Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has declared United States military positions in the United Arab Emirates as legitimate targets following a US attack on Iran’s Kharg Island, according to Al Jazeera. In a statement published by Iran’s semi-official Tasnim News Agency, the IRGC said it reserves the right to defend the country’s sovereignty and territory by targeting the sources of American missile attacks.

The statement added that ports, docks, and shelters for US troops located in several UAE cities could be considered lawful defensive targets. The IRGC also urged UAE residents to stay away from ports, jetties, and areas near US military facilities to avoid potential harm.

Analysts cited in the report said tensions between Iran and the United States have sharply escalated after the Kharg Island strike, raising fears of a broader conflict across the Middle East.

The Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA), under the Ministry of Shipping, has announced special launch services to ensure safe and smooth travel for homebound passengers during Eid-ul-Fitr. To ease congestion at Dhaka River Port (Sadarghat) and provide alternative routes, launches will operate from Bachila terminal near Bachila Bridge and Shimulia Tourist terminal near Purbachal Kanchan Bridge. The services will run from March 17, 2026, until the day before Eid, with six launches from Bachila and three from Shimulia covering various river routes.

In addition to the special services, BIWTA will provide free porter assistance for elderly and female passengers at Sadarghat terminal from March 17 to March 28, 2026. Wheelchair services will also be available for sick and physically challenged passengers at both Dhaka and Barishal river ports.

BIWTA expressed hope that these initiatives will make this year’s Eid travel safer, more organized, and comfortable, urging public cooperation to ensure smooth operations.

The first session of Bangladesh’s 13th Jatiya Sangsad will run until April 30, with sittings held daily at 3 p.m. except on public holidays. The decision was made on March 14, 2026, during the first meeting of the Business Advisory Committee at the National Parliament Building, chaired by Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed. Prime Minister and Leader of the House Tareq Rahman and other committee members attended the meeting.

The committee discussed the agenda and duration of the session, setting a total of 50 hours for discussions on the President’s address. The Speaker was authorized to modify the schedule or working days if necessary. According to the Parliament Secretariat, a total of 468 questions have been submitted for this session—eight for the Prime Minister and 460 for other ministers. Additionally, 27 notices under Rule 71 and 97 notices under Rule 131 have been received.

Several senior ministers, opposition leaders, and the Deputy Speaker also participated in the meeting, reflecting broad representation in planning the session’s proceedings.

Iran is reportedly considering a new condition for oil tankers passing through the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz. According to a CNN report citing a senior Iranian official, Tehran may allow a limited number of tankers to transit the waterway only if the oil cargo or transactions are conducted in Chinese yuan. The move is part of a broader plan Iran is developing to manage tanker traffic in the strait.

The official indicated that while the global oil market remains dominated by the US dollar, Iran is signaling its intent to challenge that dominance. This approach aligns with recent trends where Russia, under Western sanctions, has increasingly sold oil in rubles or yuan. By following a similar path, Iran aims to support Beijing’s efforts to expand the international role of the Chinese currency in global energy trade.

If implemented, the policy could further shift parts of the global oil trade away from dollar dependence, reinforcing China’s influence in energy markets.

The United States Embassy in Dhaka has issued a new advisory for Bangladeshi citizens planning to travel to the US. Published on March 14, 2026, the notice warns that non-immigrant visas may be revoked if travelers lack sufficient financial means to support themselves or misuse government-funded benefits. Such actions could also lead to permanent ineligibility for future entry into the United States.

According to the embassy, the rule applies strictly to all categories of non-immigrant visa holders, including tourists, business travelers, students, journalists, and transit passengers. The message emphasizes that visitors must ensure they can cover their own expenses, particularly in emergencies or medical situations, without relying on taxpayer-funded services. Embassy officials noted that while financial proof is required during visa application, some visitors later depend on free or public services, prompting Washington to adopt a stricter stance.

The embassy urged all travelers to prepare adequate funds for their entire trip, including potential emergency costs, to avoid visa cancellation risks.

