The United Kingdom has granted the United States permission to use British military bases for operations targeting Iran’s missile systems. Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced the decision in a video message on Monday, clarifying that the UK will not take part directly in the war. He said the move follows requests from allied nations in the Gulf region for stronger British involvement in their defense.

Starmer stated that British warplanes are already participating in joint air defense missions and have intercepted several Iranian missile attacks. He emphasized that neutralizing the threat requires destroying the missiles at their source, including Iranian storage sites and launchers. The United States requested access to British bases for what it described as “specific and limited defensive purposes,” and the UK government accepted the request to prevent further Iranian attacks that could endanger civilians and British nationals.

The announcement comes amid escalating tensions in the Gulf, including recent missile strikes on energy facilities in Qatar and attacks on oil tankers near Oman.

A total of 136 new books were released during the first four days of the Amar Ekushey Book Fair 2026, according to the Bangla Academy on Sunday. The second day saw 16 new titles, the third day 38, and the fourth day 42. The Academy does not count books released on the opening day. Among the new publications are 15 storybooks, 13 novels, 5 essays, 25 poetry collections, 5 research works, 1 rhyme book, 8 children’s books, 4 biographies, and 1 play. Additionally, six books cover science, travel, and history, while others include language, translation, science fiction, and miscellaneous topics.

Publishers said they are releasing diverse titles to maintain reader interest during Ramadan, with growing enthusiasm among visitors. Saeed Bari, a member of the fair’s organizing committee, expressed optimism that the event would conclude successfully as scheduled and help revive the publishing industry.

Visitors were seen buying both new and previously published books. Discussions and tributes, including one honoring artist Hamiduzzaman Khan, were also held at the fair’s main stage.

Incidents of post-election violence have persisted across Bangladesh following the 13th parliamentary election. Reports from multiple districts describe ongoing clashes, injuries, and deaths involving supporters of the BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami, and independent candidates. In Chuadanga’s Jibannagar, a Jamaat leader’s death in a clash with BNP activists led to a protest march demanding arrests within 24 hours. Police confirmed one death and said a case is being processed. Similar unrest has been reported in Bagerhat, Jhenaidah, Narayanganj, Mymensingh, Natore, Jessore, and Pabna.

In Bagerhat, repeated confrontations among BNP, Jamaat, and independent supporters have left one person dead and over a hundred injured since the election. In Jhenaidah’s Kaliganj, clashes at a BNP office injured police officers, while in Narayanganj’s Sonargaon, attacks on homes of opposition activists were reported. Other districts saw factional disputes over local dominance, fisheries, and tender allocations.

Authorities in several areas stated that cases have been filed and investigations are ongoing, though tensions remain high and political groups continue to hold protests demanding justice for victims.

Police in Dhaka have disclosed horrifying details of a murder following the recovery of dismembered body parts from different parts of the city. According to officials, the victim, identified as Obaidullah from Shibpur in Narsingdi, was allegedly killed by his roommate, Shahin, on the night of February 27. The killing reportedly stemmed from long-standing resentment over household chores and repeated arguments. After the murder, Shahin allegedly cut the body into seven pieces and disposed of them across several locations, including Paltan, the stadium area, and Kamalapur.

At a press briefing at the DMP Media Centre on Minto Road, Motijheel Division Deputy Commissioner Harun-or-Rashid said police identified the victim through fingerprint analysis after finding two severed hands near the stadium. Investigators later recovered other body parts from various sites and continued searching for the remaining pieces. Police stated that Shahin confessed to the crime during interrogation, describing how disputes over cigarettes, food, and loud phone conversations escalated into violence.

Authorities are continuing operations to locate the remaining body parts and complete the investigation.

Election Commissioner Abdur Rahmanel Ma’sud announced that preparations for local government elections will begin after Eid. He made the statement on Sunday at the Election Building in Agargaon, Dhaka, while attending the Best Reporting Award ceremony organized by the Reporters Forum for Election and Democracy. He said the Election Commission remains active year-round, organizing parliamentary, presidential, and local elections. The commission is awaiting the first parliamentary session to decide whether local polls will be held under party symbols or on a non-partisan basis.

