US Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has called for an immediate halt to the ongoing US military campaign against Iran. In a statement posted on social media platform X, Schumer wrote that the war must stop, emphasizing that even Republican senators have admitted uncertainty about the administration’s objectives in the Middle East.

Earlier, Schumer had criticized the war’s financial burden, saying billions of dollars were being wasted and that fuel prices had risen to an average of $3.94 per gallon. The conflict, initiated under the Republican president with US and Israeli leadership, has become a major test for Congress, which remains under Republican control. While most Republicans continue to back the president, they are expected to face further critical decisions regarding the war soon.

The situation has also contributed to growing concerns about a global energy crisis, as reports indicate rising fuel prices and escalating regional tensions linked to the Iran conflict.

At least one person was killed in an attack on a state broadcasting center in southern Iran, according to the country’s official television channel on Monday, March 23, 2026. The Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) stated that the assault targeted a 100-kilowatt AM transmitter at the Persian Gulf Radio and Television Center.

Citing AFP, the IRIB described the attackers as an “American-Zionist terrorist force.” The British newspaper The Guardian reported that the strike violated international law and resulted in the death of a security guard and injuries to another staff member at the facility.

The incident comes amid heightened regional tensions, with recent reports of missile attacks and international appeals to halt hostilities involving Iran. However, no further details about the perpetrators or the broader context of the attack were provided in the official statements.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has called an emergency COBRA meeting on Monday to address potential economic risks to the United Kingdom stemming from the ongoing Iran war. According to The Guardian, Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves and Bank of England Governor Andrew Bailey are among the key participants. The meeting will assess the possible effects on households, businesses, energy security, and supply chains, as well as international responses.

The heightened tension follows Iran’s warning that it would target Gulf neighbors’ energy and water systems if U.S. President Donald Trump carries out threats against Iranian power plants. Reuters reported that the UK is closely monitoring the situation amid concerns over its heavy reliance on imported gas, persistent inflation, and fiscal strain, which have accelerated the fall in government bond prices.

Reeves noted that it remains difficult to predict the war’s full impact on the British economy. While rejecting broad cost-cutting measures for now, she said targeted assistance options are under consideration.

Iran has carried out extensive missile strikes across Israel, with explosions reported in Jerusalem, central, and southern regions. Authorities have issued emergency alerts and instructed civilians to move to safe shelters as Iranian missiles reportedly hit several areas. According to Al Jazeera, cluster munitions may have been used, dispersing smaller bombs that caused damage in at least eight locations. Videos of the destruction have circulated on social media.

The Qatar-based outlet reported that earlier alerts in northern Israel were later lifted, allowing residents to leave shelters. However, since Sunday, missile attacks have continued, particularly in the north, where frequent sirens have been sounding. The region has become a regular target not only of Iranian missile strikes but also of attacks from Lebanon’s armed group Hezbollah.

The ongoing assaults have heightened security concerns across Israel, with authorities maintaining high alert as the situation develops.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has sent a letter to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi conveying Eid greetings and expressing a message of strengthening bilateral relations. According to the Times of India, the letter was sent last Friday and emphasized the hope that the festival would reinforce the long-standing friendship between the two nations and deepen people-to-people connections.

In the letter, Rahman described Eid-ul-Fitr as a cherished festival that reminds people of eternal values such as compassion, solidarity, and harmony. He added that the occasion brings together diverse communities through sharing and generosity, wishing peace, prosperity, and happiness for all people in Bangladesh and around the world.

The report noted that Modi had earlier extended Eid greetings to Rahman and the people of Bangladesh. Following that message, Rahman sent his letter, which also reflected optimism about moving beyond past issues to advance Bangladesh-India relations.

An armed attack took place at the home of Engineer Osman Gani, general secretary of the Sarafbhata Union unit of the BNP in Rangunia upazila of Chattogram, on Sunday night, March 22, 2026. Osman Gani sustained gunshot wounds to his hand and abdomen, while his 70-year-old mother, Asiya Begum, was shot in the leg. His father, Rashid Ahmad, was also injured in the head. Relatives said Osman was additionally hacked on the hand and back, leaving him critically wounded.