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed announced that discussions and decisions regarding the Constitutional Reform Council will take place in the National Parliament. He made the statement on Saturday, March 14, following a meeting of the Parliamentary Business Advisory Committee.

The minister explained that the meeting discussed the duration of the first parliamentary session, topics for discussion, proposed laws, and the time allocation for debate on the President’s address. He added that 133 ordinances issued during the interim government will be referred to a special committee. Until the formation of standing committees for various ministries, such special committees will operate under parliamentary tradition. The ordinances and bills will be reviewed in the committee and later presented to Parliament as reports.

When asked whether this process could be completed within the current session, Salahuddin Ahmed confirmed it would be possible. He said the Law Minister will present the proposal on Sunday, March 15, after which the special committee will deliberate and submit its report to Parliament.

State Minister for Textiles and Jute Shariful Alam announced that the government will reopen closed jute mills in a short time to create employment and diversify the sector. He made the statement on Saturday after inspecting the activities of the Textile Vocational Institute project in Bhandaria upazila of Pirojpur. The minister emphasized that jute is an integral part of Bangladesh’s heritage and culture, once known worldwide as the golden fiber.

He said that under the leadership of the Prime Minister, the government has taken initiatives to revive the jute industry in line with electoral commitments. The minister recalled that in 2001, a move was made to ban plastic and polythene, and the government now aims to rebuild public opinion against plastic use and encourage jute-based products. Various government offices have already begun increasing the use of jute goods, and plans are underway to ensure jute and sack use in daily necessities.

He added that despite the government’s short tenure, several plans have been adopted to achieve visible progress soon, including increasing jute and seed production, reopening mills, and generating new employment opportunities.

Water Resources Minister Farhad Hossain Azad announced that Bangladesh will plant 2.5 billion trees across the country over the next five years. He made the statement on Saturday at an emergency meeting organized by the Dinajpur district BNP at the Dinajpur Shishu Academy auditorium. The meeting was held ahead of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s upcoming visit to Dinajpur.

The minister said that as part of the BNP’s election manifesto, the government has begun implementing welfare programs such as family cards, agricultural loan waivers, and allowances for imams and muezzins. He added that the Prime Minister will inaugurate a canal excavation program on March 16 in Sahapara, Kaharol upazila of Dinajpur, under which 20,000 kilometers of canals will be dug nationwide, followed by tree planting along both banks.

Farhad Hossain Azad urged party leaders and activists to ensure the success of the Prime Minister’s visit. The meeting was attended by local MPs and leaders from various BNP-affiliated organizations across Dinajpur district.

Road Transport and Bridges Minister Sheikh Robiul Alam announced that the fuel rationing system for public transport in Bangladesh will be lifted starting Saturday night, March 14, 2026. The decision means buses and other public transport vehicles will have access to sufficient fuel supplies. The announcement was made in Gulistan, Dhaka, as part of the government’s effort to ease transportation disruptions caused by recent fuel shortages.

The rationing policy had been introduced on March 6 by the Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) to conserve fuel amid supply complications linked to the conflict involving Iran, Israel, and the United States in the Middle East. Under that system, motorcycles were allowed two liters of petrol per day, private cars ten liters, SUVs and microbuses up to twenty-five liters, and long-distance buses and trucks up to 220 liters daily. While the restriction has now been lifted for public transport, no new directive has been issued for private vehicles.

The government also indicated that monitoring will continue to prevent overcharging and ticket black marketing during the transition period.

Dhaka Electric Supply PLC (DESCO) has launched a special drive from March 9, 2026, to reduce excessive lighting and promote electricity conservation across shopping malls, markets, and residential and commercial areas under its jurisdiction. The initiative follows a directive issued by the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources on March 8. On March 12, DESCO teams conducted operations in several Uttara West locations, including Jamjam Tower, Rajlakkhi, and Garib-e-Nawaz Avenue, identifying and shutting down unnecessary lighting.

