Iran has the capability to disrupt the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz for several months through drone attacks, according to military analysts and intelligence sources. In response to recent U.S. and Israeli strikes, Iran launched over a thousand drones and hundreds of missiles targeting American bases in Gulf countries, causing significant damage despite most being intercepted. Attacks on six ships have nearly halted maritime traffic through the strait, which handles about 20 percent of global oil and gas shipments.

The UK-funded Center for Information Resilience reported that Iran can produce around 10,000 drones monthly, placing it among the world’s top drone manufacturers. Estimates of Iran’s missile stockpile vary between 2,500 and 6,000, with analysts noting that supply shortages and destroyed launchers could limit sustained attacks. Despite these constraints, Iran’s Shahed-136 drones can strike targets up to 1,000 kilometers away, and recent strikes have hit infrastructure in the UAE and Bahrain.

If missiles and drones are depleted, Iran could deploy its 5,000–6,000 naval mines, which experts warn could take months to clear, potentially triggering a prolonged global energy crisis as oil and gas prices continue to rise.

Exiled Iranian royal Reza Pahlavi has called for the immediate transfer of power following the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. According to Al Jazeera, Pahlavi made the appeal in a post on social media platform X on March 5, 2026, urging officials of the Islamic Republic to hand over authority without delay.

In his statement, Pahlavi warned that any attempt to appoint a successor to Khamenei would fail, arguing that no new leader could gain legitimacy in the eyes of the Iranian people. His remarks come amid heightened political uncertainty in Iran after the reported assassination of its top leader.

The call reflects continuing opposition sentiment among exiled figures and adds to questions about Iran’s political transition following Khamenei’s death.

Adelaide University has cancelled a scheduled literary festival event featuring UN Special Rapporteur on the occupied Palestinian territories, Francesca Albanese. The event, part of the Constellations: Not Writers’ Week festival, was to be held at the university’s Elder Hall on Thursday night. Organisers said the university informed them on Monday that certain procedural requirements had not been met and revoked the booking. A new venue, Norwood Concert Hall, has been secured to host the 650 ticket holders, with Albanese participating via video link alongside academics Henry Reynolds and Lana Tatour.

The Association for the Promotion of International Law (APIL), which organised the event, disputed the university’s claim of procedural lapses, saying it had been in contact with Elder Hall management since early February. Adelaide University stated it was unaware of the external event until the previous Friday and could not approve the booking without proper review. The cancellation followed a report suggesting that hosting Albanese might breach US sanctions, as she was previously placed on a sanctions list by the Trump administration.

Festival organisers and speakers accused the university of bowing to media pressure and undermining free speech, while the university maintained it supports open exchange of ideas within policy guidelines.

Iran has carried out another attack on US forces stationed in Kuwait, this time using drones. According to Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency, the strike targeted the US military base at Arifjan. No further details about the scale of the attack or potential casualties have been released.

The report follows a previous Iranian strike in Kuwait that killed six US soldiers. Tehran began retaliatory operations last Saturday in response to earlier attacks by the United States and Israel on Iranian territory. The US has confirmed the deaths of six of its service members from those earlier incidents.

The renewed drone assault underscores escalating hostilities between Iran and the United States in the region, though the immediate consequences of the latest strike remain unclear.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer reaffirmed his decision not to involve the United Kingdom in the joint United States and Israel attack on Iran. He also refused to allow American aircraft to use British bases for the operation. Starmer explained his stance at a press conference on March 5, 2026, aiming to reassure a concerned public amid rising tensions.

During the briefing, Starmer emphasized that his goal was to provide calm and prudent leadership in the national interest. He stated that the UK must have the strength to stand firmly by its values and principles regardless of external pressure. His remarks were seen as a signal that he would not yield to pressure from US President Donald Trump.

Starmer reiterated that the UK’s long-standing position on Iran is to seek a resolution through dialogue, encouraging Iran to halt its nuclear program. He described his decision to stay out of the initial wave of attacks as a carefully considered move made in the national interest.

Qatar announced that its air defense systems intercepted 14 ballistic missiles and four drones launched from Iran on Saturday morning, according to a statement cited by Al Jazeera. The country’s defense ministry confirmed that all incoming threats were successfully neutralized and that security forces remain on high alert to monitor the situation.

Authorities in Qatar urged citizens, residents, and visitors to remain calm and to follow official guidance. They also advised the public to avoid spreading rumors and to rely solely on verified information from government sources.

The report comes as regional tensions remain high, with neighboring countries taking precautionary measures in response to aerial threats. Qatar’s swift response underscores its readiness to defend its airspace and maintain internal stability.

National Citizens Party (NCP) convener and opposition chief whip Nahid Islam has accused the government of politicizing major state institutions such as Bangladesh Bank and the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC). He made the allegation on Thursday at an iftar event in Dhaka, organized in honor of foreign diplomats to mark the NCP’s founding anniversary.

Addressing the diplomats, Nahid Islam said that the government is subtly turning major institutions into partisan bodies, which he described as a warning sign for a democratic state. He urged the international community to pay attention to ensuring that state institutions remain free from political influence and serve the public interest.

Nahid also demanded the immediate formation of a “Constitution Reform Council” to implement the commitments of the July Charter, claiming that the reform process outlined in the charter has been hindered. Diplomats from various countries attended the event.

Australia has deployed military assets to the Middle East as a precautionary measure amid escalating conflict between Iran and Israel. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced the move in parliament, citing the rapidly deteriorating situation in the region. As part of an emergency plan, six crisis response teams have already been sent, and at least two military aircraft have been deployed to designated locations, according to national broadcaster SBS News.

The deployment aims to ensure the safety of Australian citizens in the region and to enable swift evacuation if necessary. The government has not disclosed detailed military information, but the action reflects growing concern over the widening conflict involving Iran, Israel, and the active participation of the United States.

Australia’s decision underscores its role as a Western ally closely monitoring regional stability while prioritizing the protection of its nationals in a volatile Middle East environment.

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has demanded that Iran issue an apology following a drone attack in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic that left two people injured, according to Al Jazeera. In a statement published on the presidential website, Aliyev said the attack targeted Nakhchivan International Airport, its terminal building, a school, and other civilian sites. He described the incident as a cowardly assault carried out by Iranian state drones and called it a heinous act of terrorism.

Following the attack, Azerbaijan’s Foreign Ministry summoned Iran’s ambassador in Baku to demand accountability. Tehran, however, has denied any involvement in the incident. Aliyev emphasized that those responsible must be brought to justice and held accountable for their actions.

The incident has heightened tensions between the two neighboring countries, with Azerbaijan closing its southern airspace due to concerns over Iranian drone activity.

Bangladesh’s Health Minister Sardar Md. Sakhawat Hossain announced that a government doctor’s medical license has been suspended for six months after he was found treating private patients during official duty hours. The minister said the action was taken to maintain discipline in the health sector and ensure accountability among government physicians. The announcement came on Thursday, March 5, 2026, during a press conference at the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

The accused, Dr. Rajesh Majumdar, a junior consultant (pediatrics) at a district hospital, was caught on camera on February 26 visiting a private chamber while on government duty. Following the incident, the ministry issued a show-cause notice, suspended his license, and initiated departmental proceedings. The minister stated that similar actions would be taken against any government doctor found engaging in private practice during official hours.

He added that surveillance has been strengthened to detect such irregularities, including possible intelligence operations. The minister emphasized that the goal is to ensure patient care in public hospitals and improve doctors’ sense of responsibility.

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.