The United States Embassy in Iraq has instructed American citizens to leave the country due to ongoing risks from missile, drone, and rocket attacks in Iraqi airspace. The advisory also urged citizens to avoid visiting the embassy in Baghdad or the consulate general in Erbil. With air routes closed, travelers were advised to exit Iraq by land through Jordan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, or Turkey.

According to the new security alert, Iran-backed armed groups have been carrying out widespread attacks across Iraq, including the Kurdish region, targeting American citizens and sites linked to Washington. The embassy’s directive reflects heightened security concerns amid escalating regional tensions.

The situation underscores the growing instability in Iraq and the broader region, with potential implications for diplomatic operations and civilian safety if the attacks continue.

Turkey’s Transport Minister Abdulkadir Uraloğlu announced that a Turkish oil tanker was hit by a drone attack in the Black Sea early Thursday morning. The vessel, operated by a Turkish company but sailing under a foreign flag, was carrying crude oil loaded from Russia. At the time of the incident, 27 Turkish sailors were on board, and all have been reported safe.

Uraloğlu stated in a televised interview that the country’s emergency call center received reports of an explosion shortly after midnight. He confirmed that relevant authorities were dispatched to the scene and that the situation is being closely monitored.

According to the minister, the tanker’s operations and safety measures are under review as officials continue to assess the extent of the damage and potential risks in the area.

Iran has announced that ships from Bangladesh and several other friendly nations will be allowed to navigate safely through the Strait of Hormuz despite ongoing regional conflict. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated on state television that the strait has not been completely closed, countering claims by Western media. He said Iran’s armed forces are ensuring secure passage for vessels from countries it considers friendly or has granted special permission.

According to Araghchi, the countries benefiting from this arrangement include China, Russia, Pakistan, Iraq, India, and Bangladesh. He mentioned that two Indian ships recently crossed the strait safely and that coordination with Bangladesh and others will continue even after the war. However, he clarified that ships from nations Iran views as adversaries or involved in the conflict will not be allowed to pass.

The decision comes as global energy supply disruptions intensify around the Hormuz Strait, a key maritime route. Iran’s selective approach aims to maintain limited trade flow while restricting access to its perceived opponents.

Iran has outlined several conditions for ending the ongoing war, rejecting a ceasefire proposal from the United States. According to Iran’s state-run Press TV, Tehran stated that the conflict will only cease once its specified conditions are fulfilled. The report did not detail the conditions but confirmed that Iran’s stance was firm on this requirement.

The United States had earlier proposed a ceasefire, with Pakistan acting as an intermediary to deliver Washington’s offer to Tehran. Senior Pakistani sources confirmed to Al Jazeera that the document from the Trump administration was presented to Iranian officials, and they are now awaiting a response. The development underscores the complex diplomatic exchanges involving multiple regional and global actors.

The situation remains tense, with related reports noting that Iran’s actions, including closing the Strait of Hormuz, have drawn criticism from the Gulf Cooperation Council, while concerns grow over potential energy instability in Asia if the war continues.

Iran has rejected a United States proposal to end the ongoing war, according to Iranian state television Press TV, citing a senior political and security official. The official stated that Iran would decide when to end the war based on its own conditions, emphasizing that the decision would only come once those conditions are met.

Among Iran’s stated conditions are a complete halt to what it calls enemy aggression and assassinations, the establishment of concrete measures to prevent the war from being reimposed on Iran, and guarantees for compensation and reparations for wartime damages. Iran also demands clear financial arrangements for all resistance groups involved across the region and the conclusion of hostilities on all fronts. Additionally, Tehran seeks international recognition and assurance of its sovereign rights over the Strait of Hormuz.

Iranian officials have repeatedly said they are seeking not just a ceasefire but a full end to the war, underscoring their insistence on sovereignty and security guarantees before any settlement.

