French energy company TotalEnergies has withdrawn around 1,300 employees from the Middle East as tensions rise between Iran, Israel, and the United States, according to a report by Al Jazeera. The company’s CEO, Patrick Pouyanné, said the workers were relocated from the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Iraq.

Pouyanné explained that only a small number of local employees and contractors remain to maintain essential operations. The decision was made due to the deteriorating security situation in the region, with the company prioritizing the safety of its personnel.

The move underscores growing concerns among international firms operating in the Middle East as the regional conflict intensifies, potentially affecting energy operations and supply stability.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that the killing of Iranian naval commander Alireza Tansiri represents another example of coordination between Israel and the United States. In a video message delivered in Hebrew, Netanyahu said Israel continues to carry out a series of attacks on various targets across Iran.

He added that Tansiri had played a key role in efforts to effectively close the Strait of Hormuz and claimed that the commander had 'a lot of blood on his hands.' The statement underscores Israel’s ongoing military operations targeting Iranian interests and its close security cooperation with the United States.

The remarks come as tensions remain high between Israel and Iran, with continued strikes and mutual accusations shaping the regional security environment.

The United Arab Emirates has claimed that its air defense system intercepted 15 ballistic missiles and 11 drones launched from Iran. The UAE Ministry of Defense announced the interception on Thursday but did not immediately provide details about casualties or damage resulting from the attack.

According to the ministry, since Iran began its attacks on February 28, a total of 372 ballistic missiles, 15 cruise missiles, and 1,826 drones have been intercepted. The UAE authorities also reported that two soldiers and eight civilians from various countries have been killed, while 169 others have been injured during this period.

The report, citing Anadolu as the source, comes amid continued regional tensions and ongoing hostilities between Iran and several neighboring states.

Uganda’s army chief, Muhoozi Kainerugaba, has warned that his country will directly join the war on Israel’s side if Israel faces the risk of defeat. He made the statement amid ongoing tensions between Iran and Israel. In a message posted on X, Kainerugaba said that Uganda wants the Middle East war to end immediately, as the world is weary of the conflict. However, he emphasized that if there is any move to destroy or defeat Israel, Uganda will enter the war in support of Israel.

Kainerugaba is the son of Uganda’s current president, Yoweri Museveni, and is widely regarded as a possible successor. His remarks come at a time of heightened regional tension, with multiple international actors involved in the Iran-Israel confrontation.

The statement signals Uganda’s potential alignment in the Middle East conflict, though no further details were provided about possible military or diplomatic steps.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy commander Alireza Tangsiri has come under renewed discussion after Israel reportedly claimed responsibility for his killing. Tangsiri has led the IRGC Navy since 2018, following his tenure as deputy commander from 2010. His leadership has been marked by strong statements regarding Iran’s maritime sovereignty, particularly in the Strait of Hormuz.

According to Iranian media, a social media account under his name became active on X (formerly Twitter) on March 10 this year, where he made several posts about the Strait of Hormuz. In one post, he asserted that ships linked to aggressors against Iran had no right to pass through the waterway. Tangsiri has long been known for his outspoken stance against the United States and Israel.

In 2019, he warned that Iran could close the Strait of Hormuz if its oil exports were blocked. That same year, after Iran shot down a U.S. surveillance drone near the strait, the U.S. Treasury Department imposed sanctions on Tangsiri and several other IRGC commanders.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has claimed that U.S. President Donald Trump requested Ukraine’s assistance in countering Iranian drones. In an interview with the French newspaper Le Monde, cited by Al Jazeera, Zelensky said Ukrainian experts are already stationed in several Middle Eastern countries, including Saudi Arabia and Qatar, to support related efforts. He noted that Washington is maintaining direct contact with Kyiv to help protect U.S. military bases in the region.

Zelensky explained that Ukraine has become highly skilled in neutralizing Iranian drones due to their frequent use by Russia in the ongoing war. He stated that existing air defense systems in the Middle East, such as Patriot and THAAD, are insufficient to fully repel heavy drone attacks, and discussions are underway to supply specific Ukrainian interceptors to the region. In return, Ukraine has proposed a mutual assistance deal, seeking air defense missiles from Middle Eastern partners to address shortages in Kyiv.

Zelensky added that Ukraine’s defense industry is operating at half capacity due to financial constraints and expressed hope that new military cooperation with Middle Eastern nations would strengthen Ukraine’s defense capabilities.

The US Department of Defense is preparing to send an additional 3,000 troops from the 82nd Airborne Division to the Middle East to intensify ongoing military operations against Iran. The move comes as thousands of US Marines are already advancing toward Iran for special missions, though officials have not confirmed any final decision to enter Iranian territory. Military analysts view this deployment as a major escalation in the Iran-Israel conflict and a possible signal of direct US involvement.

According to US Central Command, since February 28, air and missile strikes have destroyed more than 9,000 Iranian military targets, including missile launch sites, naval facilities, and defense infrastructure. The US currently has about 50,000 troops stationed in the region, and the new deployment suggests Washington may seek control over the Strait of Hormuz. Meanwhile, global oil prices have surged after Iran blocked access to the vital waterway, which handles about one-fifth of the world’s oil supply.

A Reuters/Ipsos poll shows only 35 percent of Americans support the military campaign, while 61 percent oppose it, reflecting growing domestic discontent as President Donald Trump claims peace talks are underway—an assertion Tehran has denied.

On Thursday, March 26, 2026, several countries including China, the United States, India, Russia, the United Kingdom, Pakistan, and Italy sent congratulatory messages to Bangladesh on the occasion of its Independence and National Day. Chinese President Xi Jinping described China and Bangladesh as good neighbors, friends, and partners, expressing commitment to advancing Belt and Road cooperation. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio extended greetings, noting Bangladesh’s new chapter after recent elections and emphasizing shared goals for a free and prosperous Indo-Pacific region.

