Most Americans oppose a U.S. military strike on Iran, according to several recent surveys reported by Al Jazeera. A Reuters/Ipsos poll found that 43 percent of respondents opposed such an attack, while only about one-quarter supported a joint U.S.-Israel operation. The survey, conducted over the weekend, included more than 1,200 American adults.

A separate CNN-commissioned SSRS poll, conducted between February 28 and March 1, showed even stronger opposition, with about six in ten Americans rejecting military action against Iran. In that poll, 41 percent supported the move. Around 60 percent of respondents said President Donald Trump lacked a clear plan for handling the Iran situation, and 39 percent believed the U.S. had not pursued sufficient diplomatic efforts before considering force.

Both polls revealed sharp political divisions: 82 percent of Democrats and 68 percent of independents opposed the strike, compared with only 23 percent of Republicans expressing opposition.

Six days after the joint Israel–United States attack on Iran, uncertainty persists over why President Donald Trump initiated the war and what he aims to achieve. Initially, Trump and his administration said the goal was to destroy Iran’s nuclear program. Vice President JD Vance stated that the U.S. would ensure Iran never acquires nuclear weapons. Later, Trump shifted his reasoning, citing regime change and the elimination of Iran’s missile and proxy capabilities as objectives.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth contradicted Trump by saying regime change was not the U.S. goal, though he acknowledged leadership changes in Iran. Secretary of State Marco Rubio added that the U.S. acted preemptively, fearing Iranian retaliation after an Israeli strike. The lack of a clear post-war plan has drawn sharp criticism in Congress. Most Republicans support Trump, while Democrats argue he has no concrete strategy and warn of a prolonged conflict.

Democratic lawmakers, including Adam Smith and Elizabeth Warren, questioned the legality and intelligence basis of the attack, calling it unconstitutional and dangerous. They also raised concerns about Israeli influence and the absence of congressional authorization for war.

Analysts have questioned the Trump administration’s belief that military attacks could topple Iran’s ruling establishment. According to Al Jazeera, Maha Yahya, director of the Malcolm H. Kerr Carnegie Middle East Center, said there is no organized opposition group in Iran capable of taking control of the state. She warned that power could instead fragment among various ethnic, political, and social groups.

Yahya noted that the only declared opposition leader is the son of former Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, who lives abroad. She dismissed the idea of a Kurdish-led uprising as unrealistic. In her assessment, Iran is more likely to face internal discord and instability in the coming days.

Yahya added that even if the fighting stopped immediately, Iran’s internal situation would remain fragile, and the post-conflict government in Tehran might intensify repression against dissenters.

Ali Larijani, head of Iran’s National Security Council, issued a stern warning to U.S. President Donald Trump following the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. In a post on social media platform X on Wednesday, Larijani said the assassination would exact a heavy price from the United States.

Larijani accused Trump of being lured by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s actions and dragging the American people into what he called an unjust war against Iran. He questioned whether Trump’s “America First” policy still stood or had shifted to “Israel First.”

According to the report, the killing occurred on February 28, when the United States and Israel launched widespread attacks across Iran. The incident has sharply escalated tensions between Tehran and Washington.

The Bangladesh government has transferred three senior army officers to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on deputation for appointment as ambassadors. The decision was formalized through separate notifications issued by the Ministry of Public Administration on Wednesday. The officers are Lieutenant General S M Kamrul Hasan, former Principal Staff Officer of the Armed Forces Division; Major General Md Jahangir Alam, former Director General of the Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI); and Major General Md Nasim Parvez, former Commandant of the Military Institute of Science and Technology (MIST).

The move follows a recent reshuffle in several key positions within the Bangladesh Army, after which new officers were appointed to replace the three officials now assigned to the Foreign Ministry. The government’s decision reflects an ongoing pattern of appointing senior military officials to diplomatic roles, aligning defense experience with foreign service responsibilities.

Further details regarding their specific ambassadorial postings or timelines were not disclosed in the official notifications.

