State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaid said that Bangladeshi nationals in Iran remain safe despite ongoing attacks involving the United States and Israel in the Middle East. Speaking to reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday, she noted that around two thousand Bangladeshis, including some students, are currently in Iran and that the government is in constant contact with them through the embassy in Tehran.

She emphasized that the government is prioritizing the safety of Bangladeshis across the Middle East and that missions are operating around the clock to monitor their situation. The minister assured that if any citizen wishes to return due to security concerns, the government will take necessary steps to facilitate their repatriation.

Shama Obaid added that 186 Bangladeshis had already been brought back from Tehran with the assistance of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) before Eid. She said the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare is working to ensure that those who wish to return can do so smoothly.

Qatar has denied media reports suggesting that the proposed United States–Iran agreement might include the closure of the large US airbase at Al-Udeid in Qatar. A government spokesperson stated that the report was incorrect and that there were no plans to shut down the facility.

According to the spokesperson, the current regional crisis is expected to further strengthen Qatar’s existing partnership with the United States and other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states. The clarification came after speculation circulated in the media about potential changes to US military presence in the region.

The statement underscores Qatar’s continued commitment to its defense and diplomatic ties with the United States and its Gulf partners, countering rumors of any shift in its strategic alignment.

Pakistan’s army leadership has initiated mediation efforts between the United States and Iran amid an ongoing conflict. The White House confirmed that Army Chief Asim Munir spoke by phone with US President Donald Trump on Sunday to discuss ways to end the war that began about a month ago. Diplomatic sources indicated that Washington and Tehran could meet in Islamabad later this week for talks, though neither side has formally agreed to participate.

Following the Trump-Munir call, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif spoke with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Monday, with both leaders agreeing on the need to reduce tensions and pursue diplomatic solutions. Reports suggest Trump’s Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff is preparing to visit Islamabad, while Iran’s parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf may lead Tehran’s delegation, though he has dismissed reports of such talks as false.

Iranian diplomatic sources expressed deep mistrust toward Washington, rejecting any negotiations involving Witkoff or Jared Kushner. Tehran views recent US overtures as deceptive, especially after the joint US-Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28, which undermined earlier dialogue efforts.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has issued a warning of potential attacks on Israeli positions in the Gaza Strip. In a statement released on March 24, 2026, the IRGC accused Israel of exceeding all limits in what it described as acts of genocide, declaring that such actions could no longer be tolerated.

The statement further cautioned that if crimes against Lebanese and Palestinian civilians continue, Iran would launch heavy missile and drone strikes on enemy gathering sites in occupied northern Palestine and the Gaza Strip. The warning was framed as a direct message to the Israeli military, signaling heightened tensions in the region.

The IRGC’s declaration underscores escalating rhetoric amid ongoing violence in Gaza and neighboring areas, though no immediate timeline or operational details were provided in the statement.

Two Russian Navy ships, Rezki and Sovershenny, arrived at Chattogram Port on Tuesday for a four-day goodwill visit to Bangladesh. Upon arrival, the Chief Staff Officer of the Commander of Chattogram Naval Area welcomed the ships’ captains, officers, and sailors. The Russian Deputy Ambassador to Bangladesh, along with military, air, and naval attachés and senior local naval officials, were also present at the reception.

Earlier, as the vessels entered Bangladesh’s territorial waters, the Bangladesh Navy ship BNS Omar Faruq formally greeted them. Both sides expressed hope that the visit would enhance professional exchanges and strengthen mutual relations between the two navies, further deepening the existing friendly bilateral ties between Bangladesh and Russia.

The Russian Navy ships are scheduled to leave Bangladesh’s territorial waters on March 27, marking the conclusion of the goodwill mission.

Iran has declared that it will not engage in any ceasefire discussions as long as airstrikes continue. The statement comes amid reports that the United States had proposed talks, which Tehran has denied. The situation is described as highly complex, with deep-rooted mistrust between the two countries making direct dialogue difficult.