The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) has issued new claims about Iran’s military losses in the ongoing Middle East war. In a video message on Wednesday, CENTCOM Commander Brad Cooper said that over three weeks of fighting, US forces carried out strikes on more than 10,000 Iranian military targets and conducted over 10,000 aerial operations. He asserted that Iran’s air defense systems have been severely weakened.

According to Cooper, 92 percent of Iran’s largest naval vessels have been destroyed, and the country’s missile and drone launch rates have dropped by more than 90 percent. He added that over two-thirds of Iran’s missile, drone, and shipbuilding facilities have been damaged or destroyed. Cooper stated that the US is on track to achieve its military objectives, including reducing Iran’s ability to project power beyond its borders.

Despite these claims, Tehran continues to launch drone and missile attacks on US and Israeli positions in the Gulf region, as well as on energy facilities, causing casualties, infrastructure damage, and flight disruptions.

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has warned that the ongoing war against Iran has gone beyond all limits and is now out of control. Speaking at a press conference at the UN headquarters in New York, he said the conflict, which has lasted for more than three weeks, has reached a level that even leaders could not have imagined. Guterres cautioned that the world is facing the threat of a wider war, growing humanitarian suffering, and deeper global economic shocks.

Calling for an immediate halt to military escalation, Guterres urged all parties to replace confrontation with diplomacy and to restore full respect for international law. Addressing the main parties involved, he said that the United States and Israel should end the war now, as civilian casualties and humanitarian suffering continue to rise and the global economic impact becomes increasingly devastating.

He also called on Iran to stop attacks on Gulf countries, arguing that those nations are not parties to the conflict.

The United States has claimed that nearly two-thirds of Iran’s missile and drone production capacity has been destroyed, along with major damage to its naval production systems. Admiral Brad Cooper, head of the US Central Command, stated in a video message on Wednesday that 92 percent of Iran’s large naval vessels have been damaged or destroyed. He said Iran has effectively lost its ability to project naval power regionally or globally. The report was carried by AFP from Washington.

Cooper added that the conflict, which began with Israel’s involvement, has entered its fourth week and that the US is meeting or exceeding its operational goals. He said more than 10,000 military targets have been struck so far, and Iran’s missile and drone attack rate has dropped by 90 percent. According to him, Iran’s reconstruction capacity has also been broken.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Wednesday that Tehran has no plans to hold talks with the United States and remains determined to continue fighting. The White House had earlier stated that discussions were ongoing.

German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said that a war against Iran would be a catastrophe for the global economy. Speaking to journalists at the Australian Parliament House in Canberra, he called for a diplomatic solution to the ongoing conflict between the United States, Israel, and Iran. Pistorius stated that Germany is ready to assist in peace efforts and emphasized that the economic impact of the conflict has already become evident within just over two weeks.

He clarified that Germany had not been consulted before the conflict began and stressed that it is not Germany’s war, expressing a desire to avoid involvement. Pistorius urged both the United States and Iran to stop the fighting and killing, calling for an immediate ceasefire. He added that once a ceasefire is achieved, Germany would discuss operations to ensure freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.

The statement comes amid reports that prolonged conflict could worsen energy shortages and instability in Asia, while global gold prices have declined and Australia has imposed restrictions on Iranian tourists.

Iran has claimed responsibility for a series of missile attacks targeting Israeli cities and US military bases across the Middle East. In a statement released on the 26th day of the ongoing war, Iran’s military listed operations that allegedly struck Israel’s satellite stations and several US bases, including Jordan’s Al Azraq, Bahrain’s Sheikh Isa, and Kuwait’s Ali Al Salem and Arifjan bases. The statement also claimed that missiles hit more than 70 locations in Israel, including Haifa and Dimona, and that a US F-18 aircraft was struck in Chabahar.

According to the same statement, US forces in Erbil, Iraq, were also targeted, and the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier was forced to change position after a missile strike. However, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) denied Iran’s claims, stating that none of its aircraft had been hit. The report was sourced from Al Jazeera.

