MANILA, Philippines, March 2, 2026 — The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has assured the public that Iran poses no credible threat to the country, emphasizing that the Islamic republic has no “proxy state” in Southeast Asia.

AFP officials explained that while the Middle East conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran has escalated, the fighting remains localized and contained within the region. 

“At the moment, the conflict is contained in the Middle East and poses no direct threat to Philippine territory,” the AFP said in a joint statement with the Department of National Defense.

The military stressed that Iran’s influence is concentrated in the Gulf and Levant regions, where it has historically supported groups such as Hezbollah and the Houthis, but there is no evidence of similar networks operating in Southeast Asia. This assurance comes amid public concerns that the Philippines could be dragged into the conflict due to its defense agreements with the United States.

Regional analysts have noted that Southeast Asian governments, including the Philippines, have largely responded to the Iran war by calling for restraint and dialogue.

The AFP reiterated that its primary focus remains on safeguarding Philippine sovereignty and ensuring the safety of overseas Filipino workers in the Middle East, rather than preparing for any spillover of hostilities into Southeast Asia.