According to the report, Iran had participated in negotiations twice over the past year, but both times airstrikes were carried out against it during the talks. These experiences have made diplomatic engagement even more challenging for Tehran. The country has now set a clear precondition for any future discussions: airstrikes must stop before any ceasefire talks can take place.

This stance underscores the growing strain in Iran–US relations and signals that progress toward de-escalation will remain stalled unless military actions cease.

Amid ongoing Middle East tensions, Iran has warned that any attack on its power plants would trigger retaliatory strikes on critical infrastructure in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. Analysts suggest that such threats could most severely affect major cities across the Gulf, where electricity networks are deeply interconnected.

The GCC’s shared power grid means that a major outage in one country could quickly spread to others. Experts identify this interdependence as a key weakness. In nations such as Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Kuwait, electricity is vital not only for households but also for industry, transport, and security systems. Another major risk lies in water supply, as most potable water in the region comes from desalination plants linked to power stations. Any disruption could therefore threaten both electricity and water, potentially triggering a humanitarian crisis.

Analysts interpret Iran’s warning as a strategic signal to the United States and its allies, emphasizing that escalating conflict would impose costs across the entire region.

Bahrain has submitted a draft resolution to the United Nations Security Council seeking authorization for countries to take measures to protect the Strait of Hormuz and commercial maritime navigation. The proposal, presented on March 23, calls for voluntary multinational or individual naval actions to safeguard shipping and prevent any obstruction in the strategic waterway. It also includes provisions for possible sanctions and other measures.

According to diplomats, the draft has received support from other Gulf Arab states and the United States, but its approval may face challenges due to the veto powers of Russia and China. Bahrain’s proposal identifies Iran’s actions as a threat to international peace and security and urges Tehran to stop obstructing legitimate commercial navigation in the strait.

On the same day, France introduced an alternative draft resolution emphasizing dialogue, suggesting differing approaches among Security Council members to address tensions in the region.

Iran has denied reports of any talks with the United States and declared that it will continue fighting until achieving what it calls 'complete victory.' The statement came from the country’s top military command on Monday, according to Iran’s state television, quoting Major General Ali Abdollahi Aliabadi of the Khatam-al Anbia Central Headquarters. He said Iran’s armed forces remain proud, victorious, and steadfast in defending the nation’s integrity.

The declaration followed US President Donald Trump’s claim that discussions were underway between Tehran and Washington. Iran has consistently denied engaging in any negotiations with the United States, though its foreign minister continues to maintain contact with counterparts in other regional countries. General Aliabadi did not clarify what 'complete victory' specifically means, but the statement is seen as a warning against making concessions in any potential talks.

Earlier, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that the ongoing war could only end if Iran received assurances that no further attacks would be carried out against it, according to the Associated Press.

Iran has issued a strong warning to the United States, saying that any attack on its energy facilities will lead to US forces being rendered inoperative. Senior Iranian military official Mohsen Rezaei, a member of the Expediency Discernment Council, made the statement on Tuesday, March 24, following threats from former US President Donald Trump to strike Iran’s energy and power infrastructure. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) also warned that American ships in the Arabian Gulf would be sunk if such attacks occur.

According to Iranian media, the country’s energy infrastructure has already suffered damage from strikes by the United States and Israel. Tehran claimed that these attacks took place only hours after Trump withdrew his earlier threat to target Iran’s power facilities. Iran’s Fars News Agency reported that the US targeted a gas administration building and a gas pressure control station on Kaveh Street in Isfahan.

The exchange of threats underscores escalating tensions between Iran and the United States, with both sides accusing each other of aggression in the region.

China is conducting extensive undersea mapping and monitoring operations across the Pacific, Indian, and Arctic Oceans, according to a Reuters analysis. The Ocean University of China’s research vessel Dong Fang Hong 3 has repeatedly operated near Taiwan, Guam, and strategic areas of the Indian Ocean between 2024 and 2025. The vessel, officially described as conducting soil and climate research, has also been involved in deep-sea mapping and testing underwater sensors capable of detecting submerged objects.

