Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has announced full readiness for a long-term war amid escalating regional conflict. Spokesperson Brigadier General Ali Mohammad Nayini said Iran is prepared for extended confrontation and will soon deploy advanced weapons not yet used in the conflict. The statement follows continued Iranian missile strikes on Israel, including attacks on Tel Aviv and Ben Gurion Airport, and a reported strike on the Israeli embassy in Bahrain’s capital, Manama. The United States and Israel have maintained heavy bombardments on Iranian targets, destroying missile launchers and defense systems. US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth indicated that the scale of attacks on Iran will increase dramatically, while President Donald Trump ruled out sending ground troops but vowed to continue air operations. Iran’s Red Crescent reported over 1,300 deaths and thousands of damaged civilian structures since the joint assaults began. Meanwhile, Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez condemned the war as a grave mistake. Energy markets reacted sharply, with Qatar’s energy minister warning that oil prices could exceed $150 per barrel, threatening global economic stability.

The Bangladesh Institute of Nuclear Agriculture (BINA) has developed two new Aman rice varieties named 'BINA Dhan-27' and 'BINA Dhan-28', marking a new milestone in the country’s rice research. The varieties were officially approved for nationwide cultivation at the 115th meeting of the National Seed Board held at the Ministry of Agriculture. With these additions, BINA’s total number of developed rice varieties has reached 28. 'BINA Dhan-27' is the country’s first high-yielding Aman rice resistant to blast disease, incorporating two effective resistance genes, Pi9 and Pish. The variety grows 95–100 centimeters tall, resists lodging in strong winds, and yields six to 6.5 tons per hectare on average, reaching up to seven tons under favorable conditions. 'BINA Dhan-28' is a zinc-enriched, aromatic, medium-slender rice developed through marker-assisted backcrossing, containing 24.83 milligrams of zinc per kilogram. Researchers said 'BINA Dhan-28' matures in 120–125 days, yields about 6.5 tons per hectare, and produces fluffy, tasty rice with 27.42% amylose content. BINA officials believe these varieties will enhance farmers’ income, improve nutritional security, and reduce production costs.

Long queues formed at petrol pumps across Bangladesh, including Dhaka, Chattogram, Sylhet and Rajshahi, as consumers rushed to buy fuel amid fears of supply disruption and price hikes linked to the ongoing Middle East war. The Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) imposed limits on daily fuel sales by vehicle type to prevent artificial shortages, assuring that national reserves remain sufficient. Some pumps temporarily closed due to excessive demand, while others restricted sales per customer. Energy Minister Iqbal Hasan Mahmud urged the public not to panic, saying fuel stocks and supply are stable. State Minister for Energy Anindya Islam Amit announced that a rationing system for fuel sales would begin Sunday to ensure long-term stability. BPC reiterated that no government decision had been made to raise prices and warned against overcharging. The surge in demand followed reports of regional conflict after U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran, which led to retaliatory strikes and closure of the Hormuz Strait. Authorities expect the situation to normalize soon as imports and domestic distribution continue under regular schedules.

Climate change has become a harsh daily reality for Bangladesh, one of the world’s most climate-vulnerable countries. Rising global temperatures are directly and indirectly affecting rivers, agriculture, forests, biodiversity, and human life. The country’s northwestern Barind region is already showing early signs of dryness and desertification, prompting warnings from international climate and desertification researchers that the area may gradually turn into a desert. In response, Bangladesh’s Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has set four key criteria for assessing climate impacts: identifying the most affected populations, determining regions most prone to natural disasters, evaluating population exposure to risk, and reviewing adaptation measures taken by affected areas or countries. Based on these indicators, Bangladesh is now facing a multidimensional crisis encompassing environmental, social, and economic challenges. The situation underscores the urgency for comprehensive adaptation and mitigation strategies to protect vulnerable ecosystems such as the Sundarbans and safeguard communities from escalating climate threats.

