Iran’s resistance has intensified despite the assassinations of several top leaders in US-Israel attacks, according to a report published on March 19, 2026. Tehran continues to maintain control over the Strait of Hormuz and has carried out strikes on US-allied bases across the Middle East. US Senator Bernie Sanders stated that the war has already cost more than 22 billion dollars. Israel’s health ministry reported that 192 people were hospitalized in the past 24 hours due to Iranian attacks, with a total of 3,727 injured since the conflict began. The United Arab Emirates has been the most affected among Gulf Cooperation Council countries, with Iran launching about 3,000 missiles and drones, more than half targeting Abu Dhabi. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told Al Jazeera that the killings of leaders, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and security chief Ali Larijani, would not weaken Iran’s political structure. He emphasized that Iran’s governance does not depend on any single individual. Al Jazeera analyst Marwan Bishara criticized Israel’s targeted killings as contrary to the rules of war, describing them as a form of terrorism. Araghchi added that the ongoing regional conflict was initiated by the United States, which must bear full responsibility for the resulting humanitarian and financial crises.

Iran has completely stopped exporting gas to Iraq following an Israeli attack on the South Pars gas field, Iraq’s Ministry of Electricity announced. The ministry confirmed that gas imports from Iran, which supply more than one-third of Iraq’s gas and electricity needs, have been suspended since the incident. According to reports, Israel launched an early morning strike on Wednesday targeting the South Pars gas field, the world’s largest natural gas reserve shared by Iran and Qatar. Iran’s Fars News Agency reported that a petrochemical complex at the site caught fire after the attack. The South Pars field is jointly operated by both Iran and Qatar, each managing its own gas facilities within the field. The disruption in gas supply could significantly affect Iraq’s electricity generation, as the country relies heavily on Iranian gas imports to meet domestic energy demand.

Iran carried out a missile attack on Qatar’s Ras Laffan industrial area on Wednesday afternoon, according to the Qatari Ministry of Interior. The ministry reported that the strike caused extensive damage in the zone, which houses the world’s largest liquefied natural gas (LNG) production facility. Prior to this incident, Iran had issued threats to target such installations in Qatar. The attack marks a significant escalation in regional tensions, as Ras Laffan is a critical hub for global energy supply and a key component of Qatar’s economy. The report, citing Al Jazeera, did not provide details on casualties or the extent of the damage beyond the ministry’s statement. The situation remains under observation as regional actors assess the implications of the strike.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has urged a swift end to the ongoing Middle East conflict, warning that a collapse of Iran’s state structure could endanger European security. Speaking in parliament on Wednesday, he said such a scenario would negatively affect Europe’s energy supply and potentially cause a major refugee crisis. Merz emphasized that resolving the conflict quickly is in Europe’s best interest. He revealed that the United States did not consult Germany before initiating the war, adding that Berlin would have advised against it. While acknowledging that Iran has long violated international norms and fueled regional instability, Merz questioned the credibility of U.S. and Israeli military strategies, saying neither had presented a convincing plan for success. He reaffirmed that Germany would not participate in the war as long as it continues. The German government reiterated that NATO has no involvement in the conflict, and other European Union leaders have also signaled their intention to remain distant from it.

Iran’s new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has warned that those responsible for the killing of national security chief Ali Larijani will pay a heavy price. In a statement released Wednesday through Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency, Khamenei described Larijani as an intelligent and committed figure and a prominent personality within the country’s political structure. Khamenei said the assassination of such a figure demonstrates both Larijani’s importance and the hatred he inspired among the enemies of Islam. He declared that every drop of blood shed will be avenged, and that the killers of these martyrs will soon face consequences. According to the report, Larijani and his son were killed Monday night in Tehran in an Israeli attack. In a separate strike the same day, Gholamreza Soleiman, head of Iran’s paramilitary Basij force, was also killed. The statement underscores rising tensions following the attacks.

Three private aircraft were heavily damaged near Israel’s Ben Gurion International Airport after being struck by debris from an intercepted Iranian missile, according to the Israel Airports Authority on Wednesday. The incident occurred over recent days, with one of the planes catching fire following the impact. The report follows escalating regional tensions since February 28, when a joint U.S.-Israel attack on Iran began. Since then, four U.S. military aircraft have been destroyed in the Middle East. Early in the conflict, Kuwaiti security forces mistakenly shot down three U.S. fighter jets, and later a U.S. refueling aircraft crashed in Iraq, according to Al Jazeera. The damage at Ben Gurion Airport underscores the ongoing risks to civilian and military aviation amid the continuing hostilities between Iran, Israel, and their allies.

Five passengers were injured when a bus of Ekushey Paribahan lost control and overturned at Kabirla area in Burichang upazila of Cumilla on the Dhaka-Chattogram highway around 11:20 p.m. on Wednesday. Locals said the seriously injured were taken to Eastern Medical College Hospital. The bus was traveling from Dhaka toward Cumilla at the time of the accident. Kalbela newspaper’s chief reporter, Yusuf Arefin, was among the injured and is currently receiving treatment at Mainamati Cantonment General Hospital. A Chandina Fire Service officer said the bus remained on the road and would be removed using a wrecker. Highway police confirmed that there was no major traffic congestion, except for a brief disruption caused by vehicles entering the wrong lane. Highway Police Superintendent Shahinur Alam stated that the process of removing the overturned bus was underway and would be completed shortly. Police and fire service personnel were present at the scene to manage the situation.

US Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard told the Senate Intelligence Committee on Tuesday that the United States has not observed any effort by Iran to rebuild its nuclear enrichment capacity following the attack in June last year. Her remarks were made during a briefing to lawmakers on recent intelligence assessments. Gabbard stated that Iran and its allied forces remain capable of launching attacks against US and allied interests in the Middle East. She added that if Iran’s leadership survives the ongoing conflict, it may begin a year-long effort to rebuild its missile and drone programs. The information was reported by Al Jazeera. The statement underscores Washington’s continued monitoring of Iran’s military and nuclear activities amid regional tensions, though no immediate reconstruction of enrichment facilities has been detected.

The Bangladesh Meteorological Department has forecast rain, thunderstorms, and possible hail across the country during the upcoming Eid-ul-Fitr, expected to be observed on Friday or Saturday depending on the moon sighting. Meteorologist Dr. Omar Faruq said that rainfall is likely throughout the next five days, with heavier showers expected on Friday and Saturday. However, he noted that continuous rainfall is unlikely, and precipitation will occur intermittently in different regions. According to the department’s latest bulletin, an extension of a low-pressure area lies over West Bengal and adjoining regions, while the seasonal low remains over the South Bay of Bengal. This system may cause temporary cloudy skies, rain, and gusty winds of 40–50 km/h in Dhaka and surrounding areas. The forecast also indicates rain and thunderstorms in all eight divisions, with chances of hail in some places. Meteorologist Dr. Abul Kalam Mallik added that thunderstorm activity may intensify between March 20 and 21. The department advised the public to remain cautious during the storm-prone period.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer and opposition leader Dr. Shafiqur Rahman extended Eid-ul-Fitr greetings to the nation in a statement released on Wednesday. He said the festival arrives as the country celebrates its first national election in a fascism-free environment and the formation of a new government. He expressed hope that citizens would now live without fear or discrimination and that corruption, extortion, and injustice would end. Dr. Rahman emphasized that all political parties had signed the July National Charter 2025, which received nearly 70% approval in a national referendum. He expressed concern over what he described as the government’s reluctance to implement the charter, warning that the public would not tolerate any delay. He called for cooperation between the government and opposition to fulfill the people’s aspirations through swift implementation. He also prayed for those who sacrificed for a fascism-free nation and urged citizens to build a compassionate, united society beyond divisions during the Eid celebrations.

Iran has issued a final warning of large-scale attacks on several key oil and gas installations in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar within the next few hours. Tehran has instructed civilians and workers near these facilities to evacuate immediately, according to reports published on Wednesday, March 18, by Iranian state media. The warning specifically mentioned Saudi Arabia’s Samref Refinery and Jubail Petrochemical Complex, the UAE’s Al Hosn gas field, and Qatar’s Mesaieed Petrochemical Complex, Mesaieed Holding Company, and Ras Laffan Refinery. Iranian media described these sites as direct and legitimate targets, urging all residents and employees to move to safe distances. The report, citing Al Jazeera as a source, signals a potential escalation of regional tensions involving Iran and Gulf states, though no immediate response from the targeted countries was included in the report.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir announced that the party’s council will be held within this year, though no specific date has been set yet. He made the statement during an exchange with journalists at the party chairperson’s office in Gulshan on Wednesday night. The last BNP council took place in 2016. During the discussion, Fakhrul addressed questions about the relationship between the new government and the party, stating that both are functioning separately and that party activities are ongoing. He highlighted the government’s early achievements under Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, including the launch of a family card pilot project, debt relief for farmers, and stipends for religious leaders. He also mentioned that the parliament has begun its work, forming committees and presenting ordinances. Fakhrul identified economic recovery as a major challenge and said the government has started implementing measures to strengthen small businesses and restore financial stability. He added that local government elections will also be held within this year, though the exact timing has not yet been determined.

Qatar has condemned Israel’s attack on a petrochemical complex linked to Iran’s South Pars gas field, calling it a dangerous and irresponsible act amid heightened regional military tensions. The statement came from Majed Al-Ansari, spokesperson for Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, who noted that the South Pars field is an extension of Qatar’s North Field. Al-Ansari warned that targeting energy infrastructure poses a major threat to global energy security, as well as to the people and environment of the region. He emphasized the need to refrain from attacking critical facilities and reiterated Qatar’s consistent call for restraint, adherence to international law, and efforts to reduce tensions for the sake of regional security and stability. The condemnation underscores Qatar’s concern over escalating hostilities in the region and its potential impact on shared energy assets and broader stability.

At an iftar gathering organized by the National Citizen Party (NCP) in Chandpur on Wednesday evening, chief coordinator Nasiruddin Patwari declared that Bangladesh cannot operate under the 1972 constitution, which he described as Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s and similar to India’s. He argued that the constitution enabled what he called a fascist government under Sheikh Hasina and failed to protect citizens during political violence. Patwari stated that the NCP does not support this constitution and called for its replacement. He further claimed that changing the constitution would prevent future authoritarian rule. Patwari accused the Awami League of attempting to rehabilitate itself politically and urged people to resist such efforts. He also warned against illegal contracting activities, urging locals to monitor and report unlicensed contractors to authorities. According to him, irregularities and influence in public works that occurred during Sheikh Hasina’s tenure were still continuing. Leaders from the 11-party alliance, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, and various political groups attended the event, along with NCP’s Chandpur district leaders.

Iran’s military has announced plans for a decisive response following an attack on parts of the country’s energy and power infrastructure in the south. The statement, released through Tasnim, a news agency affiliated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), said that the assault targeted sections of Iran’s energy facilities. According to the military statement, Iran had previously warned that any attack by what it called American-Zionist enemies on its energy, gas, or economic infrastructure would trigger a powerful counterattack. The statement emphasized that Iran now considers the energy and gas infrastructure of the aggressor nations as legitimate targets for retaliation. The declaration signals Tehran’s intent to respond forcefully to the latest strike, framing it as part of a broader confrontation over regional energy and security interests.