An adviser to Iran’s late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei stated on Wednesday that the country has no intention of holding talks with the United States and is prepared for a long war. The statement was made by Mohammad Mokhbar during an appearance on Iran’s state television, according to a BBC report.

Mokhbar said Iran has no trust in the Americans and sees no basis for negotiations, asserting that the country could continue fighting as long as it wishes. His remarks reflect Tehran’s hardened stance amid ongoing regional tensions and strained relations with Washington.

The comments come as Iran continues to face regional instability, including displacement in Lebanon due to Israeli attacks and other regional security challenges, according to related reports cited in the same source.

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has accused U.S. President Donald Trump of breaking off diplomatic relations out of envy during negotiations. In a new social media post, Araghchi wrote that Trump viewed complex nuclear discussions as if they were real estate transactions, suggesting that falsehoods had obscured reality and led to unrealistic expectations.

Araghchi stated that the outcome of this approach was the severing of diplomatic ties at the negotiation table itself. He further alleged that Trump had betrayed both diplomatic relations and the American people who elected him.

The comments reflect continuing tensions between Iran and the United States, with Araghchi’s remarks underscoring Tehran’s frustration over the breakdown of talks and the perceived lack of seriousness from Washington.

Mojtaba Khamenei, considered a potential successor to Iran’s supreme leadership, narrowly escaped an assassination attempt, according to two Iranian sources cited by Reuters. The report did not specify the location or method of the attack. Mojtaba, previously described in a 2008 U.S. diplomatic cable as a capable and powerful leader, has been viewed as a key figure in Iran’s political hierarchy.

The incident follows the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was reportedly killed in a joint U.S.-Israeli strike on Saturday after serving 36 years as the country’s top religious authority. In the aftermath, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz warned that whoever becomes Iran’s next supreme leader would also be targeted, posting the threat on social media platform X.

The attack on Mojtaba Khamenei and the warning from Israel come amid heightened regional instability following the joint strike and ongoing displacement in Lebanon due to Israeli operations.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has described the joint US and Israeli attacks on Iran as the beginning of a 'catastrophe for humanity.' Speaking on March 4, 2026, Sánchez made clear that Spain does not support war and that the Spanish people stand against what he called a growing disaster. He strongly criticized the military actions and reaffirmed his country's stance for peace.

Sánchez recalled that the 2003 invasion of Iraq had made the world less safe and argued that a new war against Iran would not lead to a fairer international order, a healthier environment, or better lives for ordinary people. His comments came as tensions escalated following the attacks in Iran and the broader regional fallout.

In response to Spain’s refusal to allow US forces to use its bases for the Iran operation, former US President Donald Trump threatened to cut all trade ties with Spain, further straining diplomatic relations between the two nations.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has stated that the recent attack on Iran by the United States and Israel was inconsistent with international law. Speaking at an event in Sydney, Australia, on Wednesday, Carney said the assault was carried out without consultation with the United Nations or allied nations. He urged all parties to de-escalate the conflict quickly to protect civilian lives and property.

US Democratic Congress member Pramila Jayapal also criticized the attack, saying there was no justification for it. After a House briefing on the Iran conflict, she told reporters that no evidence had been presented showing Iran posed an imminent threat to the United States. Meanwhile, the US-based Human Rights Activist News Agency (HRANA) reported that at least 1,097 civilians have been killed in Iran since February 28 due to ongoing violence.

The developments come amid a series of regional escalations, including Israeli strikes in Isfahan and Lebanon and an Iranian missile attack on a US airbase in Qatar.

Israeli airstrikes in Iran’s central Isfahan province have killed five people, according to reports published on March 4, 2026. The attacks targeted several areas including Najafabad, Fereydan, Mobarakeh, Aran va Bidgol, Kashan, and Shahreza. Iran’s Tasnim news agency reported that fifteen residential units were damaged in Fereydan during the strikes.

The U.S. military stated that it carried out attacks on nearly two thousand targets in Iran, describing the operation as almost twice the scale of the 2003 Iraq invasion. Meanwhile, the U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) reported that since February 28, at least 1,097 civilians have been killed in violence across Iran, including 181 children under the age of ten.

The developments come amid heightened regional tensions, with related incidents reported in Lebanon and Qatar, and the United States advising non-essential personnel to leave parts of Pakistan.

Bangladesh’s Minister of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources, Iqbal Hasan Mahmud, has called on citizens to use electricity and fuel sparingly. Speaking at a press conference at his office in the Secretariat on Wednesday, he said the current energy supply is expected to last through March. Although some shortages may occur, he assured that the situation will not become unbearable and that the government is taking multiple measures to manage it.

The minister explained that the government aims to conserve energy through rationing and has increased border surveillance to prevent fuel smuggling, particularly diesel. He emphasized that there will be no load-shedding for iftar and sehri times during Ramadan. Mahmud also mentioned that global crises could affect Bangladesh but maintained that the current situation remains under control.

He urged citizens to cooperate by avoiding unnecessary lighting, especially in shopping malls, and noted that directives may soon be issued to restrict decorative lighting during the ongoing energy strain.

Qatar’s Ministry of Defense reported that Iran fired two ballistic missiles toward Qatar. One missile was intercepted by Qatar’s air defense system, while the other was neutralized from the US Al Udeid Air Base, the largest American military facility in the Middle East. No casualties have been reported by Qatari authorities.

