Former army chief Iqbal Karim Bhuiyan told the International Crimes Tribunal-1 that he had no role in the eviction of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia from her Dhaka cantonment residence. He made the statement during cross-examination by defense lawyer Aminul Gani in the ongoing crimes against humanity case against dismissed Major General Ziaul Ahsan, where Bhuiyan appeared as the first prosecution witness.

During the third day of questioning, Bhuiyan denied multiple allegations, including taking steps to evict Khaleda Zia while serving as Quartermaster General, failing to act on enforced disappearances, and benefiting from government favors. He stated that he was abroad during the alleged eviction period and had no operational control over army operations related to disappearances. He also denied offering any proposal to divert investigations or accumulating wealth through undue advantage.

The trial is being conducted by a three-member bench of the International Crimes Tribunal-1, headed by Justice Golam Mortuza Majumder, with Justices Shafiul Alam Mahmud and retired District Judge Mohitul Haque Enam Chowdhury as members.

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has condemned the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, describing it as a violation of international law. In a message posted on social media on Sunday, Sharif expressed solidarity with the people of Iran following what he termed as Khamenei’s martyrdom. He conveyed Pakistan’s condolences and stated that the nation stands with Iran during this time of grief and sorrow.

Sharif further said that Pakistan is deeply concerned over the breach of international legal principles. His remarks came as Pakistan officially expressed solidarity with Iran in the wake of a joint attack by Israel and the United States. The statement also reiterated Pakistan’s call for adherence to international law amid the escalating regional tensions.

The development reflects Islamabad’s diplomatic stance aligning with Tehran following the reported attack, while urging respect for international norms and legal frameworks.

Former Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who served from 2005 to 2013, has reportedly been killed in an Israeli-US airstrike, according to several international media outlets. The Jerusalem Post, citing the Iranian Labour News Agency, reported on March 1 that the attack targeted Ahmadinejad’s residence in Narnak, northeast Tehran, killing him along with several of his bodyguards.

The report has not been independently verified, and Iranian authorities have not issued any official statement regarding the incident. Ahmadinejad previously held positions as governor of Ardabil province and mayor of Tehran before becoming president.

The lack of confirmation from Iranian officials leaves uncertainty about the accuracy of the reports and the broader implications for Iran’s political situation.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry has condemned recent attacks by the United States and Israel while diplomatic talks between Tehran and Washington over Iran’s nuclear program are ongoing. The condemnation came through a ministry statement issued following the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

According to the statement, the attacks occurred as Oman was mediating discussions between Washington and Tehran, with the latest round of talks held in Geneva on February 26. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated in the same statement that Khamenei’s path will continue, signaling policy continuity despite the leadership change.

The ministry’s remarks come amid heightened regional tensions and ongoing international focus on Iran’s nuclear activities, as well as the evolving political landscape following Khamenei’s death.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi announced that the country will choose a new supreme leader within one or two days. In an interview with Al Jazeera on Sunday, he confirmed that the constitutional process had begun following the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and that an interim council had been formed to manage state affairs.

Araghchi explained that the transitional council, established under Iran’s constitution, includes the president, the chief justice, and a cleric from the Guardian Council. This three-member body will oversee leadership duties until a new supreme leader is selected. The responsibility for electing the new leader lies with the 88-member Assembly of Experts, which is expected to make a decision soon.

The foreign minister emphasized that all developments are proceeding in an orderly manner according to Iran’s laws and constitution. He also warned that Iran would not accept any restrictions on its right to self-defense.

Iran launched retaliatory attacks in the Gulf region following strikes by the United States and Israel, resulting in three deaths, including one Bangladeshi, and 58 injuries in the United Arab Emirates, according to Emirati authorities. The victims reportedly included citizens of Pakistan, Nepal, and Bangladesh.

The UAE Ministry of Defense stated that its defense systems detected 165 ballistic missiles, of which 152 were destroyed, along with two cruise missiles shot down. The ministry further reported identifying 541 Iranian drones, successfully intercepting and destroying 506 of them. The information was cited from Khaleej Times.

The incident marks a significant escalation in regional hostilities, with Iran’s actions described as direct retaliation for earlier U.S. and Israeli attacks. The situation underscores rising tensions across the Gulf, with multiple nations now reporting casualties and heightened defense responses.

Iran has raised a red flag over the Jamkaran Mosque in the holy city of Qom following the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in a joint US-Israeli airstrike on Tehran. The flag, hoisted on Saturday, is described by Iranian media as a symbol of vengeance and a warning of severe retaliation against enemies at home and abroad.

According to state-run Press TV, the red flag represents the blood of the Islamic Revolution’s leader and the call for justice. Religious officials and clerics reportedly carried Khamenei’s portrait during the flag-raising ceremony. The gesture mirrors a similar event in January 2020, when Iran raised the same flag after the killing of Quds Force commander Qasem Soleimani in a US airstrike.

Reports indicate that the move reflects growing anger among Khamenei’s supporters and rising tensions across the Middle East. Following the attack, Iran launched strikes on US bases and fired missiles toward Israel, escalating regional hostilities.

Global oil prices jumped sharply following US and Israeli attacks in Iran, which have pushed the Middle East into renewed conflict. According to Reuters, Brent crude rose nearly 10 percent in over-the-counter trading on Sunday, reaching around 80 dollars per barrel. Analysts warned that if the current instability continues, crude prices could hit 100 dollars per barrel by Monday.

Ajay Parmar, director of energy and refining at ICIS, told Reuters that any military strike tends to drive oil prices higher, but the key concern now is the potential closure of the Strait of Hormuz. The strait handles about 15 to 20 percent of the world’s total oil, condensate, and petroleum products, and over 30 percent of liquefied natural gas shipments.

