Bahrain announced that its Defense Force destroyed 75 missiles and 123 drones allegedly launched by Iran. The statement was released through the official Instagram account of the Bahrain Defense Force, which said the interceptions occurred after Iran began what it described as acts of aggression. The report was cited by Al Jazeera and comes amid heightened military exchanges in the region. The incident follows a series of retaliatory actions after joint U.S. and Israeli strikes, to which Iran has responded with counterattacks. The situation has raised concerns among Gulf countries and international observers about escalating instability in the Middle East. The report also noted that Iran faces internal unrest and that regional markets, including South Korea’s, have reacted negatively to the ongoing tensions. The developments suggest a continuing cycle of military confrontation and regional anxiety, with potential implications for security and economic stability across the Gulf region.

Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis Amir Maulana Mamunul Haque stated that the July mass uprising was built upon the sacrifices and ideals of the Shapla Chattar movement. He emphasized that rebuilding the future of Bangladesh depends on fully realizing the goals and spirit of that uprising. Haque accused those attempting to undermine the 2024 uprising of rejecting the essence of the Shapla spirit itself. He made these remarks on Thursday at an iftar gathering organized by the Shapla Smriti Sangsad at the Hotel Central Inn auditorium of Rahmania International Complex in Dhaka. The event honored the families of those killed and injured in the 2013 Shapla Chattar and 2021 anti-Modi movements. In his presidential address, Haque also expressed regret for the nation’s negligence toward the families of the martyrs, apologizing on behalf of all for their prolonged suffering. The event was attended by Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh’s central Naib-e-Amir Maulana Mahfuzul Haque, former interim government adviser Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan, and other religious and social leaders.

Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar has alleged that the ruling party is attempting to declare the July Charter and referendum invalid by using the courts. Speaking at an iftar gathering organized by the Ulama Division of Jamaat-e-Islami Dhaka South on Thursday, he warned that if the government follows the path of previous regimes, the responsibility will fall on the BNP. He also claimed that evidence of election result manipulation is gradually emerging and that both domestic and foreign forces were involved in engineering the outcome. Porwar called on Islamic scholars to take the lead in building true believers and patriotic citizens, describing them as the nation's best sons who have historically defended independence and sovereignty. Other speakers, including Nurul Islam Bulbul MP and Dr. Khalilur Rahman Madani, emphasized unity among religious scholars and their role in guiding the nation beyond partisan lines. The event was attended by senior Jamaat leaders, scholars, and representatives from various Islamic organizations, who echoed calls for unity and moral leadership in national life.

Bangladesh Bank has fixed the maximum rent rates for bank branches and other business centers across different regions of the country. The directive, issued on Thursday, states that banks will no longer need prior approval from the central bank if the rent remains within the prescribed limits. However, approval will be required if the rent exceeds those limits. Banks can now decide on leasing or renting business premises with their board of directors’ approval, including new contracts or renewals. According to the circular, if the property owner is a bank director or a related party, prior approval from Bangladesh Bank will still be necessary. Approval will also be required for relocating business centers before the contract expires, or for renting premises for head offices and controlled divisions. The circular instructs banks to follow previous guidelines on advance payments, establishment costs, and rent escalation. The maximum rent per square foot has been set at 104 taka in Dhaka City Corporation areas, with varying rates for other cities and rural areas. Banks must determine rent rationally within these limits, considering location, floor level, and building quality.

China has reportedly instructed its major oil refineries to temporarily suspend exports of diesel and petrol due to supply disruptions caused by the ongoing war in the Middle East, according to a Bloomberg News report published Thursday citing unnamed sources. The directive was said to have been delivered verbally by officials from the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) during a meeting with refinery representatives and was to take effect immediately. The report noted that China, a net importer of crude oil, relies heavily on the Strait of Hormuz for energy shipments, which are currently halted. Last year, 57 percent of China’s seaborne crude imports came from the Middle East, according to data from analytics firm Kpler. Refineries were also told not to sign new export contracts and to negotiate cancellations of finalized shipments. When asked about the matter, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said they were unaware of such a decision. Bloomberg identified PetroChina, Sinopec, CNOOC, Sinochem Group, and Zhejiang Petrochemical as regular fuel exporters contacted by AFP, though none commented on the reported suspension.

