Iran’s newly appointed Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has warned that the country will take revenge for the blood of its citizens. According to Iranian state television, cited by the BBC, Khamenei made the statement in his first message after being chosen as the nation’s top religious leader. He referred specifically to the attack on a girls’ school in Minab, which Iran attributes to Israel, saying 168 people were killed, including about 110 children.

Khamenei also declared that Iran would continue targeting the Hormuz Strait and advised neighboring countries to close U.S. military bases on their soil, warning that such bases could be attacked. Despite emphasizing a policy of friendship with neighboring states, his remarks underscored a hardline stance toward foreign military presence in the region.

Mojtaba Khamenei was selected by Iran’s 88-member Assembly of Experts as the third Supreme Leader following the death of Ali Khamenei, who was killed in a U.S.-Israeli strike on February 28 after leading Iran for 37 years.

President Md. Shahabuddin Chuppu delivered his constitutionally mandated address at the opening of the 13th National Parliament session on Thursday, where he strongly criticized the former Sheikh Hasina government. In his 16-page speech, he described the previous administration as fascist and accused it of corruption, killings, and enforced disappearances. He also recounted the July 2024 mass uprising that he said ended Hasina’s rule and marked Bangladesh’s liberation from fascism. The session was presided over by Speaker Major (Retd.) Hafiz Uddin Ahmed.

During his address, the president honored the country’s martyrs, including former President Ziaur Rahman, whom he called the proclaimer of independence, and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia for her role in establishing parliamentary democracy. Government members, including Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, applauded his remarks, while opposition lawmakers protested, labeling him an accomplice of the former regime and briefly walking out before returning.

The president also discussed the interim government’s initiatives following the 2024 uprising, the current administration’s welfare programs, and economic challenges such as inflation and foreign currency reserves. He expressed hope for progress in agriculture and the economy despite global instability.

Bangladesh’s Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed commented on the opposition’s walkout and protest during President Md. Shahabuddin’s address at the first session of the 13th National Parliament on March 12, 2026. Speaking to reporters after the session was adjourned, he questioned the rationale behind the opposition’s stance, noting that the same president had previously held discussions with them on August 5 and 6, and that advisers to the interim government had taken oaths before him. He pointed out that some opposition members who protested are also current members of parliament.

Responding to remarks by Opposition Leader Dr. Shafiqur Rahman, the minister said it was contradictory for the opposition to now reject the president they had earlier engaged with. However, he described walkouts as a normal part of parliamentary democracy and said such actions are permissible within democratic culture.

Ahmed added that the parliament would remain meaningful and serve as a center for national dialogue, emphasizing unity against fascism and cooperation on national issues.

Bangladesh’s opposition lawmakers, led by Jamaat-e-Islami chief and Leader of the Opposition Dr. Shafiqur Rahman, walked out of Parliament on Thursday as President Md. Shahabuddin began his speech at the inaugural session. The opposition staged protests inside the chamber, holding placards and chanting slogans before leaving. Later, at a press briefing, Dr. Rahman said they refused to listen to the President’s address because of what he described as three major offenses committed by him.

According to Dr. Rahman, the first offense was the President’s alleged complicity in killings during his tenure, as he did not protest or take action against them. The second was his contradictory statements about the resignation of a “fascist” prime minister, which Rahman said made him unfit for office. The third involved signing an ordinance related to the February 12 election and failing to convene the reform council session within the required time, which Rahman claimed insulted 70 percent of voters who supported the referendum.

Rahman added that the opposition had repeatedly rejected the President’s legitimacy and vowed to continue fighting for citizens’ rights in Parliament.

Bangladesh’s Leader of the Opposition and Jamaat-e-Islami chief Dr. Shafiqul Rahman stated that the country’s parliament had often been ineffective and symbolic under fascist control. Speaking on Thursday afternoon during a congratulatory address in the National Parliament, he said that in the 55 years since independence, the legislature had rarely functioned effectively. The session was presided over by Speaker Major (Retd.) Hafiz Uddin Ahmed.

Dr. Rahman paid tribute to those who sacrificed their lives in 1947, 1971, 1990, and the Shapla Chattar movement, as well as those who suffered during what he described as 15 and a half years of fascist rule. He said the current parliament stands on the blood of the 2024 struggle and congratulated both the Speaker and Deputy Speaker Barrister Kaiser Kamal on their appointments.