Parmar added that if the Strait of Hormuz faces prolonged disruption, oil prices could rise beyond 100 dollars per barrel. The majority of oil transported through the strait goes to Asia, with the rest to Europe, including about 24 percent of China’s total LNG imports.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has warned that Iran will continue launching strong attacks on facilities linked to Israel and the United States. According to a statement released on Sunday, he said the country’s armed forces would keep striking enemy military bases and destroying their positions, following the path set by Iran’s supreme leader.

Pezeshkian emphasized that the Islamic Republic’s military operations would persist as part of its broader defense strategy. He also referred to the martyrdom of revolutionary leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as the ultimate result of years of sacrifice, underscoring the government’s commitment to his legacy.

The warning comes amid reports of escalating hostilities, including claims of attacks on tankers and the deaths of Iranian leaders, as well as renewed threats from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to intensify strikes on Iran.

Kuwait has been struck amid the ongoing conflict that erupted after a joint Israel–United States attack on Iran. According to Kuwait’s Ministry of Health, one person was killed and 32 others were injured in Iran’s counterattack. The ministry confirmed that all injured individuals were foreign nationals and were admitted to Al-Adan Hospital’s emergency department for immediate treatment.

Fifteen of the injured were later transferred to Jaber Hospital for specialized care, while the rest remain under observation at Al-Adan Hospital, where five emergency surgeries have been completed. Ministry spokesperson Dr. Abdullah Al-Sanad stated that the injuries include chest, head, and abdominal trauma, as well as fractures and other serious wounds. All patients are being closely monitored under approved medical protocols.

The Health Ministry added that emergency and intensive care units remain on high alert, with coordination strengthened among healthcare departments to ensure rapid response and quality medical services during the ongoing crisis.

Bangladesh has strongly condemned the violation of sovereignty of several Middle Eastern countries, including Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement on Sunday, March 1, expressing the government’s concern following recent attacks in Iran and emphasizing the safety of Bangladeshi expatriates living in the region.

The statement warned that continued hostilities could severely endanger regional peace, stability, and the welfare of civilians. Bangladesh called on all parties involved to exercise maximum restraint, halt military actions, and return to diplomatic negotiations to resolve differences. The ministry expressed hope that peace, security, and stability would soon be restored in the region.

Although the statement listed seven countries whose sovereignty was violated, Iran was not included. The condemnation followed reports of a major military operation across Iran by Israel and the United States, which resulted in significant casualties, including senior Iranian figures.

The United Kingdom’s Foreign Office has issued a travel advisory urging British citizens to avoid all non-essential travel to Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates. The advisory, announced through a post on social media platform X, specifies that only emergency travel should be undertaken to these Gulf countries.

The post further instructs British nationals currently residing in those countries to register their presence and seek shelter where possible. The advisory comes amid heightened regional tensions, though the statement itself does not specify the reasons behind the warning or any particular incidents prompting it.

The notice underscores the UK government’s caution toward the security environment in the Gulf region, advising citizens to remain alert and follow official updates from the Foreign Office.

Israel’s military has claimed that a recent airstrike killed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei along with 30 senior Iranian officials. According to Israel’s Channel 12, the attack was carried out by the Israeli Air Force on Saturday and struck its long-time adversary within half a minute of launching the operation.

Israeli media reported that political and security officials described the strike as the beginning of a broader campaign expected to last several days. Reports highlighted extensive coordination between Israeli and U.S. military forces and the precision of shared intelligence. Defense analyst Yoav Limor warned that differences could soon emerge between the two allies, noting Israel’s readiness for a prolonged conflict. Veteran journalist Nahum Barnea commented that while the war may be a matter of choice for the United States, it is one of necessity for Israel.

Despite strong backing from U.S. President Trump, some Israeli commentators cautioned about potential shifts in American public opinion regarding the conflict.

Hundreds of Iraqis attempted to storm the US Embassy located in Baghdad’s Green Zone on Saturday following reports of the death of Iran’s supreme leader. According to a source quoted by AFP, the attempt had so far failed, but protesters continued trying to enter the heavily fortified area. Demonstrators carried flags of Iran-aligned armed groups and threw stones at security forces, who responded with tear gas to disperse the crowd.

Local Iraqi media also reported protests erupting in southern provinces. Several Iran-backed armed groups announced they would not remain neutral and vowed to defend the Islamic Republic. Kataib Hezbollah declared plans to attack US bases after two of its members were killed in an airstrike in southern Iraq. Additionally, explosions were reported near Erbil Airport, where US forces are stationed.

The situation reflects heightened regional tension following the reported death of Iran’s top leader and retaliatory threats from Iran-aligned militias across Iraq.

Education and Primary and Mass Education Minister Dr. A N M Ehsanul Haque Milan has called for creative proposals and effective initiatives to modernize and simplify Bangladesh’s education system. Speaking at a views-exchange meeting organized by the Directorate of Madrasa Education on Sunday, he emphasized that the ministry is a nation-building institution responsible for shaping the country’s future generations.

The minister urged the removal of unnecessary bureaucratic hurdles and called on stakeholders to review their work and propose improvements to make courses and curricula more relevant and productive. He announced that a new curriculum committee must be formed and its members selected within the current month to meet the 2027 target, with the process starting next week. He also directed that syllabus preparation be completed within the set timeframe through coordinated efforts.

State Minister Bobby Hajjaj requested practical and specific solutions to address challenges in the education sector, including coordination issues and administrative complexities. Officials from the Directorate of Madrasa Education and related departments attended the meeting.