A wave of drone and missile attacks targeting Saudi Arabia early Wednesday has intensified instability across the Middle East. According to international media reports, Saudi Arabia’s defense ministry said its air defense systems intercepted two drones over Hafar al-Batin and six ballistic missiles aimed at Prince Sultan Air Base, all destroyed midair with no casualties reported. The attacks came amid heightened military activity in Iran, Lebanon, Kuwait, Bahrain, and the Strait of Hormuz.

Inside Iran, police chief Ahmad-Reza Radan warned that protesters responding to foreign calls would be treated as enemies, following Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s social media appeal urging Iranians to rise against their government. Hours later, Iranian missiles struck near Tel Aviv, injuring several people, while Israel launched fresh airstrikes in southern Beirut. Kuwait and Bahrain also reported drone incursions and raised alert levels.

The United States claimed its forces destroyed ten Iranian boats in the Strait of Hormuz to prevent mine-laying. The escalating exchanges of airstrikes, drone attacks, and maritime confrontations have spread tension throughout the region, with no sign of de-escalation.

U.S. President Donald Trump has warned Iran not to place mines in the Strait of Hormuz, saying that if Tehran does so, it will face an unprecedented situation. Speaking on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump stated that there is no evidence Iran has mined the key shipping route but urged that any such mines be immediately removed. He added that removing already placed mines would be seen as a major step in the right direction.

The warning came after Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin held a phone conversation discussing the Iran conflict and prospects for peace in Ukraine. Following their call, Trump told reporters in Florida that U.S. and Israeli strikes against Iran were nearing completion and progressing faster than planned. Separately, Putin also spoke with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, urging Iran to reduce tensions and seek a political resolution to the ongoing war.

The exchanges highlight growing diplomatic efforts to prevent further escalation in the Gulf region while maintaining pressure on Iran to avoid actions that could disrupt global shipping routes.

Iran is pursuing a strategy to prolong its conflict with the United States and Israel rather than seeking a direct military victory. According to the report, Tehran aims to exhaust its adversaries through sustained warfare, using drone and missile strikes to spread fear and disrupt global energy supply routes. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has taken full control of the battlefield, directing attacks and overall strategy after the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in initial strikes. His son, Mojtaba Khamenei, has since been installed as the new supreme leader with IRGC backing.

Experts cited in the report describe Iran’s approach as an existential struggle, with some warning that the country has become more dangerous after suffering heavy losses. Iran has expanded its attacks across the Gulf region, targeting energy facilities in countries from Qatar to Saudi Arabia to pressure global markets and test Washington’s resolve.

U.S. President Donald Trump told Republican lawmakers that the war would continue until Iran is “completely and finally defeated,” though he predicted it would end soon.

Iran’s police chief Ahmad-Reza Radan has warned citizens against participating in anti-government protests, saying those acting under foreign influence would be treated as enemies. In a televised interview, he stated that all security forces were ready to defend the revolution and were prepared to respond firmly to any unrest.

Radan’s warning followed a social media post by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who urged Iranians to overthrow the current regime and seize what he called a historic opportunity for freedom. Netanyahu had earlier called for regime change in Tehran after a joint U.S.-Israeli attack on Iran in late February, and again on March 8 encouraged Iranians to rise for independence.

The warning also comes amid memories of the late-December wave of anti-government protests in Iran, which became one of the deadliest crackdowns in the country’s history. According to the U.S.-based human rights group HRANA, at least 7,000 people were killed during those demonstrations.

The Chattogram Port Authority has requested special security measures from the Navy and Coast Guard to protect 15 fuel-carrying ships currently anchored at various jetties and outer moorings. The request follows concerns that domestic and foreign groups might attempt sabotage amid ongoing instability. Four additional ships are expected to arrive within the week, ensuring sufficient fuel supply for the next one and a half months, according to port officials.

Officials cited past incidents of mysterious explosions on four fuel tankers following the fall of the previous government in August 2024 as a reason for heightened vigilance. The Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) confirmed that the country currently holds enough LNG, LPG, diesel, and crude oil to meet demand for six weeks. Customs authorities have also been instructed to expedite documentation and berthing processes for incoming tankers.