Ma’sud emphasized that the commission is committed to conducting fair elections in accordance with the law. He also noted that journalists play a vital role in improving the commission’s work through constructive criticism. During the event, three reporters were recognized for excellence in online, television, and print categories.

Separately, the Election Commission has taken steps to move National Voter Day from March 2 to March 1. Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed confirmed that a letter has been sent to the Cabinet Division regarding the change, which aims to align with earlier observances and regional decisions.

The Supreme Court Bar Association of Bangladesh has postponed its 2026–2027 executive committee election to May 13 and 14. The decision was made at a special meeting held on Sunday at the association’s South Hall after candidates and general members requested that the election not be held during Ramadan. The election was originally scheduled for March 11 and 12, with nomination submission and withdrawal deadlines already announced.

According to the earlier schedule, nomination forms were sold from February 19, with submissions accepted until March 1 and withdrawals allowed until March 4. The special meeting suspended that timetable, and the association stated that a new schedule will be issued in line with the revised voting dates. The election will fill 14 posts, including president, vice presidents, secretary, treasurer, joint secretaries, and executive members.

The last election took place on March 6–7, 2024, and was marred by violence and allegations of vote rigging. Following political changes on August 5, an ad hoc committee was formed to manage the association’s affairs until the next election.

Two powerful explosions were reported in Tehran, the capital of Iran, according to two AFP journalists present in the city. They said they felt the intensity of the blasts from several kilometers away, with their apartment windows shaking during the incident. Al Jazeera reported that the explosions occurred around 9 p.m. local time, coinciding with an announcement by Iran’s state television that it was under attack. The specific targets of the strikes were not immediately clear, though state TV broadcasts continued uninterrupted.

Earlier, Israel had stated that it had launched a new round of attacks on Tehran. The report did not specify the extent of the damage or any casualties resulting from the explosions.

The situation remains tense as details about the cause and impact of the blasts are still emerging.

Seven Iranian military commanders were killed in airstrikes involving the United States and Iran, according to a report by Iran’s Tasnim News Agency on Monday. Among the dead are Major General Shahid Mohammad Siraji, head of the Supreme Command Office of Iran’s armed forces, and Raider General Shahid Saleh Asadi, deputy chief of the intelligence branch of the General Staff. The identities of the remaining five commanders have not yet been disclosed by Iranian authorities.

The report, published by Tasnim and cited by Al Jazeera, did not specify the location or timing of the airstrikes beyond confirming that both the United States and Iran were involved. The deaths mark a significant loss for Iran’s military leadership, particularly within its paramilitary Basij Force and intelligence divisions.

Further details, including the circumstances of the attack and official responses from either government, were not available at the time of reporting.

Police from Kotwali Model Station in Sylhet arrested seven members of an alleged mugging gang during a raid in the city on Sunday, March 1. The operation took place inside a drain near Rongmahal Tower in the Bandar Bazar area, where officers also recovered locally made sharp weapons used in the crimes.

According to Sylhet Metropolitan Police, the detainees had been involved in multiple mugging incidents across different parts of the city. Acting on a tip-off, law enforcement conducted the targeted operation and seized four sharp knives from the suspects. The arrested individuals are from various areas of Sylhet, Moulvibazar, and Sunamganj districts.

A case has been filed at Kotwali Model Police Station in connection with the incident, and police stated that the detainees will be presented before the court.

Residents of Fatullah in Narayanganj have temporarily stopped construction work on the Mukterpur-Panchabati flyover, alleging the use of substandard materials. The suspension began on Friday morning at the Kashipur section, where locals accused the contractor of using ordinary concrete instead of RCC and low-quality bricks. They demanded that authorities inspect the site before work resumes, citing concerns of irregularities and corruption in the mega project.

According to residents, poor-quality materials were being used in several parts of the flyover from the Samrat Cinema area to the Kashipur Union Parishad. They claimed that despite informing officials, no one had visited the site. Project Director Wahiduzzaman confirmed that evidence of substandard materials had been found and that the contractor had been asked for an explanation.

The Mukterpur-Panchabati six-lane highway project spans about 10.37 kilometers, including 9.6 kilometers of elevated expressway. Initially budgeted at Tk 2,659 crore, the cost was later raised to about Tk 3,300 crore, with completion extended to June 2026. Two Chinese firms are implementing the project.