He expressed hope that the Speaker, having resigned from his party’s standing committee, would act impartially for the nation’s welfare and ensure justice for all members. Rahman also noted the presence of many young members in the new parliament and described himself as a first-time participant.

Mia Golam Parwar, Secretary General of Jamaat-e-Islami and candidate for Khulna-5 constituency, has filed a petition in the High Court challenging the result of the 13th National Parliamentary Election. He alleged vote manipulation in the constituency and sought judicial review of the outcome. The petition is scheduled for hearing before the single bench of Justice Md Zakir Hossain on Thursday.

In the Khulna-5 seat, BNP candidate Mohammad Ali Asgar was declared the winner. Under Section 49 of the Representation of the People Order, the High Court forms an election tribunal to hear petitions related to alleged electoral irregularities. Justice Md Zakir Hossain is presiding over the hearings of such petitions.

The case will determine whether the allegations of vote rigging in Khulna-5 warrant further legal proceedings or a review of the election result.

US intelligence agencies have assessed that Iran’s government remains largely intact and is not at risk of collapse, according to a Reuters report citing three sources familiar with the matter. The latest assessment was completed in recent days and indicates that Tehran continues to maintain control over its population despite ongoing regional tensions.

The report highlights that multiple intelligence analyses reached similar conclusions about the resilience of Iran’s ruling system. It also notes that the evaluation underscores the stability of Iran’s political leadership even after threats against Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and following the US-Israeli strikes on February 28.

A senior Israeli official acknowledged in the same report that Israeli authorities also recognize there is no guarantee the ongoing conflict will lead to the fall of Iran’s government.

The Bangladesh National Parliament formed five committees, including the Business Advisory Committee, on the opening day of the 13th Parliament session held on Thursday under the chairmanship of Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed. The committees were approved by voice vote of the members. Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed announced the Business Advisory and Parliamentary Committees, while Chief Whip Nurul Islam Moni proposed the names for the Special Committee, Privilege Committee, and Private Members’ Bills and Resolutions Committee.

The Business Advisory Committee includes Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed as chair, with members such as Leader of the House Tareq Rahman and Opposition Leader Shafiqul Rahman. A 14-member Special Committee, headed by Zainal Abedin, was formed to review 133 ordinances issued during the interim government period. The Privilege Committee is chaired by the Speaker, and the Private Members’ Bills Committee is led by Md. Shahjahan.

The ordinances under review include amendments to laws governing Bangladesh Bank, local government bodies, the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission, and the International Crimes Tribunals, among others. Two ordinances related to the July Uprising were also listed for consideration.

A Jhenaidah court has granted one-day remand for two leaders of the anti-discrimination student movement in a case related to a bus arson incident. The order was issued by Senior Judicial Magistrate Mokhlesur Rahman on Thursday morning. The two leaders are Humayun Kabir, former joint convener of the district committee, and Abu Hasnat Tanaim, convener of 'The Red July'. Police had sought a 10-day remand for interrogation, but the court approved one day. The case was filed over a bus set on fire at the Jhenaidah central bus terminal on the night of March 7.

On the same day, the court denied bail to five other leaders of the same movement and ordered them sent to jail in connection with vandalism at a filling station owned by Awami League leader Harunur Rashid. The accused include district convener Saidur Rahman, member secretary Ashiqur Rahman Jibon, senior joint convener Tashdid Hasan, joint convener Ejaz Hossain Antor, and Russell Hossain.

The incidents followed the death of student leader Fardin Ahmed Nirab, who was beaten by filling station workers after a dispute on March 7. Two separate cases were filed the next day, leading to police raids and arrests of movement activists.

The first session of Bangladesh’s 13th National Parliament turned heated on March 12, 2026, when President Md. Shahabuddin began his address. During the speech, the opposition alliance led by Jamaat-e-Islami and the National Congress Party (NCP) walked out of the chamber in protest. Jamaat Ameer told reporters that the president was a criminal and an accomplice to killers, accusing him of failing to take action in murder cases and neglecting his duties as a guardian of the nation.

He further alleged that although the opposition members had taken two oaths, the ruling party had not, and that the president had not convened a reform council meeting. The Jamaat leader claimed that 70 percent of the population had been insulted and accused the Speaker of ignoring opposition lawmakers. He warned that the opposition would not tolerate injustice in parliament and emphasized their role as representatives of the people.

After the walkout, opposition Chief Whip Nahid Islam said they had fought to oust fascism and protested because the Speaker denied them the chance to respond to the president’s speech.