Separately, a drone attack targeted the CIA station at the US Embassy in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Monday, March 2. A source confirmed to Reuters on Tuesday, March 3, that Iranian drones were used in the assault, though it remains unclear whether the CIA station was the intended target. The CIA has declined to comment on the incident.

The developments come amid heightened regional tensions, with recent reports of Israeli strikes in Iran’s Isfahan and Lebanon, and the United States ordering non-essential personnel to leave Karachi and Lahore in Pakistan.

The Israeli military has issued an urgent warning for residents of 16 towns and villages in southern Lebanon to evacuate immediately. The announcement, made on Wednesday, came ahead of a potential military operation against Hezbollah fighters. According to a report from Jerusalem citing AFP, the warning urged civilians to leave their homes and move to open areas for their safety.

The statement was delivered by Avichay Adraee, the Israeli army’s Arabic-language spokesperson, who emphasized the need for residents to act swiftly. The military identified the specific border locations affected by the evacuation order. The warning reflects heightened tensions along the Israel-Lebanon border, where clashes with Hezbollah have previously occurred.

The development follows a series of regional incidents, including reported Israeli strikes in Iran’s Isfahan and Lebanon, as well as missile attacks in Qatar and U.S. directives for non-essential staff to leave Pakistan, indicating a broader regional escalation.

At least 12 people were killed in Israeli airstrikes across Lebanon on March 4, 2026, according to the country’s state-run National News Agency. The report said six people died when a residential building was hit in the eastern city of Baalbek. Separate attacks in Aramoun and Saadiyat, both located in the southern part of the capital Beirut, claimed six more lives.

The agency added that at least 23 others were injured in the strikes, while two people remained missing. The attacks targeted both residential and urban areas, causing casualties and damage in multiple locations.

No further details were provided on the reasons behind the strikes or any official responses from the parties involved.

The US Department of State announced on Wednesday that non-essential American government employees and their families stationed at the US consulates in Karachi and Lahore have been instructed to leave Pakistan due to security concerns. The directive was confirmed in a statement released by the US Embassy in Pakistan.

According to the embassy statement, the decision applies specifically to personnel at the consulates in Lahore and Karachi, while operations at the US Embassy in Islamabad remain unchanged. The embassy emphasized that the move was taken as a precautionary measure in response to unspecified security risks.

No further details were provided regarding the nature of the threats or the duration of the departure order, and the State Department did not indicate any change in its diplomatic presence in the Pakistani capital.

Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan, spokesperson of the National Citizens Party (NCP), has called an urgent press conference to disclose his bank statement. The event is scheduled for Wednesday at 7 p.m. at the party’s temporary office in Banglamotor, Dhaka.

The announcement follows the emergence of anonymous corruption allegations submitted to the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) by a group claiming to be fans of Sakib Al Hasan. These allegations surfaced after discussions began about Asif Mahmud’s potential candidacy for mayor in the upcoming city corporation election. In response, he decided to make his financial records public to address the claims.

The press conference is expected to focus on transparency regarding his finances and to counter the unverified corruption accusations.

Professor Dr. Ehteshamul Haque, a kidney specialist, explained that fasting during Ramadan may not be safe for patients with elevated serum creatinine levels. He stated that when serum creatinine remains below 3, fasting can be allowed, but if it rises above that level, fasting should be avoided to prevent further kidney deterioration. The risk of dehydration during long fasting hours can worsen kidney weakness and increase creatinine levels.

He recommended that kidney patients who fast should drink adequate water and eat simple foods such as flattened rice, yogurt, and khichuri at iftar. Light meals like roti with chicken curry and fruits such as papaya, wood apple, apple, and pear are suitable, while fried foods should be avoided. Dr. Haque also identified nephritis, diabetes, high blood pressure, and repeated urinary infections as major causes of kidney disease in South Asian countries.

He advised regular serum creatinine and urine tests for those with a family history of kidney disease or chronic conditions like diabetes and hypertension to detect problems early.

The government of Bangladesh has issued a notification redistributing the portfolios of two advisers and eight state ministers. The Cabinet Division released the order on Tuesday afternoon, formalizing the new assignments across several ministries.

According to the notification, Prime Minister’s Political Adviser Nazrul Islam has been assigned to the Ministry of Agriculture, while Political Adviser Ruhul Kabir Rizvi Ahmed will now oversee the Ministry of Industries. Among the state ministers, Md. Shariful Alam has been given charge of the Ministry of Textiles and Jute, Sultan Salauddin Tuku of the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, and Habibur Rashid of the Railways and Road Transport and Highways Division. Md. Rajib Ahsan will handle the Ministry of Shipping and the Bridges Division.

Additionally, Junaid Abdur Rahim Saki has been assigned to the Ministry of Planning, Farzana Sharmin to the Ministry of Social Welfare, Md. Nurul Haque Nur to the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment, and Bobby Hajjaj to the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education.

An Iranian Navy vessel has reportedly sunk near the coast of Sri Lanka, according to Sri Lankan authorities. After receiving a distress signal from the ship identified as 'IRIS Dena' early in the morning, Sri Lanka deployed naval and air force units to rescue the crew. The vessel had 180 people on board, and 30 injured sailors were rescued and taken to a hospital in the port city of Galle for treatment.

Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Wijitha Herath informed parliament about the incident, confirming the distress signal and the ongoing rescue efforts. The cause of the sinking remains unknown, and no official explanation has been provided by either government.

A member of the opposition in Sri Lanka questioned whether the ship might have been attacked as part of ongoing hostilities involving Iran, the United States, and Israel, but the government did not respond to that query.