Iran’s new supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei has instructed officials appointed by his late father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, to remain in their posts. In a message broadcast on March 12 by state television, he stated that no reappointments are necessary and that all current officials should continue their duties according to the directives issued during his father’s lifetime. Mojtaba Khamenei was chosen as his father’s successor on March 8 but has not yet appeared publicly, and no photos or videos of him have been released. The message aired on state TV marked his first public communication since assuming the role. Meanwhile, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth claimed on March 13, without evidence, that Khamenei had been injured in an airstrike on Tehran. In contrast, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian’s son, Yousef Pezeshkian, confirmed on March 11 that the supreme leader was safe and unharmed. The contrasting statements highlight uncertainty surrounding Khamenei’s condition and visibility as he begins his leadership amid regional tensions.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian declared that Iran has not initiated war with the United States or Israel and that defending against aggression is Tehran’s legitimate right. Writing on X, he urged an end to attempts to disrupt Iran’s relations with neighboring countries through the use of American bases. Pezeshkian said he discussed the matter with French President Emmanuel Macron by phone. He emphasized that ignoring Zionist-American aggression would make regional peace and stability impossible, asserting that the Islamic Republic of Iran will not surrender to oppressors. Pezeshkian expressed hope that the global community would condemn such aggression and compel the attackers to respect international law. He described entering wars based on misinformation as a “medieval act in the 21st century.” Pezeshkian added that talk of ending the war would only be meaningful once Iran could be assured that no further attacks would occur on its territory.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced that Germany will not take part militarily in the ongoing war involving the United States, Israel, and Iran. Speaking at a press conference in Berlin, Merz said that under Germany’s constitutional framework, there is no authorization from the United Nations, the European Union, or NATO to participate in such a conflict. He emphasized that it was clear from the beginning that this war was not a NATO matter. Merz added that the United States and Israel did not consult Germany before starting the war, and there was never any joint decision on whether to take military action against Iran. He questioned how Germany could be militarily involved under such circumstances. Analysts cited in the report noted that Germany’s stance highlights divisions among Europe’s major powers over the war and could prompt new diplomatic discussions about the Middle East conflict.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has issued a new warning targeting US-linked industrial facilities across the Middle East. According to a statement published by Iran’s state-run Tasnim News Agency, the IRGC said attacks could occur within hours and urged employees and nearby residents to leave the areas immediately. The group’s spokesperson cautioned the United States to evacuate all American industrial sites in the region and advised civilians near facilities with American ownership to move away to avoid harm. The IRGC did not specify which facilities might be targeted. However, Tasnim News Agency had earlier released a list of potential targets on its Telegram channel, naming offices of major technology companies such as Amazon, Google, Microsoft, and Nvidia located in Gulf countries. Analysts cited in the report suggested that the warning could heighten existing tensions in the Middle East and raise new security concerns for multinational corporations operating in the region. The report, sourced from Al Jazeera, indicates growing uncertainty over the safety of US-affiliated businesses amid escalating regional instability.

Oil exports from the Middle East have fallen by at least 60 percent due to disruptions and heightened tensions stemming from the ongoing war involving Iran, the United States, and Israel. The near-closure of the Hormuz Strait has forced many exporting nations to cancel shipping plans and suspend production at several oil fields, creating one of the largest supply disruptions in history. Crude oil prices have surged to their highest level in four years. According to data from analytics firm Kpler, as of March 15, average daily exports of crude oil, condensate, and refined products from eight Middle Eastern countries — Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Iran, Iraq, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain, and the United Arab Emirates — dropped to 9.71 million barrels, down from 25.13 million barrels in February. Kpler analyst Johannes Raubal reported that floating crude inventories in the region exceeded 50 million barrels this week, compared to about 10 million barrels before the conflict began. Analysts warn that if the Hormuz Strait disruption persists, global energy markets could face further instability and oil-importing nations may experience additional price increases.

A projectile strike in the northern Israeli city of Nahariya caused a building to catch fire, injuring at least three people, according to Israeli media reports on March 17, 2026. Medical sources cited by local outlets said the fire spread through the building and damaged several nearby structures. Earlier, Hezbollah had claimed responsibility for launching rocket and drone attacks targeting Nahariya. The incident occurred amid heightened regional tensions following the outbreak of war between Iran and the United States. Reports also stated that at least 12 people have been killed in Israel so far by Iranian missile attacks since the conflict began on February 28, when Iran initiated hostilities against the United States.

U.S. President Donald Trump has warned that NATO’s future would be in serious jeopardy if American allies do not assist in reopening the Strait of Hormuz, which he said has been effectively closed by Iran amid the ongoing Middle East conflict. Speaking to the Financial Times on Sunday, Trump urged European nations to contribute to the effort as the United States did for Ukraine in its war with Russia. He noted that the closure has sharply increased global energy prices. Trump reiterated his long-standing criticism that NATO members rely too heavily on U.S. support. He also said his planned summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing might be delayed due to pressure on China to help resolve the crisis. According to Trump, the United States is in talks with about seven countries to secure assistance, including minesweeper ships and personnel capable of countering hostile forces near Iran’s coast. The uncertainty surrounding the Iran conflict has driven oil market volatility, with crude prices rising sharply over the past two weeks.

