Bangladesh’s Minister of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources, Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku, visited petrol pumps in Dhaka’s Asad Gate area on Friday, March 6, 2026, following a sudden increase in fuel demand. The surge came amid rumors about supply disruptions and price hikes linked to the ongoing war situation in the Middle East. During his inspection, the minister urged citizens not to purchase or store extra fuel, assuring that the country has sufficient reserves and that supply remains stable.

He emphasized that there is no reason for panic and that the government is closely monitoring the situation to ensure steady distribution. The minister also called on drivers and the general public to avoid spreading unnecessary fear regarding fuel availability. His visit aimed to raise awareness and counter misinformation circulating in the market.

Authorities reiterated that fuel supply across Bangladesh remains normal and that the government is maintaining constant oversight to prevent any artificial crisis.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has warned that if the ongoing war continues for an extended period, it could pose a serious threat to Europe’s security and regional stability, according to Al Jazeera. He stated that a prolonged conflict could also endanger the security of Israel and its partner countries in the Middle East.

Merz further noted that continuing the war serves no one’s interest and could jeopardize Iran’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. He cautioned that instability in Iran might undermine Europe’s energy security and trigger an uncontrolled wave of migration.

The Chancellor’s remarks highlight growing concerns in Europe about the broader geopolitical and economic consequences of the conflict, particularly its potential to disrupt energy supplies and regional balance.

Production at the Ghorashal-Polash Urea Fertilizer Factory in Narsingdi has been suspended due to the ongoing gas shortage in Bangladesh. The environmentally friendly plant, one of Southeast Asia’s major urea producers, stopped operations at 3 p.m. on March 4, 2026. The shutdown has sparked fears of fertilizer shortages during the peak Boro rice cultivation season. Built at a cost of about Tk 15,000 crore, the plant began operations in 2024 with a daily capacity of 2,800 metric tons of urea.

According to factory officials, the plant had been running at full capacity since its inauguration, producing 2,846 metric tons in the last 24 hours before closure. The facility requires 71–72 MMCFD of gas for continuous production but can operate with 52–53 MMCFD. Currently, about 525,000 metric tons of fertilizer remain in storage. Authorities have not confirmed when production will resume, as gas supply remains uncertain.

The factory management expressed hope that gas supply will be restored soon to resume production and maintain timely loan installment payments derived from fertilizer sales.

U.S. President Donald Trump has demanded Iran’s ‘unconditional surrender’ as the joint U.S. and Israeli offensive against Iran entered its seventh day. According to Al Jazeera, Trump made the statement in a social media post, declaring that there would be no deal with Iran and that surrender was the only path forward.

Trump further stated that he does not consider Iran’s current leadership acceptable and called for the formation of a new government in Tehran. He suggested that once new leadership is in place, the United States and its allies could assist in rebuilding Iran.

Analysts noted that Trump’s remarks could further escalate tensions between Washington and Tehran, as the term ‘unconditional surrender’ is typically associated with the final stages of war and represents a severe demand.

National Citizen Party (NCP) convener and opposition chief whip Nahid Islam stated that although political leadership has changed in Bangladesh, the lives of ordinary people have not improved. Speaking at an iftar event organized by Khelafat Majlis at Fars Hotel and Resorts in Dhaka’s Paltan area on Friday evening, he remarked that the country’s leadership now ends speeches with 'Bangladesh Zindabad' instead of 'Joy Bangla', symbolizing only a shift in party dominance rather than real progress.

Nahid Islam alleged that incidents of violence against women and rape have increased across the country since the BNP formed the government. He cited a case in Noakhali’s Hatiya, where a woman was allegedly assaulted for voting for the Shapla symbol. He criticized civil society and women’s rights activists for remaining silent on these issues.

He emphasized that despite others’ silence, the National Citizen Party will continue to speak out for people’s rights. Senior NCP leaders, including chief coordinator Nasiruddin Patwari and spokesperson Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan, attended the event.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer and opposition leader Dr. Shafiqur Rahman declared that the July uprising would be defended even at the cost of life. Speaking as chief guest at an iftar event organized by Khelafat Majlis at Fars Hotel and Resorts in Dhaka, he said the survival of the interim government, national election, and newly formed administration depended on preserving the July spirit. He pledged unity to protect the July ideals and prevent any return to fascism or impunity.