Bangladesh’s Foreign Minister Dr. Khalilur Rahman has warned that a prolonged conflict in the Middle East could place significant pressure on Bangladesh’s economy. Speaking to reporters after a meeting with U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Paul Kapur on Wednesday, March 4, he said Dhaka had urged Washington to pursue a diplomatic solution to the crisis as quickly as possible.

The minister said two Bangladeshi nationals had been killed and seven injured in the conflict, adding that an extended or expanded war could worsen the situation. He emphasized that countries like Bangladesh would find it difficult to bear the economic consequences of such a prolonged conflict. The discussion also covered trade issues, the repatriation of undocumented Bangladeshis from the United States, and bilateral relations, which both sides described as positive and expected to strengthen further.

Rahman added that Bangladesh and the United States reached agreement on the Rohingya issue during the talks, reaffirming Dhaka’s commitment to conduct foreign policy based on national interest while maintaining balanced relations with all countries.

National Citizen Party (NCP) spokesperson and former adviser Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan disclosed details of his and his family’s bank accounts at a press conference held Wednesday night at the party’s temporary central office in Banglamotor, Dhaka. He stated that he has two accounts totaling Tk 988,000, while his father has five accounts with Tk 547,711 combined, along with an outstanding service loan of Tk 629,746. His mother and wife hold smaller balances. Mahmud said all his income came through the government’s iBAS++ system during his 16-month tenure as an interim government adviser.

He revealed that the Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU) had sought information on his accounts among 56 individuals, but only his details were publicized. Mahmud alleged that a specific group was spreading propaganda against him after reports surfaced about his possible candidacy for Dhaka South City Corporation mayor. He described the disclosure of confidential letters to journalists as deliberate and politically motivated.

Mahmud also addressed corruption allegations and clarified that claims of a Tk 1,000 crore scandal were baseless. He urged the media to ensure objectivity and transparency in reporting.

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated that China and Russia are not influencers in the ongoing Iran war. Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, he clarified that he has no message for either country, noting that both have long-standing diplomatic and trade relations with Iran. Hegseth emphasized that the United States’ focus remains solely on ending Iran’s nuclear ambitions.

The remarks come amid heightened tensions involving Iran, with regional developments drawing global attention. Hegseth’s comments sought to distance China and Russia from direct involvement in the conflict, underscoring Washington’s position that its dispute lies only with Tehran.

The statement suggests that the US aims to concentrate its diplomatic and strategic efforts on Iran’s nuclear program rather than broadening the conflict to other major powers.

NCP convener and opposition chief whip Md. Nahid Islam has warned that Bangladesh may again face the threat of one-party authoritarian rule. Speaking on Wednesday at the Sylhet divisional iftar and prayer gathering of the National Citizen Party (NCP) at Hill View Convention Center, he accused the administration and institutions of being politicized.

Citing examples such as appointments at Bangladesh Bank, the Anti-Corruption Commission, and BSS, Nahid Islam said the country must prepare for another struggle but avoid past mistakes. He reflected on earlier mass uprisings, saying that errors made after those movements had led to the current national situation.

The event was attended by senior NCP leaders including Sarjis Alam, Nasiruddin Patwari, Advocate Tarikul Islam, and Abu Bakr Majumdar, as well as representatives from the BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami, and other parties of the eleven-party alliance.

The Cabinet Division of Bangladesh has issued a new circular mandating all government, semi-government, autonomous, and semi-autonomous employees to remain in their respective offices from 9:00 a.m. to 9:40 a.m. The circular, signed by Cabinet Secretary Nasimul Gani, was released on Wednesday and aims to ensure public service efficiency and discipline in official work. Offices are instructed to schedule other programs so that this mandatory attendance period is not disrupted.

According to the circular, the rule will not apply to teachers and faculty members of educational or training institutions who do not hold administrative responsibilities. It will also be exempt for those performing roster duties in hospitals, prisons, media organizations, or security-related institutions. Additionally, personnel directly engaged in emergency public services and law enforcement officers working in the field are excluded from the requirement.