U.S. President Donald Trump has hinted that Cuba could be Washington’s next major focus following recent military actions in Iran and Venezuela. Speaking at the White House while hosting Inter Miami football club, Trump praised Secretary of State Marco Rubio for his work on Cuba and said the administration had tightened sanctions to further pressure the island’s struggling economy. He suggested that the fall of Cuba’s communist government, established after the 1959 revolution, may be imminent, describing it as part of a broader U.S. strategy to weaken adversarial regimes through sanctions and political pressure. Cuba is facing severe energy shortages, worsened after the U.S. halted Venezuelan oil exports to the island. The United Nations and the Pan American Health Organization have described the situation as a humanitarian and socio-economic crisis, with widespread power outages affecting hospitals, water supply, and food distribution. Recent diplomatic tensions have also escalated, as Ecuador expelled Cuba’s ambassador and several Latin American countries ended medical cooperation agreements under apparent U.S. influence. Trump is scheduled to meet right-wing Latin American leaders at his Mar-a-Lago resort to discuss regional developments, signaling continued U.S. engagement in reshaping alliances across the hemisphere.

Iran has been carrying out continuous missile strikes across various regions of Israel, according to the report. Analysts suggest the objective is to strain Israel’s air defense network and gradually deplete its missile interception capacity. In recent hours, air raid sirens have sounded multiple times in Beersheba, a southern city in the Negev desert, as well as in northern parts of the country. Experts believe Iran’s strategy is to keep Israel’s defense systems under constant pressure by forcing them to respond to simultaneous attacks in multiple areas. This approach is reportedly causing Israel’s interceptor stockpiles to be used up quickly, which analysts interpret as part of Iran’s broader plan to weaken Israel’s defensive readiness. The report also notes that Iran seeks to demonstrate to the world that its military capabilities remain intact despite a week of sustained air and missile attacks by the United States and Israel. Analysts indicate that Iran continues to possess the capacity to strike Israel and other regional targets, using the current conflict to showcase its resilience.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Ismail Baghaei has criticized the United Nations for its response to recent attacks on Iran by the United States and Israel. In a message posted on social media platform X, he accused both countries of carrying out an “unprovoked aggression” against Iran and called on UN Secretary-General António Guterres to fulfill the organization’s legal and moral responsibilities. Baghaei stated that the ongoing conflict poses a major threat not only to the Middle East but also to the global economy. He urged the international community to pay attention to civilian casualties in Iran, claiming that in the past week, attacks by the US and Israel in the city of Minab killed many civilians, including 165 children and school staff. According to the report, there was no immediate response from the United States or Israel regarding Iran’s allegations.

An Iranian military spokesperson stated that the country has no plans to close the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz. However, he acknowledged that ship traffic through the waterway has significantly decreased due to the ongoing war. The statement was reported on March 7, 2026. The spokesperson clarified that Iran will not obstruct any vessel seeking to pass through the strait but emphasized that each ship must take responsibility for its own security. At the same time, he issued a stern warning that any ship belonging to what he described as a Zionist state, referring to Israel, or to the United States would be treated as a target if it attempted to cross the strait. The remarks come amid heightened regional tensions and reduced maritime activity, underscoring the strategic sensitivity of the Strait of Hormuz, a key global shipping route.

A group of 660 Sunni Muslim clerics from Iran’s southeastern Sistan and Baluchestan province have issued a joint statement calling for jihad against the United States and Israel. The statement, reported on March 6 by Pars Today, expressed support for Iran’s armed forces and conveyed condolences over the martyrdom of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei. The clerics praised Khamenei’s lifelong efforts to uphold truth, defend Islam, and stand with oppressed people, describing him as having attained martyrdom and divine proximity. They emphasized that the current aggression by Israel and the United States represents an attack not on a specific nation or territory but on Islam and the entire Muslim community. The statement further described resistance to such aggression as both a historical and religious duty for scholars, thinkers, and freedom-seeking Muslims worldwide.

India has provided shelter to the Iranian warship IRIS Lavan and its 183 sailors after the vessel sent a distress signal on February 28 due to technical problems. The incident occurred on the same day that U.S. and Israeli military operations began. According to the Indian government, the ship requested permission to dock in Kochi on February 28, received approval on March 1, and has been stationed there since March 4. Officials confirmed that accommodation and food have been arranged for the crew in Kochi. The development comes as India faces criticism this week following reports that another Iranian ship, IRIS Dena, was struck by a U.S. submarine torpedo, killing more than 80 sailors, rescuing 32, and leaving over a hundred missing. India has not yet commented directly on that attack. The government stated that its decision to host IRIS Lavan was based on humanitarian grounds and the safety of the sailors. The situation underscores India's delicate position amid escalating U.S.-Israel-Iran tensions in the region.