Russia’s ambassador Alexander Zh. Khokhin praised Bangladesh’s progress since independence and recalled Soviet support in 1972. UK’s King Charles III highlighted mutual respect, Commonwealth ties, and Bangladesh’s leadership on climate action. Pakistan’s foreign ministry expressed wishes for peace and prosperity, while India’s President Droupadi Murmu emphasized shared history and cultural bonds. Italy’s President Sergio Mattarella lauded bilateral cooperation and the contribution of Bangladeshi workers in Italy.

The messages collectively underscored Bangladesh’s growing international partnerships and recognition of its achievements as the nation marked its 55th year of independence.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has confirmed the killing of Alireza Tangsiri, the naval chief of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). In a video message delivered in Hebrew, Netanyahu described the operation as another example of cooperation between Israel and the United States. He also stated that Israel continues to carry out powerful strikes against various Iranian targets.

Earlier, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz claimed that Israeli forces conducted an airstrike that killed Tangsiri. Katz said the IRGC commander had played a key role in creating a blockade in the Strait of Hormuz and in laying mines in the area. Netanyahu publicly endorsed his defense minister’s statements, reinforcing Israel’s official position on the incident.

The report, citing BBC as its source, highlights the ongoing Israeli military actions against Iranian interests and the coordination between Israel and the United States in these operations.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has claimed responsibility for a missile attack on a US F-18 fighter jet near the Chabahar port area in Iran’s southern Sistan-Baluchestan region. The claim was made in an official IRGC statement, according to reports published on March 26, 2026.

BBC Persian reported that several videos circulated in Iranian media showed a US F-18 flying over the area. BBC’s fact-checking team verified that at least one of the videos was filmed near the Tis Bridge in Chabahar. The footage appeared to show a defensive missile strike hitting the aircraft’s tail section, causing an explosion.

However, there was no visual or other evidence confirming that the aircraft was shot down. The US Central Command issued a statement denying that any of its fighter jets had been downed.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that Russia is not preparing to send drones to Iran, dismissing media reports on the matter as false. He made the remarks in response to a journalist’s question, urging people not to pay attention to what he described as widespread misinformation in the media.

Russia and Iran maintain a strategic partnership agreement, and Moscow has consistently condemned U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran. However, there has been no public disclosure of Russia providing weapons or military equipment to Tehran. Some discussions have suggested that Russia may be sharing intelligence with Iran, though this has not been confirmed.

The report also recalls that Iran previously supported Russia during the war in Ukraine, notably through the supply of Iranian-made Shahed drones, which drew international attention.

Iran’s deputy health minister Ali Jafarian told Al Jazeera that the death toll from US and Israeli attacks on Iran has risen to at least 1,937 after 27 days of conflict. Among the dead are 240 women and 212 children. The report, published by Al Jazeera on Thursday, also noted that more than 24,800 people have been injured, including around 4,000 women and 1,621 children.

According to the source, the attacks by the United States and Israel began on February 28. In response, Iran has launched counterstrikes targeting Israeli positions and US bases across several Middle Eastern countries. The ongoing conflict has caused significant civilian casualties and widespread injuries.

The report also mentioned that discussions between the United States and Iran are expected soon, though no further details were provided.

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim announced that, following discussions with Iranian officials, Malaysia’s ships have been granted permission to pass through the Strait of Hormuz. The announcement was made on March 26, 2026, marking Malaysia as the latest country to confirm such access to the strategic waterway.

Anwar stated that, in addition to Iran, he has also held talks with Egypt, Turkey, and other regional countries regarding maritime navigation. Before Malaysia, ships from South Korea, India, China, and Japan had already been allowed to use the same route, indicating a gradual expansion of access among Asian nations.

The development highlights Malaysia’s diplomatic engagement with Middle Eastern partners and its efforts to ensure secure maritime routes for its vessels in a region of significant geopolitical importance.

Iran’s state news agency Tasnim has reported that Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels are prepared to directly join the ongoing war against the United States and Israel. Citing an unnamed informed source, the report said the Houthis, also known as Ansarullah, are ready to take full control of the strategically vital Bab al-Mandab Strait, describing the move as an easy task for them.

According to the report, since October 2023 the Houthis have attacked hundreds of Israeli targets in the Red Sea in protest against Israeli strikes in Gaza, severely disrupting maritime traffic in the region. They have also targeted ships linked to the United States and the United Kingdom, affecting global trade flows. Despite international efforts to stop the attacks, they have continued, prompting Western navies, including the US, to escort commercial vessels through the Red Sea.

Analysts cited in the report noted that if the Houthis seize control of the Bab al-Mandab Strait, it would further constrain Western military and commercial options, as the strait connects the Mediterranean and the Arabian Sea and links Europe with Africa and Asia.

The Bangladesh Embassy in Riyadh has announced that Bangladeshi nationals stranded in Saudi Arabia with expired visit, Umrah, or final exit visas can leave the country without facing fines or legal complications. According to an emergency notice issued on March 25, 2026, those whose visas expired by February 25, 2026, are eligible for this facility if they depart by April 18, 2026.

The embassy stated that eligible individuals can go directly to the airport and leave Saudi Arabia by showing their air tickets, without needing to extend their visas or pay any penalties. The Saudi authorities have granted this temporary opportunity to facilitate the return of those unable to leave earlier due to special circumstances.

The notice also warned that anyone failing to depart by the April 18 deadline may face serious legal consequences, including fines and possible travel bans. The embassy urged all affected Bangladeshis to arrange their tickets and leave the country promptly to avoid future complications.