U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened to destroy Iran’s power plants if Tehran does not reopen the Strait of Hormuz within 48 hours. The ultimatum, issued late on March 21, 2026, demands that Iran allow free passage through the key global energy corridor or face severe consequences.

In response, Iran dismissed the threat and issued a counter-warning. The Iranian military, citing Fars News Agency, stated that any attack on Iran’s energy or power infrastructure would trigger retaliatory strikes on all U.S. and allied energy, information technology, and desalination facilities across the region. Tehran reaffirmed its earlier warnings that any violation of its infrastructure would be met with a broad regional response.

The exchange of threats has heightened tensions in the Gulf, where the Strait of Hormuz remains a critical route for global oil shipments. The situation underscores the fragility of regional stability and the potential for escalation if diplomatic channels fail to ease the standoff.

According to Iran’s Mehr News Agency, an Iranian official announced that the Strait of Hormuz will remain open to all types of vessels, provided that adequate security and safety are ensured. However, ships connected to what Iran defines as 'enemy' countries will not be granted this access. The statement was made by Ali Mousavi, Iran’s representative to the International Maritime Organization (IMO).

Mousavi attributed the current disruption of this vital oil transport route to the 'aggression' of the United States and Israel. He emphasized that diplomacy remains Iran’s top priority, but achieving it requires a complete end to aggression and the rebuilding of mutual trust and confidence.

The announcement underscores Iran’s conditional approach to maritime access in the region, linking navigation rights to political and security considerations amid ongoing tensions in the Gulf.

Iran’s representative to the International Maritime Organization (IMO), Ali Mousavi, stated that foreign vessels can continue to pass through the Strait of Hormuz in coordination with the Iranian government for security and safety reasons. Mousavi, who also serves as Iran’s ambassador to the United Kingdom, told Mehr News Agency that while Iran will uphold its international obligations, other nations must also respect Iran’s regional integrity and rights.

He added that Iran is ready to cooperate with the IMO and other countries to enhance maritime safety and protect sailors. Mousavi emphasized that the Strait of Hormuz is closed only to Iran’s enemies. He further claimed that the current situation in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz stems from the ongoing conflict involving the United States and Israel.

The statement highlights Iran’s attempt to balance international maritime cooperation with its stance against adversarial nations, amid heightened regional instability.

Former FBI Director Robert Mueller has died at the age of 81, according to a family statement cited by US media. Reports said he passed away late Friday night, though the location and cause of death were not disclosed. Former President Donald Trump reacted on his social media platform, writing that Mueller’s death meant he could no longer harm innocent people, AFP reported from Washington.

Mueller served as FBI Director for 12 years, beginning just days before the September 11, 2001, attacks. He strengthened the agency’s counterterrorism operations and later became special counsel for the US Department of Justice to investigate possible Russian interference in Trump’s 2016 campaign. His two-year investigation led to charges against 34 individuals and three entities, including six of Trump’s associates.

Before the politically sensitive Russia probe, Mueller had a strong reputation in Washington, having served under both Democratic and Republican presidents. A decorated Vietnam War veteran and former Marine, he was known for his professionalism and strict work ethic, earning respect across party lines.

A joint team of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police’s Detective Branch (DB), Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime (CTTC) unit, and Cox’s Bazar district police arrested Arif Mainuddin, aged 50, for allegedly impersonating a Prime Minister’s adviser. He was detained around 1:30 a.m. on March 21 in the Chakaria area of Cox’s Bazar. The arrest was announced at a press briefing at the DMP Media Center on Sunday by DB chief Shafiqul Islam.

According to police, Mainuddin created a fake government gazette dated February 17, 2026, claiming he had been appointed as an adviser to the Prime Minister with the rank of state minister. He used this forged document to deceive individuals in both public and private sectors. Investigators also found that he had produced counterfeit visiting cards and used a falsified government logo and letterhead to circulate another fake gazette on February 10, 2026, declaring himself a specially honored person of the state.

