Philippines Maintains Embassy Operations in Iran Amid Conflict

MANILA – The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) of the Philippines has confirmed that all Filipino diplomats stationed at the Philippine Embassy in Tehran will remain in Iran to continue their assistance and monitoring of the Filipino community amidst escalating tensions in the region. This announcement was made by Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Eduardo Jose De Vega during the Saturday News Forum held in Quezon City on June 21, 2025.

Undersecretary De Vega emphasized the importance of the embassy's operations, stating that the Philippine mission cannot afford to withdraw any personnel, as each diplomat plays a vital role in maintaining the embassy's functions. "They cannot even pull out even one. They will send home their wives, their dependents, who can always go home," De Vega noted, quoting Philippine Ambassador Robert Manalo.

The embassy currently has nine diplomats, including Ambassador Manalo, who reiterated that all members are considered essential staff. Plans to evacuate non-essential personnel were initially discussed due to the ongoing Israel-Iran conflict, but ultimately, the decision was made to keep all embassy staff in place.

In light of the situation, the DFA is actively identifying safe exit routes for approximately 1,200 Filipinos residing in Iran, many of whom are married to Iranian citizens. DFA Assistant Secretary Robert Ferrer stated that nine Filipinos have already requested repatriation. "We are considering all the possible safe border exits from Iran. Tehran is now almost like a ghost town, and many have left, including Filipinos," Ferrer said.

Currently, Tehran is witnessing a significant exodus of foreign nationals, with the Philippine embassy being one of the few foreign missions still operational in the capital. The DFA has raised Alert Level 3, which indicates a voluntary repatriation status in both Israel and Iran. However, officials have yet to recommend moving to a mandatory repatriation status. Ferrer commented, "There’s a lot of misinformation going on, and it’s in Manila, not Tel Aviv. If you ask most of our Filipinos in Tel Aviv, they are calm; they don’t want to go home. They believe in the Israeli system to protect them."

The Philippine government is also preparing to facilitate the return of Filipinos from Israel, with the first group of 26 individuals scheduled to arrive back in the Philippines next week. As the situation in Iran and Israel continues to develop, the DFA remains committed to ensuring the safety and welfare of Filipinos abroad while maintaining diplomatic operations in Tehran.

This ongoing commitment highlights the Philippines' dedication to protecting its citizens and sustaining its presence in critical regions, even amidst challenging geopolitical landscapes. The DFA plans to provide further updates as evacuation strategies are finalized and as the situation evolves.

For the time being, the Philippine Embassy in Tehran stands as a critical lifeline for Filipinos in Iran, showcasing the resilience and adaptability of the Filipino diplomatic mission in the face of external pressures. As the geopolitical landscape continues to shift, the actions of the Philippine government reflect a broader commitment to national safety and the welfare of its citizens abroad.