The opening day of the 13th National Parliament session in Bangladesh ended amid intense protests, placard displays, and a walkout by opposition lawmakers led by Jamaat-e-Islami. The session, held on Thursday, March 12, 2026, was adjourned until Sunday, March 15, at 11 a.m. by Speaker Major (Retd.) Hafiz Uddin Ahmed following President Md. Shahabuddin’s inaugural address.

During the session, opposition members stood in protest as the President took the stage, chanting slogans and holding placards demanding democracy and denouncing alleged betrayal related to the July uprising. Despite repeated calls for calm from the Speaker, the opposition continued their demonstration before walking out in protest of the President’s presence and speech.

In his address, President Shahabuddin discussed the July uprising and the interim government’s role, congratulating Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and his allies for forming a majority government while emphasizing the need for a strong opposition. Outside the chamber, opposition leader and Jamaat chief Dr. Shafiqur Rahman sharply criticized the President, accusing him of complicity during the July events.

Bangladesh’s Leader of the Opposition and Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqul Rahman stated that the country’s parliament had often been ineffective, describing it as a dummy institution under fascist control for much of its history. He made the remarks on Thursday afternoon while delivering a congratulatory speech in the National Parliament, where Speaker Major (Retd.) Hafiz Uddin Ahmed presided over the session.

In his address, Dr. Rahman reflected on Bangladesh’s 55 years of independence, paying tribute to those who sacrificed their lives in 1947, 1971, 1990, and during the Shapla Chattar movement, as well as those persecuted during what he termed 15 and a half years of fascist rule. He described the current parliament as one built upon the blood of the 2024 struggle and congratulated both the newly appointed Speaker and Deputy Speaker Barrister Kaiser Kamal.

Dr. Rahman expressed hope that the Speaker, having resigned from his party’s standing committee, would act impartially and ensure justice for all members, fostering a dynamic and fair parliament.

National Citizen Party (NCP) northern chief organizer Sarjis Alam said the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) began its political journey by breaking the July Charter, sending a negative message to the people. He made the remarks on Thursday, March 12, 2026, after attending a scholarship award ceremony at Panchagarh Government Auditorium. According to him, the charter stipulated that while the Speaker would come from the ruling party, the Deputy Speaker should be from the opposition, but BNP’s Kaysar Kamal was appointed instead.

Sarjis alleged that both the Speaker and Deputy Speaker were sworn in by what he called a fascist government’s president, marking BNP’s alignment with authoritarian forces. He said the people of Bangladesh, including BNP supporters, had voted “yes” in a referendum supporting the July Charter’s implementation, justice for genocide, and reforms. Ignoring these demands, he warned, would make normal parliamentary function impossible.

He also criticized election irregularities, claiming targeted engineering in some constituencies during the national polls and warning that any attempt to manipulate upcoming local elections would be resisted by opposition forces.

The opening of the 13th National Parliament session in Bangladesh on March 12, 2026, began with an unexpected moment of humor. With the previous Speaker absconding and the Deputy Speaker imprisoned, there was initially no one to preside over the session. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman nominated Dr. Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain to chair the first sitting, a proposal accepted by the opposition.

During his speech, Deputy Leader of the Opposition Dr. Taher expressed satisfaction with the nomination, noting that Dr. Hossain was a senior leader. He added that prior consultation with the opposition would have been preferable, though they would have supported the choice regardless. At one point, Dr. Taher humorously remarked that their homes were near each other in Comilla, prompting laughter across the chamber.

The lighthearted exchange created a cheerful atmosphere in the parliamentary hall, marking a lively start to the new session.

President Md. Shahabuddin, in his address to the first session of Bangladesh’s 13th National Parliament on Thursday, described the July–August 2024 student and public uprising as a landmark in the nation’s democratic history. He said the movement, which began as a quota reform protest, evolved into an anti-fascist struggle that led to the fall of the then fascist government on August 5, 2024. The president noted that a new democratic Bangladesh emerged through the sacrifices of thousands of martyrs.

In his speech, President Shahabuddin congratulated all political parties and officials involved in organizing what he called a peaceful, free, fair, and neutral election. He stated that the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and its allies, led by Chairman Tarique Rahman, won more than two-thirds of the parliamentary seats. He extended congratulations to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and the newly formed government, as well as to all elected members of parliament.

The president also paid tribute to the martyrs of the Liberation War, former President Ziaur Rahman, and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia for their roles in establishing democracy in Bangladesh.