Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has voiced deep concern over Israel’s increased military operations in Lebanon, which have displaced thousands of people. In a post on social media platform X, Sánchez said he had spoken with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun about the overall situation in Beirut and across the country.

Sánchez assured that Spain would provide full support and humanitarian aid to the Lebanese people affected by the crisis. He also criticized the growing tensions in the Middle East, declaring that it was time to stop the destruction and war. The Spanish leader has also been at odds with U.S. President Donald Trump regarding the ongoing conflict centered on Iran.

The situation follows reports of intensified attacks in Iran and Lebanon, with significant civilian and infrastructure damage, underscoring the widening regional instability.

A joint attack by the United States and Israel on Iran has triggered widespread conflict across the Middle East, severely disrupting global energy and transport systems. Several sea and air routes have been closed, pushing up fuel prices and forcing shipping companies to reroute vessels. Sea-Land Shipping has already raised container transport charges on the China-Bangladesh route by USD 200–300 per 40-foot container, while other companies are preparing similar increases. Additional war surcharges are expected to be announced soon, threatening Bangladesh’s export and import sectors, especially the ready-made garment industry.

Sources report that the closure of the Hormuz Strait, a key energy transport route controlled by Iran, has left about 140 mother vessels carrying 350,000 containers stranded in the Gulf region. Shipping operators are reorganizing routes through longer paths such as the Cape of Good Hope, increasing costs by at least 35 percent and adding 12–15 days to delivery times. Air freight rates have also risen by up to USD 3.5 per kilogram, with airlines avoiding several Middle Eastern countries for safety reasons.

Industry representatives warn that rising freight costs could sharply increase export expenses, deepening the crisis for Bangladesh’s garment sector.

Germany’s Defense Ministry announced that it has no plans to send additional troops to the Middle East despite escalating tensions in the region. In a statement issued on March 6, 2026, the ministry said Berlin’s current level of military participation in international missions will remain unchanged. The German Navy continues to take part in the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), but no further deployments are planned.

The ministry emphasized that Germany’s primary military focus is on NATO’s defense operations in Eastern Europe. The statement reflected Defense Minister Boris Pistorius’s earlier remarks in parliament, where he clarified that Germany is not a party to the ongoing conflict. The announcement comes amid reports of intensified hostilities in the Middle East, including attacks in Iran and rising regional instability.

The decision signals Berlin’s intent to maintain its existing international commitments while prioritizing European security concerns under NATO frameworks.

The United States Embassy in Kuwait City has suspended its operations, according to a statement from the Kuwaiti Foreign Ministry. The ministry confirmed that no American staff members have been reported injured so far. The U.S. Department of State emphasized that the safety of American citizens abroad remains its highest priority.

The statement further advised U.S. citizens currently in Kuwait to leave the country as soon as possible using commercial or other available means if it is safe to do so. Those unable to depart were urged to take shelter in secure locations. The announcement did not specify the reason behind the suspension or the duration of the closure.

The advisory reflects heightened caution for U.S. nationals in the region, though no direct threat or incident involving embassy personnel has been reported.

Israel’s Chief of Staff of the Defense Forces, Lieutenant General Yaal Zamir, announced that the country is entering the next phase of its military operation against Iran. He stated that the campaign aims to further weaken Iran’s ruling system and military capabilities. According to Zamir, Israel and the United States have strategically isolated Iran, leaving it in an unprecedentedly weak position.

The general said Israel has been conducting uninterrupted attacks on Iran for the past six days, progressing according to plan. He confirmed that the initial phase of surprise strikes has been completed, during which Israel established air superiority and reduced the effectiveness of Iran’s ballistic missile systems. Zamir added that the next phase will focus on further dismantling Iran’s military and governance structures, hinting at undisclosed upcoming actions.

Addressing the situation in Lebanon, Zamir remarked that Hezbollah made a strategic mistake by joining the conflict. He said Israel is now carrying out powerful strikes both along Lebanon’s frontlines and deeper inside the country.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has declared that Iran is fully prepared to repel any potential United States ground assault. His remarks came as the conflict involving Israel and the United States deepens. Speaking to NBC, Araghchi said Iran is not fearful of a US ground invasion and is waiting for such a move, expressing confidence that Iranian forces could resist effectively. He warned that any US ground attack would be disastrous for Washington.

Araghchi also stated that Iran is not seeking a ceasefire in the ongoing war. Referring to a previous 12-day conflict with Israel in June of the previous year, he claimed that Israel had been the first to request a ceasefire. He emphasized that in the current war, there are no victors, asserting that Iran’s success lies in its ability to resist its adversaries.

The comments come as reports indicate widespread damage to civilian infrastructure in Iran and continued missile exchanges between Iran and Israel, underscoring the intensifying regional conflict.

The United Nations refugee agency has reported that more than 330,000 people have been displaced across the Middle East due to ongoing warfare. According to the agency, around 100,000 people have fled from Tehran, while over 84,000 have been displaced within Lebanon. Additionally, approximately 118,000 people have relocated to Afghanistan and Pakistan. Although internal displacement within Iran is significantly higher, the number of people crossing international borders remains comparatively low.

During the same period, more than 30,000 people have entered Syria from Lebanon, according to the report cited by Al Jazeera. The situation reflects the widespread humanitarian impact of the conflict across multiple countries in the region, with Iran, Lebanon, Afghanistan, and Pakistan all affected by large-scale population movements.

The report underscores the growing regional instability and the strain on neighboring countries as they manage the influx of displaced populations.

Iran’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Alireza Enayati, has expressed appreciation to Riyadh for pledging not to allow its airspace, waters, or territory to be used by the United States or Israel for attacks on Iran. Speaking to AFP, Enayati said Iran values Saudi Arabia’s repeated assurances that its territory will not serve as a platform for aggression against Iran.