The developments mark a significant escalation in the regional conflict, with both sides issuing conflicting accounts of the attacks and their impact.

Chinese President Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory message to Bangladesh’s President Md. Sahabuddin Chuppu on Thursday, March 26, marking the country’s 55th Independence Day. In his message, Xi described China and Bangladesh as good neighbors, friends, and partners, emphasizing mutual respect, equality, and cooperation between the two nations.

Xi stated that China attaches great importance to the development of China-Bangladesh relations and expressed readiness to deepen political mutual trust with President Chuppu. He also highlighted the goal of advancing traditional friendship, promoting high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, and enhancing exchanges across various sectors to strengthen the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership between the two countries.

On the same day, Chinese Premier Li Qiang sent a congratulatory message to Bangladesh’s Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi extended greetings to Bangladesh’s Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman on the anniversary occasion.

Iran has rejected a United States proposal for a ceasefire in the Middle East and declared that it has no plans to hold talks with Washington. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on state television that his government has not participated in any discussions to end the conflict and will not do so, describing any talk of negotiations as an admission of defeat.

According to an Associated Press report, Iran dismissed the US ceasefire proposal and instead presented its own conditions for ending the war. Meanwhile, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that discussions between the two countries are ongoing and productive, despite Iranian officials denying any such engagement. Leavitt also warned that if talks fail, President Donald Trump would ensure a stronger response against Iran.

The report added that NATO has not provided assistance on the Iran issue, while analysts warned that a prolonged conflict could increase energy shortages and instability across Asia.

Lebanon’s armed group Hezbollah has claimed responsibility for a missile attack targeting the Israeli army headquarters in Tel Aviv. According to the group, the strikes hit the Kirya complex in central Tel Aviv, which houses the Israeli military’s main command, and another facility belonging to Israel’s military intelligence agency in the city’s north. The incident reportedly occurred on March 26, 2026.

The Kirya area serves as the central hub for Israel’s defense operations and several government activities. Despite Hezbollah’s announcement, Israeli authorities have not issued any immediate comment or confirmation regarding the alleged attack. The report was carried by Al Jazeera and cited by the outlet Amar Desh.

The absence of an official Israeli response leaves uncertainty about the extent of the damage or casualties, if any, resulting from the claimed missile strikes.

Dr. Zubaida Rahman, spouse of Bangladesh Prime Minister Tareque Rahman and a noted cardiologist, visited Washington, D.C. on an official trip to attend the “Fostering the Future Together: Global Coalition Summit.” The event, held on March 24–25, 2026, was hosted by U.S. First Lady Melania Trump and brought together spouses of heads of state and first ladies from over forty-five countries to discuss global child welfare and development. Zubaida Rahman emphasized Bangladesh’s commitment to ensuring accessible and quality healthcare for every child.

During the summit, Melania Trump welcomed all delegates at the White House and called for collective efforts to build a safer future for children. Dr. Rahman held a courtesy meeting with Melania Trump, expressing gratitude for organizing the event and agreeing to collaborate on child welfare initiatives. She also met with other first ladies and spouses of world leaders and participated in the closing session and reception.

The summit also featured an exhibition by eleven leading U.S. technology firms showcasing innovations in education technology, which Dr. Rahman and her delegation visited.

Iranian military adviser and former Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps commander Mohsen Rezaei said that Iran is waiting for US troops in the region. He made the statement on Wednesday in a post on social media platform X, questioning the effectiveness of the US Air Force and suggesting that American soldiers should reconsider fighting for Israel.

The comment comes after the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in a joint US-Israeli attack on February 28, the day the Middle East war began. His son, Mojtaba Khamenei, has since become the new Supreme Leader and appointed Rezaei as his military adviser. Meanwhile, the United States is preparing to deploy more than 1,000 additional troops to the Middle East, signaling possible ground operations if needed.

US President Donald Trump has claimed that “very good” discussions are ongoing with Tehran to end the war, though NATO has not provided assistance on the Iran issue.