A coordination meeting involving the Navy, Coast Guard, and port stakeholders has already been held to reinforce security. While no specific sabotage intelligence has been reported, the port authority emphasized that the enhanced measures are precautionary to prevent potential disruptions in the energy sector.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman inaugurated the government’s ‘Family Card’ program on Tuesday at the T&T playground near Karail slum in Dhaka’s Banani area. The initiative, part of the ruling party’s election manifesto, aims to promote women’s empowerment, economic freedom, and social justice. Following the launch, financial assistance was instantly transferred to women’s bank or mobile accounts nationwide. The Prime Minister expressed gratitude for fulfilling the electoral promise and emphasized his government’s commitment to accountability and public service.

The event, chaired by Social Welfare Secretary Dr. Mohammad Abu Yusuf, was attended by cabinet members, diplomats, and senior officials. During the ceremony, 17 women received Family Cards directly from the Prime Minister, who was accompanied by his spouse Dr. Zubaida Rahman and ministers. Beneficiaries from Dhaka’s slums thanked the government for the support. The Family Card program, a key pledge of the BNP’s election manifesto, has begun as a pilot in 14 districts, initially reaching 37,567 women.

Rahman announced plans to expand the program to 40 million families within five years and confirmed progress on a similar ‘Farmer Card’ initiative. He reiterated that while global conditions may delay some promises, the government remains committed to its pledges.

Iran launched a new missile attack on Israel late Tuesday night, Bangladesh time, after a period of relative calm. The missiles triggered warning sirens across Tel Aviv, Israel’s commercial capital. According to reports, the assault was part of Iran’s ongoing campaign named “Operation True Promise-4.”

A spokesperson for Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya Armed Forces Headquarters stated that the latest strikes targeted Israel’s energy infrastructure. The attacks reportedly hit oil and gas refineries and storage tanks in the northern city of Haifa, as well as a satellite communication center near Tel Aviv. The Iranian military described the operation as a retaliatory move following an earlier attack on its own oil depots.

The renewed hostilities mark the 33rd phase of Iran’s “Operation True Promise-4,” signaling continued escalation between the two countries. The situation has heightened alert levels in Israel’s major cities as both sides exchange strikes.

Andreas Krieg, an associate professor of security studies at King’s College London, stated that the United States and Israel are unlikely to maintain the same stance on how long to continue the ongoing war surrounding Iran. According to Krieg, the longer the conflict continues, the less benefit the United States will gain from it, as its advantages are diminishing each day.

He explained that Israel, on the other hand, shows stronger determination to continue the war and is less likely to declare its mission complete soon. Krieg suggested that at some point, Donald Trump might decide to end the war, indicating that he appears eager to reach that stage quickly.

The comments come amid reports of renewed missile attacks by Iran on Israel and the deployment of additional US B-1 bombers to a UK base, reflecting ongoing regional tensions.

A large-scale joint forces operation in the hilly area of Jungle Salimpur, Sitakunda, Chattogram, began at dawn on Monday but most top criminals escaped beforehand. According to Chattogram Range DIG Ahsan Habib Palash, notorious figures including Md. Yasin, Rokon Member, and Gafur fled through mountain routes before the raid. Despite strict secrecy, the hilly terrain and local networks reportedly helped the criminals receive advance warnings. The operation involved 3,183 law enforcement personnel, three helicopters, 15 APCs, 12 drones, and dog squads. Twelve suspects were detained, and no casualties occurred.

Field investigations revealed at least 11 early warning signals that alerted the criminals, including unusual police movements, social media activity, and helicopter patrols. Local residents said the area’s terrain and communication patterns made full secrecy difficult. Authorities recovered firearms, explosives, CCTV cameras, DVRs, and binoculars used for surveillance. DIG Palash and divisional commissioner Md. Ziauddin said the operation aimed to dismantle the network and restore public safety.

Two temporary police camps have been established in Jungle Salimpur and Alinagar to prevent the criminals from regrouping and to maintain long-term security in the area.

Three United States B-1 bombers have newly landed at the Royal Air Force (RAF) Fairford base in Gloucestershire, United Kingdom. The base is regularly used by the US Air Force for bomber deployments. This latest arrival marks an expansion of the US military presence at the site.

Earlier, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer granted permission for the United States to use British bases. According to London, the authorization was given to support defensive operations amid the ongoing conflict with Iran. The deployment is part of broader cooperation between the two allies in response to regional security concerns.