Khelafat Majlis Ameer Maulana Abdul Basit Azad, presiding over the event, accused the new government of engaging in divisive politics over the July Charter and referendum. He warned that attempts to politicize the referendum through the courts would have serious consequences. Azad urged the government to honor its commitments as a signatory to the July Charter and to introduce a bill in the first parliamentary session to form a constitutional reform council.

Azad also condemned attacks by Israel and the United States on Iran, calling for global solidarity with Iran and unity among Muslim nations against aggression.

A video circulating on social media claimed that the army conducted a raid at the residence of Hasnat Abdullah, the chief coordinator of NCP’s southern region and Member of Parliament for Cumilla-4, seizing a large cache of weapons and arresting three people. However, fact-checking organization Rumor Scanner has confirmed that the claim is false.

According to Rumor Scanner’s investigation, the video being shared does not depict any raid at Hasnat Abdullah’s home. Instead, it shows footage from a joint forces operation in Savar, where a former leader of Jahangirnagar University’s student wing and three associates were arrested with weapons. The same footage was originally published on February 9 by Ekattor Television’s YouTube channel and reported by The Daily Campus.

Rumor Scanner found no evidence from mainstream or credible news sources supporting the claim of an army raid at Hasnat Abdullah’s residence, confirming that the viral allegation is baseless.

The Dhaka University Journalists’ Association (DUJA) organized a discussion and iftar gathering on March 6, 2026, at the Teachers-Students Centre (TSC) auditorium, bringing together leaders from around 20 student organizations and the university administration. The event, titled “Restoration of Democracy: The Expected Campus,” called for strengthening democratic coexistence, healthy political practices, and harmony on campus.

Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Niaz Ahmed Khan praised the initiative for uniting diverse political groups under one roof, describing it as a positive example of dialogue. Other university officials, including Pro-Vice-Chancellors Professor Dr. Saima Haque Bidisha and Professor Dr. Mamun Ahmed, emphasized DUJA’s role in supporting transparency and fostering a safe, inclusive campus. Leaders from various student organizations highlighted the need for tolerance, cooperation, and an end to campus violence and misinformation.

Speakers also urged regular student union elections and active administrative engagement to sustain a democratic academic environment, reflecting a shared commitment to peaceful political coexistence at Dhaka University.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has reaffirmed his government’s commitment to strengthening Bangladesh’s bilateral and multilateral relations with countries around the world. Speaking at an iftar reception in honor of foreign diplomats in Dhaka on Friday, he said the government values partnerships founded on mutual respect, cooperation, and trust. The event was held at the state guesthouse Jamuna.

In his remarks before the iftar, Rahman emphasized that the gathering symbolized harmony among people of different nations, religions, and cultures. He reiterated his government’s stance on protecting independence, ensuring human rights, and combating corruption. The prime minister also highlighted ongoing efforts to maintain law and order, empower women, and support new entrepreneurs to build an inclusive economy.

Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman noted that Bangladesh prioritizes equality, mutual interest, and friendship in its bilateral relations. Diplomats from India, Nepal, Bhutan, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, the United States, the United Kingdom, China, and several other countries attended the event alongside cabinet members and senior officials.

Several Israeli soldiers were injured during a military operation along the Lebanon border, according to Israeli Army Radio as reported by Al Jazeera. Among the injured is the son of Israel’s Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich. The report did not provide details on how the soldiers were wounded or their current medical condition.

The incident occurred amid heightened tensions along the Lebanon-Israel frontier, where Israeli forces have recently increased military activity. The escalation follows a period of growing cross-border friction, prompting Israel to intensify its operations in the area.

Further information about the circumstances of the injuries or the broader military objectives has not yet been released by Israeli authorities.