China has announced a 7 percent increase in its 2026 defense budget to accelerate military modernization. The announcement came on March 5 during the opening of the annual parliamentary session, where Premier Li Qiang said the country would strengthen war preparedness and enhance advanced military capabilities. Although this is the smallest increase in five years, it remains higher than most Asian nations’ defense growth rates. Li Qiang stated that the measures aim to boost China’s strategic capacity to safeguard sovereignty, security, and development interests. The modernization plan includes developing new missiles, warships, submarines, and surveillance technologies, with a goal to fully modernize the armed forces by 2035. Analysts noted that China’s defense spending typically aligns with GDP growth and inflation. Beijing has also intensified anti-corruption efforts within the military, investigating senior generals such as Zhang Youxia and He Weidong. Taiwan expressed concern that China’s large defense allocation amid weak economic conditions poses a threat, while Japan criticized the lack of transparency. A report by the International Institute for Strategic Studies said China accounted for 44 percent of Asia’s total defense spending in 2025, up from an average of 37 percent between 2010 and 2020.

France has granted permission for the temporary presence of US warplanes at certain French military bases, according to a report by Al Jazeera. A French joint defense staff official confirmed that the authorization applies to specific bases and is being implemented amid ongoing tensions surrounding Iran. The decision comes in the context of a joint US-Israeli military operation against Iran. The French official clarified that France will not directly participate in any US-led operations against Iran using its bases. The move is described as a measure to ensure defense support for France’s partner countries in the region. The announcement reflects France’s attempt to balance its alliance commitments with its stated policy of non-involvement in offensive actions against Iran. The decision underscores the growing regional strain linked to Iran and highlights France’s cautious approach to maintaining both strategic cooperation with the United States and diplomatic distance from direct conflict.

United States Assistant Secretary for South and Central Asian Affairs S. Paul Kapoor paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s Foreign Affairs Adviser Humayun Kabir in Dhaka on Thursday. The meeting took place at the Prime Minister’s Office in Tejgaon and was attended by the US Ambassador to Bangladesh and a high-level American delegation. During the meeting, both sides discussed existing bilateral relations, regional cooperation, trade and investment expansion, and development partnership. Adviser Humayun Kabir highlighted the longstanding friendship between Bangladesh and the United States and expressed hope for strengthening and diversifying the relationship. He emphasized the importance of expanding economic cooperation and joint initiatives in various development sectors. Assistant Secretary Kapoor reaffirmed the United States’ interest in advancing Bangladesh-US relations and noted the potential for expanding collaboration in multiple areas. The meeting was held in a cordial atmosphere, with both parties expressing optimism about deepening future cooperation.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has claimed responsibility for attacks on 20 US military installations located in three Middle Eastern countries—Kuwait, Bahrain, and the United Arab Emirates. The strikes were described as retaliation following a joint military operation by the United States and Israel against Iran, according to a report by Al Jazeera. The IRGC stated that the targeted US facilities suffered significant damage. Earlier, explosions were reportedly heard in Doha, Qatar, following Iran’s earlier attacks. An AFP correspondent in Doha confirmed the sounds of multiple blasts. In response, Qatari authorities began relocating residents near the US embassy as a precautionary measure. The report also mentioned that Azerbaijan closed its southern airspace due to Iranian drone activity, while Iranian officials said they were not concerned about the duration of the conflict. Iraq reiterated that it would not tolerate any threats against Iran.

An Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson warned that European Union member states would eventually face consequences if they remain silent about attacks by Israel and the United States. The statement was made by spokesperson Ismail during an interview with Spain’s broadcaster TVE on Thursday. The spokesperson also rejected Turkey’s claim that a missile intercepted in its airspace had been launched from Iran. Earlier, Turkey stated that a NATO defense system had destroyed a missile allegedly fired from Iran into its airspace. The remarks come amid heightened regional tensions, with Iran also facing reports of drone activity affecting neighboring countries and recent attacks on hospitals within its borders, according to the World Health Organization.

Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka has cancelled 210 flights between February 28 and March 5, 2026, following temporary airspace closures by several Middle Eastern countries. The cancellations were triggered by escalating tensions after attacks involving the United States, Israel, and Iran. On Thursday alone, 34 flights were cancelled, affecting multiple airlines including Qatar Airways, Kuwait Airways, Jazeera Airways, Air Arabia, Emirates, US-Bangla, Gulf Air, and Flydubai. According to airport sources, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Qatar, and Jordan closed their airspace due to security concerns. This led to widespread disruption of flights from Dhaka to Middle Eastern destinations. The cancellations occurred progressively, with 23 flights cancelled on February 28, 40 on March 1, 46 on March 2, 39 on March 3, and 28 on March 4. The situation highlights the vulnerability of international air travel to regional conflicts, with airlines and passengers facing significant operational and logistical challenges.

The Prime Minister has decided to avoid holding lavish iftar gatherings this year, considering the country’s overall situation. According to Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumman, she will attend only two iftar events at the state guesthouse Jamuna—one on March 6 for diplomats and another on March 7 for orphans, Islamic scholars, and clerics. Previously scheduled iftar events at Jamuna for politicians on March 8 and for journalists on March 10 have been cancelled due to the same considerations. The decision marks a departure from the usual state tradition of hosting multiple large-scale iftar receptions for various professional and social groups. This year, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is observing iftar privately with his family at home, and no grand state-sponsored iftar events are being held.

Photographer Khaled Hossain Parag from Pabna has been appointed as the personal photographer to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. The appointment was announced on Tuesday through a circular issued by the Contract and Foreign Recruitment Branch of the Ministry of Public Administration. According to the circular, Parag will serve on a contractual basis, receiving salary and benefits under grade-9 of the national pay scale. His appointment will remain effective until the end of the Prime Minister’s tenure or until further notice. As the Prime Minister’s photographer, Parag will be responsible for capturing, archiving, and documenting official activities, political programs, state visits, meetings, and other significant events. He will also oversee the visual documentation and archival preservation of the Prime Minister’s engagements. Parag has been active in photojournalism and cultural-political activities for nearly three decades. He began his career at the daily Dinkal and currently serves as the convener of the Pabna district branch of JASAS, a BNP-affiliated cultural organization. He has founded several local cultural and youth organizations and is known for his long-standing voluntary documentation of BNP and Zia family events.

An explosion has been reported in Manama, the capital of Bahrain, according to a correspondent from the AFP news agency based in the city. The incident occurred as regional tensions continue to rise, with similar reports of a powerful explosion earlier in the day in Doha, Qatar. The developments come after Israel and the United States launched attacks on Iran last Saturday, prompting retaliatory strikes by Iran across several Gulf countries. The situation has heightened concerns among regional and international observers about the potential for wider instability in the Middle East. The report did not provide details about casualties or the extent of the damage in Manama, leaving the immediate impact of the explosion unclear.

Several explosions were heard in Doha, the capital of Qatar, following Iranian attacks in the region, according to an AFP reporter based in the city. Al Jazeera reported that Qatar’s defense systems were intercepting missiles entering its airspace. The AFP correspondent described hearing four initial explosions, followed by six more, and later around twenty in total, with visible smoke where interceptors struck Iranian missiles or drones. Earlier, Qatar had begun relocating residents living near the U.S. Embassy in Doha as a precautionary measure. The developments come after the United States and Israel jointly launched attacks on Iran last Saturday, prompting Iranian retaliatory strikes targeting U.S. installations across several Middle Eastern countries, including Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, where American embassies were hit, and the U.S. consulate in Dubai. The situation underscores rising regional tensions as Qatar now faces direct security threats linked to the broader Iran-U.S.-Israel confrontation.