The circular further states that employees cannot leave their workplaces during office hours without permission, except for VIP protocol duties, major emergencies, important meetings with development partners or diplomatic missions, or approved official travel. The directive takes immediate effect.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has urged the country to remain calm and act with clarity and purpose amid the ongoing conflict involving Iran, Israel, and the United States. Speaking in Parliament on March 4, 2026, he emphasized the need for measured and transparent decision-making during the escalating regional tensions.

Starmer stated that the United Kingdom is maintaining close coordination with the United States regarding the deployment of military assets in the region. These include air defense systems, drone-interception measures, and F-35 fighter jets. His remarks came as part of the government’s response to the growing instability in the Middle East.

The statement reflects the UK’s cautious approach to the conflict, focusing on strategic cooperation with allies while avoiding rash actions that could further inflame the situation.

The Bangladesh government is preparing to extend the upcoming Eid-ul-Fitr holidays by one additional day to ease public travel before the festival. According to official sources, March 18 may be declared a public holiday through an executive order, making March 16 the final working day for government employees before the Eid break. The proposal is expected to be approved at the next cabinet meeting.

The official holiday list already includes March 19 to 23 for Eid-ul-Fitr, and March 17 is a public holiday for Shab-e-Qadr. If March 18 is confirmed as an additional holiday, government employees will enjoy a continuous seven-day break from March 17 to 23. Offices will reopen on March 24 and 25, followed by another general holiday on March 26 for Independence Day.

With the weekly holidays on March 27 and 28, government officials will effectively have another three consecutive days off after the Eid holidays, extending the overall period of leave for many employees.

Opposition Chief Whip and NCP convener Nahid Islam announced that he will raise questions in the national parliament regarding alleged politicization across six city corporations and various government offices. Speaking as the chief guest at the party’s divisional iftar gathering in Sylhet on March 4, he said the issue would be addressed firmly from a position of parliamentary accountability. He also urged party members to prepare for the upcoming local government elections, emphasizing the need for full organizational strength.

At the same event, NCP’s chief organizer Nasiruddin Patowary vowed not to compromise on justice for the murder of Hadi and called for an end to extortion, terrorism, and corruption. He also criticized partisan appointments in the administration and highlighted the poor condition of the Dhaka–Sylhet highway. Northern organizer Sarjis Alam stated that the party accepted the election results but warned against any manipulation in future local polls, threatening strong resistance if such attempts occur.

Central leaders added that if demands for implementing the “July Charter” ordinance and impeaching the president are not met, the party will take to the streets.

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has claimed that Iran’s president attempted to assassinate former President Donald Trump, but Trump managed to overcome the attempt. Speaking at a Pentagon briefing alongside Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Dan Kane, Hegseth said the United States had located and killed the leader of the unit allegedly responsible for the assassination attempt.

According to the report, in 2024, before that year’s presidential election, the US government filed charges against an Afghan national accused of involvement in an alleged Iranian plot to kill Trump. The US Department of Justice stated that 51-year-old Farhad Shakeri had been assigned to develop a plan for Trump’s assassination and was believed to be residing in Iran.

A criminal complaint filed in Manhattan court alleged that an officer of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard instructed Shakeri in September to create a surveillance and assassination plan targeting Trump.

Bangladesh’s Information and Broadcasting Minister, Zahid Uddin Swapon, stated that journalists themselves should determine the boundaries of accountability necessary to ensure maximum media freedom. Speaking as the chief guest at an iftar event organized by the Chittagong Press Club at Chittagong Club on Wednesday evening, he emphasized that the government should not unilaterally set these limits, as doing so would mirror past administrations. He assured that the ministry is prepared to protect media independence from interference by intelligence agencies, state authorities, or external actors.

The minister added that the government currently lacks a clear policy for distributing advertisements or grants to media outlets, which has led to unregulated growth of publications. He mentioned that discussions are ongoing with journalist associations to create a joint roadmap for institutionalizing media freedom. Swapon also said the government would consider implementing the wage board in the future, treating compliant and non-compliant outlets differently.

At the same event, Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists’ Secretary General Kader Gani Chowdhury urged that journalists must remain independent and act as watchdogs to restore public trust.