Former Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is alive and unharmed despite widespread rumors of an assassination attempt, according to sources cited by Iran International on Tuesday, March 3. The sources said Ahmadinejad suffered no physical injuries and has been moved to a secure location for safety reasons. Confusion about his status spread across Iranian media following recent Israeli attacks, with some outlets falsely claiming he had been killed while others could not confirm the reports. The contradictory information fueled speculation about his whereabouts and condition. Ahmadinejad served as Iran’s president from 2005 to 2013 and was known as a hardline leader critical of Western policies. His controversial 2009 re-election triggered nationwide protests, marking one of the most turbulent periods in Iran’s recent political history.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio acknowledged that Washington launched preemptive strikes in Iran to support Israel and prevent potential Iranian retaliation against American forces in the Middle East. Rubio said intelligence indicated Israel would attack Iran, prompting fears that Tehran might target US troops and bases. Republican congressional leader Mike Johnson echoed this justification, while UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer refused to endorse the legality of the US action under international law. The conflict entered its fourth day with heavy Israeli and US bombardments across Tehran and other Iranian cities, including strikes on the presidential office and state broadcaster IRIB. Iran reported 787 deaths nationwide. In response, Iran continued missile and drone attacks on US and Israeli targets across the region, hitting bases in Kuwait, Qatar, and Bahrain. The US closed its embassies in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait after drone strikes and urged citizens to leave 14 Middle Eastern countries. President Donald Trump said the war could last four to five weeks, while Iran vowed to continue fighting until US and Israeli aggression ends. The situation has triggered widespread regional instability and diplomatic fallout.

French football star Kylian Mbappé has reportedly left Spain for France to seek medical treatment after expressing dissatisfaction with Real Madrid’s medical team. The forward, who has been in outstanding form this season, suffered a knee injury in December that has yet to fully heal. Despite ongoing care from the club’s doctors, Mbappé remains unfit and missed the Champions League playoff match against Benfica. He has now consulted several specialist physicians in France with the club’s permission. Spanish outlet Marca reported that Mbappé is unhappy with Real Madrid’s handling of his injury, believing the medical staff failed to provide an effective solution over the past three months. The exact nature of his knee problem remains uncertain, with possible issues involving both the internal lateral and posterior cruciate ligaments. His main goal is to identify the root cause of the injury and return to full fitness for the crucial stages of the season. Mbappé’s participation in the upcoming Champions League round of 16 matches against Manchester City remains doubtful, though Real Madrid hopes he will recover before the second leg.

Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) has confirmed that the country currently holds adequate fuel reserves and there is no justification for raising prices due to the ongoing war situation. At a press conference held on Tuesday at the BPC headquarters in Karwan Bazar, Chairman Md. Rezanur Rahman stated that Bangladesh has a total of 136,000 metric tons of fuel oil in stock. He added that alternative markets are being considered in light of the global conflict, but the existing reserves are sufficient to prevent any immediate price increase. To ensure uninterrupted supply, BPC has completed letters of credit for seven ships as of Monday. The current stock is expected to last 14 days for diesel, 28 days for octane, 15 days for petrol, 93 days for furnace oil, and 55 days for jet fuel. Earlier, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman held meetings with key ministers and officials to review preparedness and instructed all relevant ministries to remain active in ensuring energy security. Energy Minister Iqbal Hasan Mahmud and Foreign Affairs Adviser Humayun Kabir both expressed confidence that the government’s coordinated efforts would maintain stability in the energy sector despite global uncertainties.

Thousands of Bangladeshi expatriates have been stranded across the Middle East after the United States and Israel launched attacks on Iran, prompting several countries to close their airspace. The resulting flight cancellations have left many unable to return to their workplaces, with expiring visas and mounting financial strain. At Dhaka’s Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport alone, 147 international flights were canceled in four days, while Chattogram’s Shah Amanat Airport saw 35 cancellations. Biman Bangladesh Airlines suspended all flights on six Middle Eastern routes until March 5. The Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment said it has formed a four-member committee and a special cell to assist affected workers and resolve visa complications. Qatar’s Interior Ministry extended all expiring visas by one month without fees, while the UAE embassy in Dhaka will issue temporary travel permits once flights resume. Expatriates described living in fear and uncertainty, unable to work or move freely amid the conflict. Officials said the government is monitoring the situation and coordinating with embassies to address visa and repatriation issues, hoping for a quick resolution.