Iranian Kurdish rebel groups based in northern Iraq have stated they are not planning any immediate cross-border attacks into Iran. However, they declared readiness to join a potential US-led ground operation should such an offensive begin. Officials from the Kurdistan Freedom Party (PAK) told AP that their forces would fight alongside coalition troops if a ground campaign starts, though they prefer Kurdish groups not to lead such operations. PAK official Khalil Naderi said some of their armed members are already inside Iran and could participate in a possible uprising if conditions arise. He added that Kurdish groups maintain contact with the United States and Israel but have not received any military or material support. The statement follows reports suggesting Iranian Kurdish opposition groups in Iraq were preparing for cross-border military action. The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) in Iraq clarified that its territory will not be used as a base for attacks against Iran and expressed opposition to any escalation. Analysts noted that Kurdish regions have become renewed flashpoints amid the ongoing US-Israel-Iran tensions.

Germany has withdrawn additional troops from the Middle East as the conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran entered its seventh day. The German military said the decision was made due to increasing security risks in the region. A spokesperson told Reuters that part of the Bundeswehr contingent deployed under the UN peacekeeping mission in Lebanon is being relocated for safety reasons. Earlier, Germany had already reduced its military presence in Erbil, northern Iraq. According to German media outlet RND, troops stationed in Bahrain have returned home, and preparations are underway to withdraw personnel from Kuwait. Some soldiers and officials from the German embassy in Baghdad have been moved to Jordan for security reasons, though the Foreign Ministry has not commented on the matter. Currently, around 500 German troops remain deployed across several Middle Eastern countries, mainly in Iraq and Jordan. However, worsening security conditions have prompted Germany to scale back its presence and withdraw forces from certain bases.

A new CNN-commissioned SSRS poll shows that a majority of Americans are dissatisfied with the United States’ recent military strike on Iran. About 59 percent of respondents opposed the decision, while 41 percent supported it. The survey, conducted shortly after US and Israeli attacks in Iran, also revealed widespread doubts about President Donald Trump’s ability to handle the situation effectively. According to the poll, 60 percent of Americans believe Trump lacks a clear plan for dealing with Iran, and 62 percent think he should seek congressional approval before taking further military action. Only 27 percent said the US made sufficient diplomatic efforts before the strike, while 39 percent felt more diplomacy was needed. The survey also found that 56 percent foresee a long-term military conflict between the two nations, and 54 percent believe the strike could increase the threat from Iran rather than reduce it. Political divisions were evident: 77 percent of Republicans supported the strike compared with 32 percent of independents and 18 percent of Democrats. Despite these differences, opposition was strong across age, gender, and racial groups.

U.S. President Donald Trump has declared that Iran must surrender unconditionally, stating that no agreement will be made with Tehran unless it complies. In a post on his own social media platform, Trump emphasized that only after Iran’s unconditional surrender would discussions about the future be possible. Trump further said that following Iran’s surrender, the United States and its allies would assist in forming a new, “acceptable” Iranian leadership. He added that Washington and its partners would also help in rebuilding Iran under that new leadership. The statement, reported by Al Jazeera, underscores a hardline stance toward Tehran, signaling that Washington’s engagement will depend entirely on Iran’s capitulation.

Oracle and OpenAI have dropped their plan to expand a flagship artificial intelligence data center in Texas after prolonged negotiations over financing and changes in OpenAI’s requirements, Bloomberg News reported. The expansion was part of the Stargate initiative, a project valued at up to $500 billion and 10 gigawatts that also involves SoftBank Group. The initiative was announced by U.S. President Donald Trump in January 2025. The companies had earlier proposed adding 600 megawatts of capacity near the Stargate site in Abilene, Texas, but that capacity will now be developed at another data center campus. The Abilene site includes eight buildings operated by Oracle Cloud Infrastructure, with two already operational. Despite the canceled expansion, Oracle and OpenAI’s broader plan to develop 4.5 gigawatts of data center capacity remains on schedule. Following the collapse of talks, Meta Platforms is reportedly considering leasing the planned expansion site from developer Crusoe, with Nvidia helping facilitate discussions to ensure its AI chips are used at the facility.