The move underscores the deepening defense coordination between the UK and the US as tensions with Iran continue. The presence of additional bombers at RAF Fairford may signal preparations for potential defensive missions in the near term.

Nepal held its first general election on March 5 following the Gen-Z-led uprising, marking a major generational shift in the country’s political leadership. According to results from 159 constituencies released by Sunday evening, 59 candidates under the age of 40 were elected to the federal legislature, representing 38 percent of the total. This marks a sharp rise from the 2022 parliament, where only 11 percent of members were under 40.

The Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) played a key role in this transformation, with 51 of the 59 young lawmakers coming from the party. The remaining young representatives include four from the Nepali Congress, two from CPN-UML, and one from the Rastriya Prajatantra Party. Notable new entrants include Balendra Shah, 35, from Jhapa-5; Sobita Gautam, 30, from Chitwan-3; Sulav Kharel, 28, from Rupandehi-2; and Rubina Acharya, 31, from Morang-6.

Analysts suggest the rise of young leadership signals potential policy shifts in education, governance, climate, and employment, though challenges may arise in aligning with Nepal’s entrenched bureaucratic structures.

US President Donald Trump announced that his administration will lift certain sanctions on oil-producing countries to help reduce fuel prices during the ongoing conflict between the United States, Israel, and Iran. He made the statement on Monday after talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, though he did not specify which countries or sanctions would be affected. The announcement came as crude oil prices, which had surged to about $120 per barrel on Sunday, fell below $90.

Trump also mentioned Chinese President Xi Jinping, noting the roles of Russia as a major oil exporter and China as a key importer. Following Trump’s remarks that the Iran war might end sooner than expected, oil prices dropped further and stock markets rose. Treasury Secretary Scott Besant had earlier said Washington was considering lifting sanctions on Russian oil, and the US had temporarily allowed India to purchase Russian oil shipments.

Putin stated that Russia was ready to supply oil and gas to Europe under conditions, as the Hormuz Strait remained closed due to the Iran conflict.

Lebanon’s Islamic resistance group Hezbollah announced that it carried out a drone attack on an Israeli military base located west of the Sea of Galilee. In a statement, the group identified the target as the 'Samson Base,' also known as Camp Shimshon, confirming the strike as part of its ongoing operations.

According to the report, Lebanon became involved in the ongoing war on March 2, after Israel and the United States jointly launched an offensive against Iran on February 28. Prior to this escalation, Israeli forces had already been conducting attacks inside Lebanon. Hezbollah, initially restrained, began responding in support of Iran following the aggression.

The incident marks another escalation in the regional conflict, highlighting the growing involvement of Lebanese forces in the broader confrontation between Israel, Iran, and their respective allies.

Inspector General of Police (IGP) Md. Ali Hossain Fakir has instructed all police personnel not to leave their workplaces without permission to visit ministries for lobbying. The directive, signed by the IGP on Monday, was confirmed on Tuesday by AHM Shahadat Hossain, AIG (Media) at the Police Headquarters. The order follows reports that some officers were leaving their posts during office hours to lobby ministry officials, causing embarrassment to senior bureaucrats and disrupting regular administrative work.

According to the directive, such lobbying activities have tarnished the image of the police and hindered daily government operations. The Ministry of Home Affairs and the Police Headquarters had previously issued similar instructions to all units and district superintendents, but the problem persisted. The new order reiterates that no police member may leave their workplace without approval and urges officers to refrain from unnecessary lobbying for promotions or other matters.

The directive aims to reinforce discipline within the police force and maintain professional conduct in interactions with government ministries.

Around 62 million people, mostly foreign workers, are currently stranded in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries amid the ongoing U.S.-Israel war against Iran. The GCC nations—Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates—collectively host about 35 million foreign residents, most of whom come from South Asia.

Foreign workers have long been a vital part of the GCC labor force, contributing to sectors such as construction, domestic work, security, and sanitation, as well as skilled industries like banking, technology, aviation, and healthcare. According to Global Media Insight, the largest expatriate groups in the region are from India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Egypt, the Philippines, Yemen, Sudan, Nepal, Syria, and Sri Lanka.

Saudi Arabia hosts the largest foreign population, followed by the UAE and Kuwait. These expatriates play a crucial role in building and maintaining the Gulf’s modern infrastructure and economy, with many considering the region their second home despite not being citizens.