Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that the country will not be influenced by pressure or threats from the United States and Israel regarding the Strait of Hormuz. In a post on social media platform X, he asserted that the strait is not closed and that any uncertainty in maritime traffic is not caused by Iran.

Araghchi added that ships are hesitant because insurance companies fear the war initiated by others, not Iran. He emphasized that no Iranian or insurance company will be affected by further threats. Earlier, Iran’s Foreign Ministry had issued a statement directly blaming the United States and Israel for escalating tensions and disruptions in the strategic waterway.

The remarks underline Tehran’s firm stance on maintaining control and resisting external pressure over the Strait of Hormuz, a vital route for global energy transport.

Bangladesh Army Chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman visited army camps in Rangamati, Chittagong Hill Tracts, on Sunday ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr. During the visit, he exchanged Eid greetings with soldiers stationed in the remote hill areas and commended their professionalism, dedication, and tireless efforts in maintaining national peace and order. He also instructed them to continue performing their duties with the same commitment in the future.

Senior military officials, including the Adjutant General of the Bangladesh Army, the General Officer Commanding of the 24th Infantry Division and Area Commander of Chittagong Area, as well as officers from Army Headquarters and other local commands, were present during the visit.

The visit underscored the army leadership’s engagement with troops deployed in challenging terrains during major national occasions, reinforcing morale and operational readiness in the Chittagong Hill Tracts region.

Dhaka Metropolitan Detective Police (DB) announced that efforts are underway to bring back two suspects arrested in India in connection with the murder of Inquilab Manch leader Shahid Sharif Osman Hadi. The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs are jointly coordinating the repatriation process, according to DB Additional Police Commissioner Shafiqul Islam at a press briefing on March 22 in Dhaka.

The two main suspects, Faisal Karim Masud and Alamgir Hossain, were arrested on March 8 by the West Bengal Police Special Task Force in Bongaon, North 24 Parganas district. After a four-day remand, they were presented before the Bidhannagar Sub-Divisional Court on Sunday. During the court appearance, Masud claimed he was innocent and suggested the murder might be part of a political conspiracy.

At the same press briefing, the DB chief also discussed post-Eid security in Dhaka, noting that law and order remained stable and police patrols have been intensified across key city areas.

Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has threatened to target financial institutions investing in US Treasury bonds. His warning came after US President Donald Trump issued a 48-hour ultimatum to open the Strait of Hormuz, escalating tensions between the two countries. Ghalibaf posted on social media that institutions financing the US military budget are legitimate targets and claimed that US Treasury bonds are stained with Iranian blood.

He further stated that Iran is monitoring the activities of such investors and described his message as a final warning. Earlier, Ghalibaf had cautioned that if the United States attacked Iran’s power plants, Tehran would retaliate by striking regional infrastructure and energy facilities.

The threats follow Trump’s warning that the US could strike Iranian power plants if Tehran does not fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz, prompting a series of strong responses from Iranian officials.

Israeli forces have reportedly carried out artillery attacks using white phosphorus shells in the southern Lebanese city of Naqoura, according to Lebanon’s National News Agency. The bombardment was accompanied by ground fighting between Israeli troops and Hezbollah fighters inside the city. Local sources described the situation as increasingly tense, with the alleged use of phosphorus munitions raising potential international concern due to strict restrictions on such weapons.

In addition to the Naqoura assault, Israeli forces launched a second strike on the strategic Qasmiya Bridge in southern Lebanon, Al Jazeera Arabic reported. The bridge is considered a key communication link in the region. Separately, Israeli aircraft also targeted the eastern Lebanese city of Majdal Salem.

No immediate details were available regarding casualties or damage from the attacks. Authorities indicated that further information would be provided as it becomes available.

At least four people were killed in Israeli airstrikes on the Gaza Strip, including a police officer, according to Palestinian health officials. The attacks, which reportedly violate an October ceasefire agreement, occurred in central and northern Gaza. In Nuseirat refugee camp, three members of the Hamas-controlled police force were killed when a police vehicle was targeted, and at least ten others were injured and treated at Al-Awda Hospital. Another strike in Sheikh Radwan, northern Gaza, killed a leader linked to a Fatah-affiliated armed group, with several others wounded.

Reports from Wafa and Reuters confirmed the incidents. The intensity of Israeli attacks had decreased after the outbreak of war between the United States, Israel, and Iran on February 28, but has recently increased again. Gaza health officials said dozens of Palestinians have been killed in Israeli strikes since that period.

The renewed escalation raises concerns about the fragility of the ceasefire and the ongoing humanitarian toll in Gaza.

Mokhsedul Kamal has been appointed as the new chairman of the Bangladesh Cricket Board’s (BCB) Media and Communications Committee. The announcement was made on March 23, 2026. Kamal, who previously served as the committee’s vice chairman, replaces Amzad Hossain, who had held the position since October 2025. In addition to his new role, Kamal continues to serve as the chairman of BCB’s Welfare Committee.

Following his appointment, Kamal expressed gratitude for the continued support and guidance he has received, emphasizing his optimism about working collectively to create a positive impact and elevate the board’s media operations. He also sought cooperation from all stakeholders as he begins his new responsibilities.

The leadership change marks a continuation of internal restructuring within the BCB’s administrative committees, aimed at strengthening communication and media engagement within the organization.

Israel is facing a growing number of displaced residents following Iranian attacks that caused extensive damage in the southern cities of Dimona and Arad. The strikes, which occurred on the night of March 21, left more than a thousand people homeless and led to over ten thousand compensation claims being filed with the government. The attacks came on the 23rd day of joint U.S.-Israeli operations in Iran, to which Tehran has been responding with drones and missiles developed using its own technology.