The drive was led by Special Metropolitan Magistrate Md. Hadiuzzaman, who warned that further violations would result in strict penalties and fines. Market and shop owners were urged to avoid unnecessary electricity use and maintain air conditioner temperatures above 25 degrees Celsius. Awareness leaflets were distributed among shoppers, pedestrians, and shop staff to promote the government’s energy-saving directives.

Similar operations were carried out on March 11 in Gulshan-1, Gulshan-2, and surrounding commercial areas. DESCO authorities have decided to continue the campaign across all areas under its coverage.

The Palestinian resistance group Hamas has called on Iran to refrain from targeting neighboring countries in its response to recent attacks. In a statement issued on Saturday, Hamas acknowledged Iran’s right to respond to aggression by Israel and the United States under international law but urged Tehran to avoid actions that could harm regional neighbors.

Earlier, on February 28, Hamas had condemned the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, describing it as a brutal crime. The group also noted Khamenei’s longstanding political, diplomatic, and military support for the Palestinian cause and its fighters.

The appeal reflects Hamas’s attempt to balance solidarity with Iran while discouraging escalation that could draw other regional states into the conflict.

The Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has maintained its money escort service to ensure the safe transport of large amounts of cash and gold ornaments within the city. The service aims to reduce the risk of robbery or snatching during the movement of valuable items. DMP has urged city residents, businesses, and financial institutions to use this service for enhanced security.

According to DMP sources, the service provides trained police personnel to escort and supervise the transfer of money or valuables from one location to another. This initiative helps ensure safety during transit and significantly lowers the risk of criminal incidents. Interested individuals can contact the DMP through the provided phone numbers to avail of the service.

DMP spokesperson Deputy Commissioner Muhammad Talebur Rahman stated that citizens should use the service when transporting large sums or valuables to avoid risks. He added that the initiative not only ensures security but also strengthens police efforts in crime prevention.

U.S. President Donald Trump stated that the Iran war would end when he personally feels it is time. He made the remark on Friday in response to a journalist’s question about when the conflict would conclude. Trump said, “When I feel it from within,” emphasizing that the decision would depend on his own sense of timing.

Trump also claimed that Iran has been “completely defeated.” In a post on his social media platform Truth Social, he asserted that Iran wants to make a deal that he will not accept. However, Iranian officials have pledged to continue the war, signaling no immediate resolution to the conflict.

The statements highlight a continuing standoff between the United States and Iran, with both sides maintaining firm positions and no clear timeline for peace.

At least 112 people have been killed in US and Israeli attacks on Iran’s Kurdistan province, according to the provincial emergency department chief cited by Tasnim news agency. The report added that around 969 people were injured, with 27 receiving treatment in general wards and five in intensive care units.

Since the war began on February 28, nearly 1,450 people have been killed in Iran due to US and Israeli strikes. In southern Lebanon, an Israeli attack on a health center killed 12 doctors, bringing the total death toll there to 773, including 103 children. The figures reflect the escalating toll of the conflict across multiple fronts in the region.

The report did not specify the immediate response from Iranian authorities or the broader international community, but the rising casualties indicate a worsening humanitarian situation in both Iran and Lebanon.

Land Minister Mizanur Rahman Minu announced that a nationwide cleanliness drive will be held every Saturday starting March 14, 2026, to prevent mosquito-borne diseases such as dengue and chikungunya. The initiative follows Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s directive to strengthen preventive measures and public awareness. Minu made the announcement while inaugurating a cleaning program at a canal near Baya Bridge in Rajshahi, organized by the district administration.

The minister emphasized the importance of destroying Aedes mosquito breeding sites before the monsoon season by keeping homes, yards, drains, and water reservoirs clean. He noted that mosquito-borne diseases have become a growing concern across both urban and rural areas. The event was held without any stage, microphone, or ceremonial arrangements, underscoring a focus on collective community participation.

Rajshahi’s district administration organized the program with support from the upazila administration and Nowhata municipality. Local MP Advocate Shafiqul Haque Milon highlighted that maintaining cleanliness and raising awareness are key to preventing dengue outbreaks.