warn its neighbors to evacuate their energy installations.

Pars is the Iranian sector of the world's largest natural gas deposit, which Iran shares with Qatar across the Gulf. Iran's Fars news agency reported that gas tanks and parts of a refinery had been hit, workers had been evacuated to a safe location and emergency crews were trying to put out a fire.

The attack was widely reported in Israeli media to have been carried out by Israel with the consent of the United States.

President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. has ordered the suspension of the implementation of fare hike despite increases in the prices of petroleum products.

According to the President, this is not the time to increase fare of public utility transport vehicles as the tension in the Middle East continues. 

President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. has ordered the suspension of the implementation of fare hike despite increases in the prices of petroleum products.

According to the President, this is not the time to increase fare of public utility transport vehicles as the tension in the Middle East continues. 

''Kaya't inutos ko sa DOTr na suspendihin muna ang fare hike at  i-defer muna natin 'yan. I-postpone muna natin 'yan dahil nasa gitna ngayon tayo nitong sitwasyon na ito na kailangan ay patuloy ang ating pag-alalay sa ating mga commuter, sa lahat ng mga ating manggagawa, estudyante lahat ng gumagamit ng ating transport system,'' Marcos said in a video message Wednesday.

(I already instructed the DOTr to suspend fare hike and defer it. Let's postpone it because we're in the middle of situation wherein we need to cater to the needs of commuters, workers, and students who use our transport system.) 

Local government units (LGUs) nationwide should reduce their electricity and fuel consumption by 10% to 20%, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) said on Wednesday.

On Monday, March 16, the DILG issued Memorandum Circular No. 2026-023 and adopted stricter energy conservation measures amid the rising fuel prices due to the tensions in the Middle East.

“LGUs can lead by example by adopting simple but effective measures that reduce electricity and fuel consumption,” the agency said in a statement.

“Even small adjustments in daily operations can make a significant difference in achieving our goal of cutting energy use by as much as 20 percent,” the DILG added.

The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) has confirmed that another overseas Filipino worker (OFW) has been arrested in Saudi Arabia for allegedly posting videos of airstrikes on social media, adding to earlier cases reported in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

According to DMW Undersecretary Bernard Olalia, the OFW in Saudi Arabia sought assistance from Philippine authorities following the arrest.

Executive Secretary Ralph Recto said Wednesday that government-arranged flights to bring home Filipinos affected by the Middle East crisis would continue.

“The instructions of the President is clear. To keep the humanitarian airlift going. Kaya itong Air DMW ni Secretary Hans itutuloy,” Recto said in a press release.

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) is readying to roll out a free ride program to assist commuters in anticipation of the scheduled transport strike on Thursday.

MMDA general manager Nicholas Torre III on Wednesday said the agency is closely coordinating with security forces and other government units to minimize the impact of the strike on the riding public.

Around 180,000 police personnel are set to be deployed to ensure peace and order during the planned nationwide transport strike on Thursday, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said Wednesday.

“We have the strength of 230,000 plus and 85% of which, ito po ay dedicated po sa mga police visibility natin o ito po yung mga nasa kalsada natin,” PNP spokesperson Police Brigadier General Randulf Tuaño said at Kapihan sa Manila Hotel forum.

(We have a strength of 230,000 plus and 85% of which is dedicated to our police visibility on the roads.)

Transport group PISTON on Monday announced a nationwide strike on Thursday to protest against the series of fuel price hikes due to the tensions in the Middle East.

House ways and means panel chair and Marikina Rep. Romero Quimbo called on the House to adopt the Senate version of the bill allowing President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. to suspend and reduce excise tax on petroleum products amid rising oil prices caused by the Middle East conflict.

Quimbo made the call in a letter sent to House Majority Leader and Ilocos Norte Rep. Sandro Marcos.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Wednesday said cases have been filed against two gas stations in Nueva Vizcaya and Eastern Samar for overpricing fuel products amid the surge in pump prices due to Middle East tensions.

PNP spokesperson Police Brigadier General Randulf Tuaño said the profiteering violations were uncovered during monitoring and validation efforts with the Department of Energy (DOE).

“Meron na po tayong dalawa na kinasuhan. Ito po sa Nueva Viscaya at sa Eastern Samar na kung saan, hindi po sa hoarding, kundi nagbebenta ng mas mataas na presyo,” he said at Kapihan sa Manila Hotel forum.

(We already have two cases. This one in Nueva Viscaya and Eastern Samar, not for hoarding, but for selling at a higher price.)