The United States and Israel have continued heavy air and missile strikes on Iran, marking the fourth day of coordinated attacks across Tehran and other cities. Israeli forces targeted Iran’s presidential office and state broadcaster, while US officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, defended the strikes as preemptive measures to prevent Iranian retaliation. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer refused to endorse the legality of the US attack under international law. The assaults have killed at least 787 people, including civilians, and damaged more than 150 cities, according to Iranian sources. Iran has launched counterstrikes across the region, hitting US bases, embassies, and allied infrastructure in Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Bahrain. The US closed its embassies in Riyadh and Kuwait City after drone attacks, and President Donald Trump warned of further retaliation. Iran’s envoy to the UN vowed to continue defensive operations until US and Israeli aggression ends. Meanwhile, Hezbollah joined the conflict from Lebanon, attacking Israeli military sites as Israel expanded operations into Lebanese territory. The US has urged its citizens to leave 14 Middle Eastern countries immediately, underscoring the escalating regional instability and risk of broader conflict.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has defended the administration’s position on the war with Iran, countering criticism over the justification for military action. He stated that President Donald Trump decided to attack Iran because he viewed it as a unique opportunity to achieve mission success. Speaking before a closed-door briefing for lawmakers on Tuesday, Rubio emphasized that the president was determined not to strike first, clarifying his earlier remarks that had drawn strong reactions. Rubio previously said Trump believed Israel was determined to act and wanted the United States to strike Iran first to prevent potential retaliation against American bases and operations in the region. He reiterated that American troops would not be put at risk and argued that there was no way the Iranian government would acquire nuclear weapons under Trump’s watch. Rubio’s comments have further fueled ongoing debate over the US administration’s Iran policy and military strategy.

Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan, spokesperson of the National Citizen Party (NCP) and former adviser to the interim government, announced that he will make his bank statement public on Wednesday, March 4. The declaration came after the Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU) sought details of his bank accounts. Mahmud made the announcement in a verified Facebook post shortly after midnight on March 3, stating that he had already submitted his income and asset records to the Cabinet Division before resigning from his advisory post. Later that night, Mahmud told the media that questions had arisen about whether the disclosure of his bank information was lawful. He reiterated his plan to release the statement himself to maintain transparency. Mahmud previously served as adviser for the Local Government and Youth and Sports ministries in the interim government and resigned on December 10 before the 13th national election. The move follows growing scrutiny of political figures’ financial transparency, though the source does not specify any official response from the BFIU or other authorities.

US President Donald Trump announced that the US Navy will provide security for oil tankers passing through the Strait of Hormuz if necessary. He made the statement on Wednesday in a post on the social media platform Truth Social. Trump also directed his administration to arrange insurance coverage for ships operating in the area. In his message, Trump emphasized that the US Navy would begin protecting tankers through the strategic waterway as quickly as required. He added that the United States would ensure the safe global supply of energy under any circumstances. The announcement comes amid heightened regional tensions, as the source also mentioned reports of US strikes on Iranian targets and other related incidents in the Middle East.

Iran launched a missile attack on the US Al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar, according to a statement from Qatar’s Ministry of Defense. The ministry reported that two ballistic missiles were fired from Iran, one of which was intercepted by Qatar’s air defense system, while the other struck the Al-Udeid base. The incident occurred on Wednesday, and no casualties have been reported so far. The report, carried by Al Jazeera and cited by the Qatari defense authorities, marks a significant escalation involving Iranian missile activity in the Gulf region. The Al-Udeid base is known as a key US military installation in Qatar, and the attack underscores heightened regional tensions. The ministry’s statement did not provide further details about the extent of the damage or any immediate response measures. Authorities have not yet released additional information regarding potential follow-up actions or investigations into the missile strike.