Iran has shut down the strategic Hormuz Strait following joint attacks by the United States and Israel, disrupting a key global maritime route for energy transport. The closure has already slowed international sea trade and raised concerns of an impending energy crisis in Bangladesh, which relies heavily on Middle Eastern countries for crude oil, refined fuel, LPG, and LNG imports. Officials warn that prolonged conflict in the region could severely impact Bangladesh’s energy supply chain and increase import costs.

According to shipping and energy officials, around 15 vessels carrying fuel and gas for Bangladesh pass through the Hormuz Strait each month. Although Bangladesh’s refined fuel imports do not directly use the route, the countries supplying them depend on crude oil shipments through it. The closure is expected to raise freight costs and delay shipments, affecting both energy and trade sectors. Industry leaders have urged energy conservation and increased reserves to mitigate potential shortages.

Experts caution that if the Middle East conflict continues, Bangladesh’s limited 25–26-day fuel storage capacity could lead to severe disruptions. They recommend expanding reserves and promoting public austerity to withstand the crisis.

The Bangladesh government convened a high-level meeting to determine immediate actions following escalating conflict in the Middle East after a joint U.S.-Israel attack on Iran. Prime Minister Tarek Rahman met with ministers and senior officials to review the situation and instructed them to ensure the safety of Bangladeshi workers in the region and maintain energy security. The government emphasized proactive measures to manage potential disruptions in remittance inflows and fuel supply.

Energy Minister Iqbal Hasan Mahmud stated that Bangladesh is working to safeguard its energy sector, noting that current reserves and supply contracts should prevent short-term shortages. Energy Adviser Humayun Kabir said the country’s fuel stock is sufficient for now, and there is no cause for panic. Officials confirmed that Bangladesh has about 45 days of refined fuel reserves and ongoing import contracts through June, minimizing immediate risks from the closure of the Hormuz Strait.

Prime Minister Rahman is personally monitoring the situation, directing ministries to protect expatriate workers and assist stranded passengers. Economists warned that prolonged conflict could affect remittance inflows and foreign reserves if disruptions persist.

US President Donald Trump stated that the ongoing military operation against Iran could last up to four weeks. According to a report by Al Jazeera on Sunday night, Trump made the remarks in an interview with the British newspaper Daily Mail. He said the campaign was planned from the beginning as a four-week process and could take around that time or less. Trump added that Iran is a large and strong country, but the operation was expected to be completed within that timeframe.

Trump also mentioned that he remains open to further discussions with Iranian officials, though he did not clarify whether such talks would take place soon. He noted that Iran had shown interest in dialogue but suggested that they should have initiated talks earlier. The comments come amid continuing hostilities and uncertainty over the duration and outcome of the conflict.

The report did not specify any immediate next steps or responses from Iranian authorities regarding Trump’s statements.

France, Germany, and the United Kingdom have jointly announced plans to take defensive measures to protect their interests and those of their allies in the Middle East following Iran’s recent missile attacks. In a joint statement, the three European powers warned that they could strike inside Iran to destroy drone and missile launch sites if necessary.

The leaders of the three countries said they were shocked by Iran’s indiscriminate and unprofessional missile strikes in the region, particularly against nations not involved in the initial U.S. and Israeli military operations. They expressed deep concern over Tehran’s actions and emphasized their commitment to safeguarding regional stability and allied security.

Analysts noted that this firm stance by the European nations could further complicate and expand the ongoing tensions in the Middle East, adding new dimensions to the regional conflict.

US President Donald Trump claimed that American forces have sunk nine Iranian navy ships in a recent attack. In a post on Truth Social on Sunday, Trump stated that several of the destroyed vessels were large and significant. He added that US forces are pursuing the remaining ships, which he said would soon be sunk as well. Trump also claimed that a separate strike had nearly destroyed Iran’s naval headquarters.

The post did not provide details on the timing, location, or verification of the alleged attacks. The statement appeared amid a series of regional incidents, including reports of missile strikes in Bahrain and Kuwait. No official confirmation or response from Iranian authorities was mentioned in the source.

The claims, if verified, would mark a major escalation in tensions between the United States and Iran, though the source did not indicate any immediate follow-up or international reaction.