The United States carried out its first B-2 bomber strike on Iran since the start of the war, according to reports on Friday. The operation targeted underground ballistic missile launchers in Tehran and other Iranian cities. The US and Israel have been conducting extensive attacks across Iran for seven consecutive days, with Israel announcing the beginning of a second phase of its assault.

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated that the intensity of the bombing campaign is set to increase dramatically. Admiral Brad Cooper, head of the US Central Command, confirmed that several B-2 stealth bombers dropped dozens of 2,000-pound penetrator bombs designed to destroy underground facilities.

The report, citing Al Jazeera, indicates a significant escalation in the conflict, with both US and Israeli forces intensifying their operations against Iranian military infrastructure.

Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake announced that the country’s navy rescued 208 crew members from the Iranian ship IRIS Bushehr, which was anchored within Sri Lanka’s exclusive economic zone near Colombo port. The ship had requested permission to enter Sri Lankan waters, and following discussions between the Iranian embassy and the Sri Lankan government, the ship’s captain decided to proceed with the rescue. The rescued personnel include 53 officers, 84 cadets, 48 senior sailors, and 23 sailors, who are being brought to Colombo port before being transferred to the Trincomalee area.

The rescue follows an earlier incident on March 4, when another Iranian vessel, IRIS Dena, was reportedly attacked near Sri Lanka’s coast. The United States claimed responsibility for sinking that ship with a submarine torpedo. Sri Lanka’s navy rescued 32 people from the Dena and admitted them to Galle National Hospital for treatment. Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath later confirmed that 84 bodies had been recovered from the incident, with the remains also taken to the same hospital.

The coordinated rescue operations highlight Sri Lanka’s ongoing maritime response efforts following consecutive Iranian naval incidents near its waters.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian stated that several countries have initiated mediation efforts, though he did not specify which nations are involved. In a social media post, he emphasized Iran’s commitment to lasting peace in the region while asserting that the country would not compromise on its dignity and sovereignty. Pezeshkian added that mediation should be directed toward those who have underestimated the Iranian people and fueled the ongoing conflict.

His remarks come at a time when Iran has been carrying out retaliatory strikes targeting U.S. bases, facilities, and energy infrastructure in neighboring Arab countries. These missile attacks have drawn angry reactions from nearby states, according to the report.

The statement highlights Iran’s dual stance of supporting regional peace while maintaining a firm defense posture amid escalating tensions.

Health and Family Welfare Ministry’s Health Services Division Secretary Mohammad Kamruzzaman Chowdhury announced that broker networks will be eradicated from hospital complexes to ensure uninterrupted medical services for the public. He made the statement on Friday during a visit to the 50-bed Begumganj Health Complex in Noakhali, emphasizing that government hospitals are the last resort for many citizens and that no broker activity will be tolerated.

The secretary said strict monitoring has already been increased around hospitals, and authorities have been instructed to take necessary actions against fraudulent brokers who mislead patients into private clinics or diagnostic centers. Coordinated efforts among the administration, police, and hospital authorities are underway to identify and remove such brokers. Measures include tightening security at hospital entrances, installing CCTV cameras, setting up information centers, and raising awareness so patients seek services directly from official counters.

He further warned that any hospital staff found involved with brokers will face strict administrative action, including possible dismissal. The ministry is implementing various steps to ensure transparency, accountability, and zero tolerance for corruption in the health sector, following directives from the Prime Minister.

State Minister for Energy Anindya Islam Amit announced that Bangladesh will introduce a rationing system for fuel sales starting Sunday to prevent long-term energy shortages. He said written instructions will be sent to petrol pumps, following his inspection of a station in Paribagh on Friday. The minister emphasized that the government has sufficient fuel reserves and urged the public not to panic.

Amit explained that public concern over fuel availability is understandable given the ongoing war situation, but assured that there is no reason for alarm. He noted that fuel supply had been increased several times in recent days and that consumers were purchasing more than usual. The government, he said, is working to minimize public hardship.

The minister added that global fuel prices have risen sharply, creating pressure on the domestic market. While the government will try to avoid price hikes, he said any unavoidable adjustments will be shared transparently with citizens, seeking their understanding and support.