Continuous air raid sirens have made daily life increasingly difficult for civilians, forcing many to remain near shelters or safe rooms for long periods. The situation has also exposed disparities, as Palestinian citizens of Israel reportedly lack access to the same protective infrastructure. Public frustration is rising, illustrated by an incident in which a resident confronted National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir during his visit to a damaged area.

The ongoing conflict is straining Israel’s social and economic structures, and public confidence in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is reportedly weakening.

The Bangladesh national football team conducted a one-and-a-half-hour training session on Sunday at the Youth Training Centre in Vietnam ahead of their upcoming FIFA international friendly. It was the team’s first on-field practice after arriving in Vietnam, following travel fatigue. Under the supervision of the coaching staff, players focused on fitness, ball control, and tactical drills.

Head coach Javier Cabrera said in a video message from the Bangladesh Football Federation that the short session was effective and covered several tactical aspects. Senior midfielder Sohel Rana noted that the session was important for both recovery and planning for the Vietnam match, which will help in preparing for the upcoming Asian Cup qualifier against Singapore.

The team arrived in Vietnam on Saturday and will play a friendly match there as part of their preparation. England-based player Hamza Choudhury’s arrival has been delayed by two days, and he is expected to join the squad on Tuesday, March 24.

Iran has warned that it will deliver a proportional response to any attack targeting its critical infrastructure. The warning came from Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi after U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to strike key Iranian facilities, according to Al Jazeera. Gharibabadi stated that threats against power plants and other vital installations amount to targeting civilian sites, which violates international laws of war.

He further said that Iran would exercise its inherent right to self-defense, citing the United Nations Security Council’s failure to prevent aggression and uphold international law. Gharibabadi emphasized that any escalation would be the responsibility of those initiating attacks. The statement was reported by Iran’s state news agency Mehr.

The firm message from Tehran follows Trump’s remarks suggesting possible strikes on Iranian power infrastructure, signaling heightened tensions between the two nations over potential military actions.

With the start of the seven-day Eid-ul-Fitr holiday, the Sundarbans—the world’s largest mangrove forest—and various tourist spots in Mongla have seen a surge of visitors. From morning to evening, areas such as Mongla’s children’s park and marine drive are crowded with tourists. After a quiet Ramadan, most hotels and resorts in Mongla are now fully booked, and tourism officials expect the highest visitor turnout between March 22 and 24.

Local businesses and the administration have strengthened security and arranged special entertainment programs and services to welcome tourists. Visitors from different regions are enjoying the natural beauty of the forest, rivers, and wildlife. A tourist from Dhaka expressed satisfaction with the environment and travel experience.

Officials at the Karamjal Wildlife Breeding Center reported that thousands of tourists are visiting daily, which is revitalizing the tourism sector. Business owners who faced losses during Ramadan are now operating with renewed enthusiasm, and authorities believe the increased tourist flow will help expand the local economy and boost revenue.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has declared that any threats against Iran will be confronted directly on the battlefield. His remarks were directed at U.S. President Donald Trump, who recently warned of possible attacks on Iran’s power plants if the Strait of Hormuz was not fully reopened. Pezeshkian made his response in a post on the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter.

Pezeshkian stated that attempts to spread fear and intimidation against Iran were only strengthening national unity. Addressing the situation in the Strait of Hormuz, he clarified that the waterway remains open to all except those who violate Iran’s territorial integrity.

The exchange underscores rising tensions between Tehran and Washington over control and access to the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a vital route for global energy shipments.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is facing increasing domestic and international scrutiny over the resilience of Israel’s air defense system following recent Iranian missile attacks. In separate addresses delivered in Hebrew and English, Netanyahu struck markedly different tones. Speaking in Hebrew, he described the overnight strikes on Dimona and Arad, which injured more than 180 people but caused no deaths, as a “miracle.” He urged Israelis to remain patient, saying the fight would continue as long as necessary to achieve victory.

In his English-language address, Netanyahu adopted a more aggressive stance, vowing to destroy Iran completely and invoking rhetoric reminiscent of former U.S. President Donald Trump. He asserted that the United States and Israel were fighting to protect the modern world and called on other world leaders to join their cause.

Analysts cited in the report suggest Netanyahu’s hardline posture reflects deep uncertainty about how long Israel’s air defense can sustain uninterrupted protection. Despite earlier claims that Israel had significantly reduced Iran’s missile-launching capacity, the attacks have intensified and continue to strike multiple locations inside Israel.

Iran’s health minister has reported that 210 children have been killed so far in the country’s ongoing war, according to a report by the state broadcaster IRIB. The minister also stated that 1,510 children have been injured as a result of the conflict.

He further noted that the war has caused extensive damage to Iran’s health infrastructure. Continuous attacks have so far damaged 300 health, medical, and emergency service centers across the country.

The report highlights the severe humanitarian toll of the conflict, particularly on children and essential health services, as the fighting continues to strain Iran’s medical system.

Researchers cited by Reuters have concluded that a US-operated Patriot air defense missile, not an Iranian drone, caused the powerful explosion in Bahrain during the tenth day of the Iran war. The blast occurred in the Mahazza area of Sitra Island on March 9, injuring 32 people including children and destroying several homes. Both Bahrain and the United States had initially blamed an Iranian drone for the incident, with US Central Command claiming the drone struck a residential area.

In response to Reuters’ inquiry, the Bahraini government on Saturday acknowledged for the first time that the explosion resulted from an interceptor missile fired by a Patriot battery. However, a government spokesperson maintained that the missile had successfully destroyed an Iranian drone midair, preventing greater loss of life. The spokesperson added that injuries and damage were caused by debris falling from the aerial collision, not by a direct ground impact.

Neither Bahrain nor Washington has provided evidence proving that an Iranian drone was involved in the Mahazza explosion.