Authorities recovered false gazettes, visiting cards with the Prime Minister’s photo, and two mobile phones from his possession. Legal proceedings against him are underway.

US Democratic Senator Chris Murphy has claimed that President Donald Trump has lost control of the ongoing war against Iran and is now deeply anxious. Murphy, a key member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said the joint US-Israel military operation has entered its fourth week, drawing increasing criticism from lawmakers.

He alleged that Trump’s war strategy is failing and that the situation is becoming increasingly complex. Earlier, Trump had threatened to destroy Iran’s power plants if the Iranian government did not reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Murphy had previously described the campaign as “Trump’s mad war,” warning that the sharp rise in fuel prices was beginning to affect the entire US economy.

The report, citing Al Jazeera, highlights growing political tension in Washington as the conflict continues without clear resolution or congressional consensus.

U.S. Democratic lawmaker Yasamin Ansari from Arizona sharply criticized President Donald Trump for his recent threats against Iran. Ansari accused the White House of being led by a 'mad dictator' determined to push the country and the world toward destruction. Her comments came after Trump warned that Iran’s power plants would be destroyed if the country failed to fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz within 48 hours.

In a statement, Ansari described Trump’s stance as extremely dangerous, citing his shift from promising help to Iranian protesters to threatening war crimes against an entire population. The lawmaker, whose parents immigrated from Iran, has previously condemned Trump’s military actions toward Iran as reckless and illegal, warning that such decisions could lead to severe consequences, including the loss of American soldiers’ lives.

The exchange underscores ongoing tensions between the Trump administration and critics within the U.S. over its handling of Iran policy and military threats in the region.

Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury stated that despite the ongoing war in the Middle East, Bangladesh has not experienced any impact on commodity prices. He said fuel prices and transport fares have remained stable and there has been no fuel shortage. The minister made these remarks on Sunday at a post-Eid Mezban gathering at his residence in Mehedibagh, Chattogram, emphasizing that the country is progressing normally and will continue to do so with public cooperation.

He added that the stable democratic environment in Bangladesh is reflected in the people's expressions of freedom and joy during Eid. According to him, the elected democratic government has ensured that citizens feel a sense of ownership and participation in national progress. Chowdhury urged citizens to maintain cooperation and restraint to sustain the country's forward momentum.

The Mezban event was attended by leaders and activists from BNP and its affiliated organizations, creating a festive atmosphere of Eid reunion. Similar gatherings were also organized by the Chattogram City Mayor and several Members of Parliament, who said such events strengthen unity and fraternity within the party.

Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Defense reported that three ballistic missiles were launched toward areas near the capital, Riyadh, early Sunday. According to a ministry spokesperson, one missile was intercepted while the other two landed in uninhabited zones. The country’s civil defense issued an early morning alert, which was withdrawn within seven minutes after confirming the threat had subsided. The ministry also stated that five drones were intercepted after midnight.

The attacks come as Iran continues to target Saudi Arabia and its Gulf neighbors in response to U.S.-Israeli strikes that have intensified regional conflict. Several of these assaults have reportedly targeted energy facilities in oil-rich nations, raising fears of sudden disruptions in global energy supplies.

The latest missile and drone incidents underscore the growing instability across the Gulf region and the potential risks to vital energy infrastructure if hostilities persist.

Fuel unloading operations at Chattogram Port are continuing at full capacity to maintain stable electricity generation and ensure national energy security. Since March 3, following the outbreak of war in the Middle East, 25 fuel-carrying vessels have been successfully unloaded. One vessel is currently discharging fuel at the jetty, another is waiting offshore, and two more are en route to Bangladesh by sea.

According to port sources, the unloaded cargoes include LNG, LPG, diesel, furnace oil, jet fuel, and octane, essential for domestic transport and industrial operations. Shipping officials said energy imports are being prioritized, keeping vessel arrivals steady and unloading processes expedited. The LPG SEVAN vessel from Oman is currently unloading LPG, while the AB OLIVIA from Thailand has brought base oil to meet lubricant demand.

Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation described the completion of 25 unloadings in less than a month as a major success, ensuring no artificial fuel shortage. Port authorities noted that timely unloading saves millions of taka and stabilizes the market, supporting the country’s economic momentum if the incoming vessels arrive as scheduled.

An Iranian missile strike on southern Israel caused extensive damage on Saturday, hitting the small city of Arad. Israel’s air defense system failed to intercept the missile. According to Israel’s emergency services, at least 88 people were taken to hospitals, with 10 reported in serious condition. Additional attacks were reported near Dimona, a southern city close to Israel’s key nuclear facility, where several people were also injured.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he spoke with the mayor of Arad following the attack and described the situation as an “extremely difficult evening” for the city. In a message posted on social media platform X, he announced that emergency response forces working in the field would be further strengthened and urged citizens to follow safety instructions.

Netanyahu also stated that Israel remains determined to continue striking its enemies on all fronts, signaling a firm stance following the Iranian assault.

At least six people were killed and more than one hundred injured when an Iranian missile struck the southern Israeli city of Arad, according to local media reports on March 22, 2026. Emergency teams rescued sixty-four injured individuals from the site, with seven reported in critical condition and fifteen moderately wounded.

Following the attack, the Israeli cabinet held an emergency phone meeting to discuss the situation in Arad and nearby Dimona. The Israeli military confirmed that a 450-kilogram Iranian rocket hit Arad and acknowledged that it failed to intercept the missile.

The incident has further intensified the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran, sparking renewed regional tension, according to the report.

United States President Donald Trump has warned that Iran’s power plants will be “obliterated” if Tehran fails to fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz within two days. The threat came as Israel launched new attacks on Tehran, with explosions reported in the eastern part of the Iranian capital. The developments mark the 23rd day of the ongoing US-Israel war on Iran.

In response, Iran has continued its retaliatory strikes against Israel and other regional countries. Nearly 100 people were reported injured after Iranian missiles hit towns near an Israeli nuclear facility. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the situation as “a very difficult evening in the battle for our future,” following strikes on the towns of Arad and Dimona.

The escalating exchanges highlight the deepening conflict between the US-Israel alliance and Iran, with the Strait of Hormuz emerging as a critical flashpoint in the confrontation.

Saudi Arabia has ordered Iran’s military attache, assistant military attache, and three embassy staff members to leave the kingdom within 24 hours, citing repeated Iranian attacks on its territory. The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced the decision on Saturday, declaring the Iranian diplomats personae non gratae. The move follows a series of missile and drone strikes that have targeted Saudi cities and energy facilities since the start of the ongoing US-Israeli war on Iran.

According to Saudi authorities, hundreds of Iranian projectiles have been launched toward the kingdom, most of which were intercepted. Recent incidents include drone attacks on energy infrastructure in eastern Saudi Arabia and Riyadh, as well as disruptions at the Red Sea port of Yanbu after a drone struck the nearby SAMREF refinery. The port remains Saudi Arabia’s only export outlet after Iran blocked tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.

The expulsion comes days after Qatar took similar action against Iranian military and security attaches. Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud said earlier that trust in Iran had been “shattered” and warned that continued attacks would have serious consequences for bilateral relations.

OpenAI is preparing to launch a desktop “superapp” that will combine its ChatGPT application, coding platform Codex, and browser into a single unified product. The initiative aims to simplify the user experience and strengthen the company’s focus on engineering and business customers. The move marks a significant step in OpenAI’s strategy to consolidate its tools and make them more accessible through a cohesive interface.

The company’s Chief of Applications, Fidji Simo, will lead the transition and coordinate with the sales team to market the new product. OpenAI President Greg Brockman, who currently oversees computing operations, will assist Simo in managing the product redesign and related organizational adjustments. According to an OpenAI spokeswoman, these leadership roles are intended to ensure a smooth rollout and alignment across teams.

The planned integration signals OpenAI’s continued effort to refine its product ecosystem and enhance usability for professional users, though specific launch details were not disclosed.