The Philippine government on Sunday expressed “great concern” over the latest development in the Middle East.

“We strongly urge concerned parties to take the path of diplomacy and avoid further escalation of this conflict that could threaten regional and international peace and security,” the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said in a statement.

The department issued the statement after the United States military carried out strikes on three nuclear sites in Iran — its first-ever direct offense against Israel’s old rival.

According to the DFA, the welfare and safety of Filipinos in the region are of “primordial concern.”

It also reiterated that the Philippine government will “relentlessly continue to advance and prioritize their protection.”

Likewise, the department said the Philippine Embassies in the region are prepared to provide necessary assistance to Filipinos in their jurisdictions.

Israel is second home to at least 30,742 Filipinos while there are 1,180 Filipinos in Iran.

“The Philippines continues to reiterate the need for a peaceful and diplomatic solution to this crisis,” it said.

President Donald Trump said the US military carried out strikes Sunday on three Iranian nuclear sites and that Tehran "must now agree to end this war", following days of speculation over whether the United States would join its ally Israel's bombing campaign.

Trump said the US military carried out a "very successful attack" on three Iranian nuclear sites, including the underground uranium enrichment facility at Fordo.

"We have completed our very successful attack on the three Nuclear sites in Iran," Trump said in a post on his Truth Social platform, referring to Fordo, Isfahan and Natanz.

"A full payload of BOMBS was dropped on the primary site," Fordo, he said, adding the planes were safely out of Iranian airspace and on the way home.

Iranian media said the Fordo, Isfahan and Natanz nuclear sites were hit. WITH AFP