According to reports, a group of three to four armed assailants carried out the attack around 8:10 p.m. at Ganjam Ali Sarkar’s house in Ward No. 2 of the union. Locals rescued the victims and took them to Rangunia Upazila Health Complex, from where Osman was later transferred to Evercare Hospital in Chattogram city due to his critical condition. His parents are receiving treatment and are out of danger, doctors confirmed.

Local BNP leaders strongly condemned the attack and demanded the immediate arrest of those responsible. Police from South Rangunia station visited the scene and confirmed that operations are underway to apprehend the attackers and maintain law and order in the area.

During the extended Eid-ul-Fitr holidays, Kuakata, known as the 'Daughter of the Sea,' has seen a massive influx of tourists. On Sunday, the second day of Eid, the 18-kilometer-long beach turned into a festive city as thousands of visitors from across Bangladesh arrived to enjoy the sea and nature. Although light rain reduced attendance earlier in the day, the beach became crowded by evening, with visitors engaging in sea bathing, horse riding, and photography at major spots including Zero Point, Lebur Bon, and Gangamati.

After a quiet Ramadan period, Kuakata’s tourism sector has revived with nearly 90 percent hotel and resort bookings. Local business owners expressed optimism that the surge in visitors would help recover previous losses. The natural beauty of the beach, enhanced by red crabs, migratory birds, and fresh vegetation, added to the attraction.

Tourist Police have implemented multi-layered security measures to ensure visitor safety, deploying officers at key points and maintaining plainclothes surveillance to allow tourists to enjoy their holidays peacefully.

State Minister for Youth and Sports Aminul Haque has clarified confusion surrounding Jaima Rahman’s football background and reports linking her to Chelsea’s youth team. In a Facebook post on Monday, March 23, he explained that Jaima, daughter of BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman, regularly played football while studying in London and once had an opportunity to play as a goalkeeper for Chelsea’s youth side. Aminul said he learned this from Tarique Rahman himself.

He added that Jaima did not pursue professional football because her parents, Tarique Rahman and Dr. Zubaida Rahman, wanted her to focus on academics. Aminul recalled a conversation with Jaima at a cricket match in Mirpur, where she told him she had been a goalkeeper like him during her school days. He noted that her height gave her an advantage in goalkeeping.

Citing European education systems, Aminul emphasized that sports are an integral part of children’s development and said Jaima had a strong passion for football but ultimately prioritized her studies. He said he issued the clarification because social media had exaggerated or misrepresented his earlier remarks.

The Bangladesh Meteorological Department has forecast thunderstorms, rain, and gusty winds in three divisions as a seasonal low-pressure area remains over the southern Bay of Bengal. According to the agency, the low’s extension lies over West Bengal and adjoining regions. The forecast issued for Monday evening indicates possible rain or thundershowers with temporary gusty winds in parts of Rangpur, Mymensingh, and Sylhet divisions, while other areas are expected to remain mostly dry with partly cloudy skies.

For Tuesday, similar conditions are expected in Rangpur, Rajshahi, Dhaka, Khulna, Mymensingh, and Sylhet divisions, with a slight rise in both day and night temperatures across the country. On Wednesday, Dhaka, Mymensingh, Chattogram, and Sylhet divisions may experience temporary gusty or squally winds with lightning and rain, while elsewhere the weather will stay mainly dry. Thursday’s forecast suggests possible thunderstorms in Rangpur, Rajshahi, Mymensingh, and Sylhet divisions, with temperatures remaining largely unchanged.

The overall outlook indicates a continuation of partly cloudy and mostly dry conditions across most regions, with localized thunderstorm activity in the north and northeast.

The Bangladesh Petrol Pump Owners Association has warned that petrol pumps across the country may shut down at any time due to fuel shortages and security concerns. The organization issued a statement on Sunday night describing the situation as dire, saying that the daily fuel supply from oil companies is insufficient to meet current consumer demand.

According to the statement, motorcycle users are waiting for hours to refuel, leading to frustration and tension at petrol stations. Pump attendants, referred to as nozzlemen, are struggling to manage the growing discontent among customers and are becoming exhausted from continuous duty without rest.

The association cautioned that if the situation continues, petrol pumps nationwide could close down because of inadequate fuel supply and safety risks, potentially disrupting transportation and daily activities across Bangladesh.

Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Md Asaduzzaman MP said that political criminalization and extortion by politicians must stop. He made the remarks on Sunday night at a views-exchange meeting titled ‘Thoughts of Jhenaidah residents on socio-economic development’ held at Johan Dream Valley Park Auditorium in Jhenaidah town.

Addressing political leaders, the minister stated that politicians should not expect tax-free cars or plots, citing the Prime Minister’s directive that members of parliament should not receive such privileges. He emphasized that politics should be transparent and aligned with the ideals of Shaheed Zia, urging leaders to abandon corrupt practices and work toward building a dream Bangladesh based on those principles.

Asaduzzaman added that the government’s first cabinet decision was to waive agricultural loans, which has been implemented. He also mentioned that the Prime Minister fulfilled the promise to provide allowances for imams, muezzins, priests, and temple attendants. The meeting was presided over by Jhenaidah Chamber of Commerce President Md Moazzem Hossain and attended by local officials and political leaders.

Workers have started returning to Dhaka after the Eid holidays, with a noticeable increase in passenger flow since the third day of Eid. From early Monday morning, launches arriving from southern regions began crowding the Sadarghat terminal. Many passengers said they chose to travel a day earlier to avoid congestion on the return journey.

Similar scenes were observed at Kamalapur railway station and Mohakhali bus terminal, where travelers returning from their hometowns gathered in large numbers. Passengers reported that this year’s Eid travel was relatively comfortable. Long-distance buses from various parts of the country began arriving at Gabtoli and Sayedabad terminals from early morning, with the highest passenger pressure coming from northern and southern regions.

Railway officials stated that the post-Eid return to the capital is progressing gradually and that the passenger rush may continue for several more days. Authorities have taken necessary measures to ensure safe and smooth travel for all passengers.

Hezbollah has claimed responsibility for multiple attacks targeting Israeli forces stationed in southern Lebanon. According to statements released by the group, rocket strikes were launched at Israeli positions near Yaroun, Marwahin, and Ad-Duhayrah, while artillery fire targeted troops in the Maroun al-Ras area. Hezbollah also reported using drones to strike an Israeli unit advancing from Maroun toward Khallat al-Bustan, asserting that the attack successfully hit its target.

Israel’s Walla News reported that seven Israeli soldiers were injured in southern Lebanon. The report described a “security-related incident” in which four soldiers sustained minor injuries, while another was hurt in a drone strike near a military unit in the same area. Additionally, two soldiers were slightly injured in a separate “accident” in northern Israel.

All injured soldiers were taken to hospitals for treatment, according to the report. The incidents highlight ongoing cross-border hostilities between Hezbollah and Israeli forces in the region.

The European Union has stepped up diplomatic efforts to resolve the ongoing crisis surrounding the Strait of Hormuz. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas held discussions with Iran and several regional powers, including Turkey, Qatar, and South Korea, according to reports from Al Jazeera and Reuters. On Sunday, Kallas spoke by phone with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, following a similar conversation earlier in the week.

An EU official stated that these talks aim to find a diplomatic solution amid the current tensions. The discussions covered the ongoing conflict, attacks on energy infrastructure, and growing international pressure to reopen the strategic waterway. EU officials have warned that renewed threats against key civilian infrastructure could affect millions of people across the Middle East and beyond.

The situation remains tense as international actors continue to push for de-escalation and the restoration of stability in the region.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Besent has stated that military operations near the Strait of Hormuz will continue until Iran’s military positions in the area are completely destroyed. Speaking to NBC News, Besent said the campaign aims to weaken Iran’s defense bases near the strategic waterway and will persist until those targets are eliminated. He claimed that the ongoing operations have already significantly damaged Iran’s military capabilities.

Besent criticized media coverage of the conflict, arguing that the American public is not being shown an accurate picture of what the United States is doing. He also rejected comments from Democratic Senator Chris Murphy, who had accused the Trump administration of losing control of the war and becoming detached from reality. Besent dismissed those remarks as false, asserting that Iran’s capabilities have been destroyed.

The statement comes amid heightened regional tensions, with reports of drone incidents in Saudi Arabia, strengthened defenses in Kuwait, and attacks in Lebanon, while the European Union seeks a diplomatic solution to the Hormuz issue.