The central Jubo Dal has suspended Md. Ataur Rahman Roman, convener of Bakerganj municipal Jubo Dal in Barishal, from all party positions, including his primary membership. The decision was announced on Monday, March 16, 2026, through a letter signed by Minhazul Islam Bhuiyan, the central Jubo Dal’s assistant office secretary, citing clear allegations of activities contrary to party discipline. The suspension letter, verified and posted on the central Jubo Dal’s official Facebook page, confirmed that Roman was accused of engaging in actions inconsistent with the party’s principles and ideals. Bakerganj upazila Jubo Dal convener Enayet Hossain Khan Bipu acknowledged the authenticity of the suspension. The order was approved and implemented by the Jubo Dal central executive committee’s president Abdul Monayem Munna and general secretary Mohammad Nurul Islam Noyon MP. The decision underscores the Jubo Dal’s stated commitment to maintaining internal discipline and adherence to organizational principles within its regional units.

State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism M Rashiduzzaman Millat announced that all existing canals will be re-excavated and new ones dug to address water shortages and improve irrigation. He said the initiative will enhance water drainage, increase agricultural production, and reduce waterlogging. The announcement came on Monday, March 16, during the inauguration of a canal excavation program at the Polisha Bottola Government Primary School field in Madarganj upazila of Jamalpur. The event was organized by the upazila administration and the Department of Disaster Management. Before the ceremony, the minister unveiled the foundation plaque for the Polisha canal excavation and formally launched the work. The program was chaired by Jamalpur Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Yusuf Ali and conducted by Upazila Nirbahi Officer Suman Chowdhury. Jamalpur-3 Member of Parliament Mostafizur Rahman Babul attended as a special guest. Officials from the Disaster Management and Relief Ministry, local administration, police, and political representatives were also present, reflecting broad local participation in the initiative.

Dr. Tasnim Jara stated on Monday afternoon through a Facebook post that she is alive and well after her LinkedIn account was mistakenly marked as 'memorialized' earlier in the day. The incident led to widespread comments and confusion across social media platforms. In her post, Jara explained that the issue may have resulted from either an error or a malicious report against her account. She confirmed that she has already contacted LinkedIn to resolve the matter and expressed hope that the problem will be fixed soon. The situation drew attention online as users reacted to the unexpected memorialization of her professional profile, prompting Jara to publicly clarify her status and reassure followers of her wellbeing.

State Minister for Disaster Management and Relief M Iqbal Hossain emphasized that canal excavation is essential for increasing agricultural production. Speaking on Monday in Gauripur, Mymensingh, he inaugurated the re-excavation of the 'Bolar Beel' canal and said that dredging rivers, canals, and wetlands would help remove waterlogging, improve irrigation facilities, and protect the environment and biodiversity. He noted that re-excavating the approximately five-kilometer-long Bolar Beel canal would enhance water drainage during the monsoon season and have a positive impact on farming activities. The event was attended by Mymensingh Deputy Commissioner Md Saifur Rahman, Gauripur Upazila Nirbahi Officer Papia Amin Pappa, Assistant Commissioner (Land) Sunanda Sarkar Proma, Additional Superintendent of Police (Gauripur Circle) Deba Shish Karmakar, and several local political leaders. The initiative highlights the government’s focus on improving agricultural infrastructure and addressing water management challenges in rural areas through canal re-excavation projects.

The United Arab Emirates’ Ministry of Defense has reported that seven people have been killed and 145 injured since the start of its war with Iran. The ministry released the updated figures in a recent statement, according to Al Jazeera. It also confirmed that Emirati forces intercepted six ballistic missiles and 21 drones on the day of the announcement. According to the ministry’s post on social media platform X, since the conflict began on February 28, the UAE has intercepted a total of 304 ballistic missiles, 15 cruise missiles, and 1,627 drones. The update reflects the continuing intensity of hostilities between the UAE and Iran. The report underscores the scale of ongoing military engagements and the UAE’s defensive operations amid the conflict, though no further details on the broader situation or diplomatic developments were provided.

A building in the northern region of the United Arab Emirates caught fire after being hit by an Iranian drone on Monday, according to Emirati authorities. The incident occurred on March 16, 2026, and was confirmed by the Umm Al-Quwain government’s media office, which stated that the drone strike caused a blaze but no injuries or deaths were reported. The official WAM news agency released the statement but did not identify the affected building. The attack was part of a wider series of Iranian strikes across the UAE on the same day. Earlier, drone and missile attacks disrupted operations at Dubai International Airport for several hours and targeted an oil facility, resulting in the death of one civilian. The events mark a significant escalation in regional tensions, with multiple sites across the country reportedly affected. Authorities have not disclosed further details about the extent of the damage or potential security responses following the attacks.

US Senator Chris Murphy has said that President Donald Trump has lost control over the ongoing war with Iran. In a series of posts on social media platform X, the Democratic senator warned that the conflict initiated by the United States and Israel has pushed the Middle East into a rapidly worsening crisis. Murphy stated that the war has already trapped the region in a cycle of violence and that Trump misjudged Iran’s capacity to retaliate. He described the situation as one where the entire region is now burning. The senator also pointed to the Strait of Hormuz as the first major flashpoint, noting that it is a narrow waterway through which more than 20 percent of the world’s oil and gas supply passes. The report also mentioned related developments, including a drone attack on the US embassy in Baghdad, an airstrike by Pakistan in Afghanistan that killed 400 people, and the deaths of 13 US soldiers with 200 injured in the Iran conflict.

Israel announced that the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt will reopen on Wednesday. The reopening will occur from both sides of the border but only for limited civilian movement. The crossing had been closed since March 1, when Israel cited security concerns following the launch of joint attacks with the United States on Iran. Before the March closure, the Rafah crossing had reopened in February after being shut for several consecutive months. The crossing serves as a critical route for humanitarian aid deliveries and the transfer of seriously ill patients from Gaza. The decision to reopen the crossing in a restricted manner indicates a cautious approach by Israel amid ongoing regional tensions and security concerns.