Before the outbreak of war, Saudi Arabia had supported diplomatic efforts to ease tensions between Tehran and Washington and consistently maintained that it would not permit its territory or airspace to be used for attacks on Iran. However, following the joint U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28, diplomatic relations between Tehran and Riyadh faced new challenges. Iran retaliated by targeting U.S. bases across the Middle East, including attacks near the U.S. embassy and energy facilities in Saudi Arabia.

On March 1, Saudi Arabia summoned the Iranian ambassador to express strong condemnation of the attacks. Deputy Foreign Minister Walid Elkhareiji reaffirmed Riyadh’s commitment to protecting its sovereignty and warned that indiscriminate strikes threaten regional stability.

European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas has said that the ongoing war in the Middle East is a direct result of the weakening of international law. Speaking at the University of Zurich in Switzerland, she argued that major powers have undermined the global order by taking unilateral actions. Kallas specifically pointed to Russia while also criticizing China and the United States for contributing to this erosion.

She stated that the current chaos across the Middle East reflects the consequences of the decline in respect for international law. According to Kallas, Russia’s aggression in Ukraine has encouraged other nations to act with a sense of impunity, further destabilizing international norms.

The remarks come amid reports of widespread damage in Iran and escalating regional conflict, underscoring the broader implications of weakened global governance structures.

The Lloyd’s Market Association (LMA), representing insurers in London’s maritime market, has welcomed a U.S. initiative to ensure safe passage for vessels not under sanctions through the Strait of Hormuz. The association emphasized that maintaining secure sea routes is vital for global trade and economic stability. According to Neil Roberts, head of LMA’s Marine and Aviation division, around 1,000 ships are currently positioned in the Gulf and nearby waters, about half of which are oil and gas tankers.

Roberts explained that most ships remain anchored due to normal security concerns among owners and captains, though insurance coverage for these vessels remains active. Since Sunday, about 40 ships have crossed the Strait of Hormuz. Data from maritime analytics firm Kpler, released Wednesday, indicated that vessel traffic through the strait has dropped by roughly 90 percent compared to the previous week.

The slowdown in maritime movement underscores heightened regional risks, with potential implications for global energy supply and trade stability if the situation persists.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi directly addressed U.S. President Donald Trump, declaring that his Plan A had failed and that Plan B would face an even greater failure. Posting on the social media platform X, Araghchi wrote that the attempt for a quick military victory under Plan A did not succeed and warned that any follow-up strategy would meet a worse outcome. He added that the opportunity for a unique agreement had ended with the last round of negotiations.

Araghchi further stated that the approach of prioritizing Israel, which he described as “Israel First,” always results in “America Last.” His remarks came amid heightened tensions between Iran, the United States, and Israel, as reported by Al Jazeera.

The statement underscores Iran’s firm stance against U.S. policy directions and signals that diplomatic openings for compromise have closed, according to the Iranian minister’s comments.

U.S. President Donald Trump has stated that he believes he must personally be involved in the selection of Iran’s next supreme leader following the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. In an interview with Axios, Trump said Iran would be “wasting time” if it attempted to appoint a successor without U.S. participation.

Trump acknowledged that Khamenei’s son, Mojtaba Khamenei, is being viewed as a possible successor but declared that he would not accept him. He described Mojtaba as weak and said he was unacceptable to him, emphasizing that the United States wants someone who can bring harmony and peace to Iran.

The president further warned that he would reject any new Iranian leader who continues the policies of the previous leadership, cautioning that such continuity could lead to renewed conflict with the United States within five years.

Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has threatened to unleash Gaza-style destruction on Beirut’s southern suburbs, warning that the area could face devastation similar to that seen in Gaza. The statement came after Israel’s military ordered residents of the entire area to evacuate. Smotrich, a far-right member of Israel’s government, made the remarks during a video statement while visiting Israel’s northern border.

He referred to the extensive damage in Khan Younis, a city in southern Gaza, saying that Beirut’s Dahieh district would soon resemble it. Smotrich accused Hezbollah of making a grave mistake and vowed that the group would pay a heavy price. He also claimed that Israel was striking at Iran’s leadership while simultaneously targeting Hezbollah. The comments were reported by Al Jazeera.

The warning marks an escalation in rhetoric amid heightened regional tensions, as Israel signals readiness to expand its military operations beyond Gaza if provoked.

The United Arab Emirates Ministry of Interior has issued a nationwide emergency alert, warning residents of a possible missile attack. According to the report, the government urged people to immediately take shelter in the nearest safe buildings and to stay away from windows, doors, and open areas. The alert was issued late on March 5, 2026.

The warning came about an hour after the UAE Ministry of Defense announced that it would respond to missile and drone attacks originating from Iran. Earlier, the UAE confirmed that it had intercepted six missiles and 131 drones launched from Iran, though one missile and six drones had struck its territory.

Authorities have not provided further details on potential damages or casualties. The emergency alert indicates heightened security measures across the country as officials monitor the situation closely.

National Citizen Party (NCP) convener and opposition chief whip Nahid Islam has called for the immediate formation of a constitutional reform council, warning that key state institutions are being systematically politicized. He made the remarks on Thursday evening at an iftar event in a Gulshan hotel, organized in honor of foreign diplomats to mark the NCP’s founding anniversary.

Nahid Islam alleged that the reform process promised under the July Charter has been disrupted, accusing the government of politicizing major state bodies such as Bangladesh Bank and the Anti-Corruption Commission. He emphasized that the establishment of the reform council is clearly stated in the July Charter and urged the international community to take note of the situation. According to him, depoliticizing state institutions is essential to ensure they serve public welfare.

His statement reflects growing opposition concern over institutional neutrality and the pace of promised political reforms under the July Charter framework.