Naval experts and U.S. officials cited in the report say the collected seabed data could significantly enhance China’s submarine warfare capabilities by improving navigation, detection, and deployment strategies. The mapping activity is concentrated near U.S. military bases in the Philippines, Guam, and Hawaii. Analysts describe the initiative as part of China’s “civil-military fusion,” combining civilian research with military applications.

The project, referred to by Chinese researchers as the “Transparent Ocean,” aims to provide real-time information on underwater conditions. Experts warn that this growing network of vessels and sensors could give China a strategic advantage in submarine operations and pose new challenges for the U.S. Navy.

A gas pipeline connected to a power plant in Khorramshahr, a city in southwestern Iran, was targeted in an attack reportedly carried out by US and Israeli forces. The incident occurred on March 24, 2026, but local authorities confirmed that the plant’s operations were not disrupted and no casualties were reported. The semi-official Fars News Agency verified the information.

According to the governor of Khorramshahr, a projectile struck the outer section of the gas pipeline processing station at the facility. Immediate preventive measures were taken following the strike, which helped avoid major damage. The power plant continues to operate normally, and electricity supply to local residents remains unaffected.

The report did not mention any further military or political response following the attack, and the extent of material damage beyond the initial impact remains unspecified.

Iran has reportedly launched missiles toward Israel in what it described as a symbolic gesture to honor the victims of the U.S. atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki during World War II. Images of the launch circulated on social media platforms including X and Telegram. Iranian officials said the action was intended both as a tribute to the historical tragedy and as a protest against current global power politics.

According to various sources, the missiles were directed toward Israel, prompting alerts in Tel Aviv and nearby areas, with reports of some structural damage. Analysts noted that while Iran framed the move as symbolic, it also demonstrated regional power projection. Experts warned that invoking a historical tragedy to justify a military act could heighten diplomatic sensitivities and influence global perceptions of power dynamics.

Observers suggested that the incident may further complicate regional relations and signal Iran’s intent to assert its position in ongoing geopolitical tensions.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly called U.S. President Donald Trump 48 hours before the attack on Iran to discuss launching a complex and distant war. According to sources familiar with the call, Netanyahu persuaded Trump by highlighting an opportunity to kill Iran’s then–Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was expected to meet his top aides in Tehran. The conversation, previously undisclosed, took place as intelligence indicated the meeting had been rescheduled to an earlier time.

Sources said Netanyahu had long pushed for such an operation and argued that eliminating Khamenei would avenge Iran’s earlier assassination plots against Trump. During the call, Trump appeared positive about a military strike but had not yet decided when or under what conditions the U.S. would directly engage. The U.S. military subsequently increased its regional presence, and officials believed a decision was imminent.

The call reportedly influenced Trump’s February 27 decision to authorize “Operation Epic Fury.” The first bombs struck on February 28, and Trump later announced Khamenei’s death. A White House spokesperson said the operation aimed to destroy Iran’s missile capabilities and prevent it from acquiring nuclear weapons.

Bangladesh has called for stronger global initiatives to eradicate racism, establish equality, and uphold human dignity. Foreign Minister Dr. Khalilur Rahman made the appeal at a commemorative meeting of the United Nations General Assembly marking the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. The statement was released by Bangladesh’s Permanent Mission in New York on March 24, 2026.

During the meeting, Dr. Rahman reaffirmed Bangladesh’s commitment to international conventions against racial and ethnic discrimination. Referring to ongoing persecution in Rakhine and Gaza, he noted that the international community remains far from achieving the goals of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action. He also expressed concern over the exploitation and limited access to justice faced by migrant workers worldwide, calling such conditions contrary to the UN’s core principles.

Highlighting Bangladesh’s constitutional pledge to protect human rights, equality, and dignity, the minister said the country is working to build an inclusive society and strengthen human rights institutions. He emphasized the need for greater investment in education, prevention of online hate speech, and promotion of intercultural dialogue to create a world free from racism.