French President Emmanuel Macron stated that the recent unprovoked attacks by the United States and Israel on Iran violated international law, while emphasizing that Tehran remains 'primarily responsible' for the current tensions. His remarks were reported by Al Jazeera and published on March 4, 2026. Macron said that both the US and Israel conducted military operations outside the bounds of international law, which France cannot endorse. However, he pointed to Iran’s nuclear activities, its support for regional proxy groups, and its internal repression as reasons for assigning primary responsibility to Tehran. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has clarified that there is no evidence Iran is developing a nuclear bomb. Analysts cited in the report suggested that Macron’s comments reflect an effort to balance France’s position between Western allies and the ongoing Middle East crisis.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in a joint attack by the United States and Israel, will be buried in the city of Mashhad, according to Fars News Agency on Wednesday. The 86-year-old leader was targeted in an assault last Saturday morning. Before his death, Khamenei had served as Iran’s highest religious authority for 36 years. Mashhad, considered a holy city by Iranians, is also Khamenei’s birthplace. His father was buried at the Imam Reza shrine there, and Khamenei had reportedly expressed his wish to be laid to rest at the same site. However, the exact date of his burial has not yet been announced. The report highlights the symbolic importance of Mashhad in Iran’s religious and political landscape, as it houses one of the country’s most revered shrines and now will become the final resting place of its long-serving leader.

US-Bangla Airlines has announced two special flights on the Dhaka–Dubai–Dhaka route to repatriate Bangladeshi nationals stranded in the United Arab Emirates due to the ongoing situation in the Middle East. The first flight will depart from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka at 7:20 p.m. today and return from Dubai at 12:20 a.m. local time. The second flight will leave Dhaka at 5:15 p.m. tomorrow and return from Dubai at 10:00 p.m. local time. The flights will be operated using Airbus A330-300 aircraft with 436 seats. The flight numbers are BS-341 for Dhaka–Dubai and BS-342 for Dubai–Dhaka. The Dubai Airport Authority has granted permission to US-Bangla Airlines, Emirates, Air India, and several other carriers to operate special flights considering the overall situation. Priority will be given to Bangladeshi passengers whose visas have expired or are about to expire. Passengers are advised to contact US-Bangla Airlines sales centers or nearby travel agencies in Bangladesh or the UAE for ticket booking information.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that the Trump administration launched a preemptive strike on Iran to prevent potential attacks on American forces following Israel’s confirmed plans to strike Iran. He said Washington acted to destroy Tehran’s capabilities before it could retaliate, as Israel remained firm on its decision to attack in self-defense. After a closed-door briefing on March 2 at Capitol Hill, sharp divisions emerged among US lawmakers. Vice President JD Vance told Fox News that the president’s main goal was to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. Democratic leaders, including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, criticized the conflict as “Trump’s war” and a “strategy-less operation,” calling the administration’s justification inadequate. Senate Intelligence Committee Vice Chair Mark Warner warned that entering a war without a direct threat to the US set a dangerous precedent. Reports indicate that Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in the ongoing airstrikes, with over 500 Iranian deaths reported. The US military confirmed six American fatalities. Republican leaders backed the operation as defensive, while Democrats sought to halt the war through a War Powers Resolution, though passage appears unlikely in a Republican-controlled Congress.

Smoke was seen rising near the United States consulate in Dubai after what officials described as a drone attack, according to Reuters. The Dubai Media Office confirmed that a fire caused by the incident was successfully brought under control and that no casualties were reported. The attack follows a similar incident in Saudi Arabia’s capital, Riyadh, where the US embassy was targeted earlier. That event also resulted in damage but no reported injuries. Regional sources indicated that Iran has been targeting US interests across the Middle East following recent deadly strikes by Israel and the United States. Authorities have not provided further details about the extent of the damage or the type of drone used in the Dubai incident.