Bangladesh’s Commerce Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir stated that even if the Strait of Hormuz is closed due to ongoing tensions among Iran, Israel, and the United States, there will be no immediate crisis in food or fuel supplies for Bangladesh. He said the government has sufficient reserves to prevent any negative impact on market prices. The minister made these remarks on Monday after meeting Indian Ambassador Pranay Kumar Verma at the Secretariat in Dhaka.

Muktadir added that the government is closely monitoring the international situation and that Bangladesh has successfully managed similar challenges in the past. He noted that if the strait remains closed for a long time, ships would have to travel around the Cape of Good Hope, raising transportation costs and potentially affecting prices, though such a situation has not yet arisen. The government has prepared for essential goods and energy supplies and will observe developments over the next few days.

During the meeting, both sides discussed strengthening bilateral trade, digital infrastructure, and technology cooperation. India’s ambassador reaffirmed his country’s commitment to deepening trade ties and normalizing visa operations soon.

Adviser Humayun Kabir held a courtesy meeting with the Pakistan High Commissioner on Monday at the Prime Minister’s Office. During the meeting, both sides discussed a range of issues of mutual interest and expressed satisfaction over the outcome of the talks.

The discussions focused on strengthening bilateral relations, enhancing trade and investment, expanding regional cooperation, and promoting people-to-people contact. Both parties emphasized the importance of deepening collaboration between the two countries.

They also expressed a shared commitment to further consolidate mutual cooperation in the coming period, highlighting the desire to build stronger ties across multiple sectors.

In an interview with CNN on Monday, U.S. President Donald Trump said that the largest attack on Iran had not yet been launched. Speaking to host Jake Tapper, Trump described the ongoing military campaign as extremely powerful and claimed that the United States was using the world’s best armed forces. He added that the most significant wave of strikes was still to come and would happen very soon.

When asked how long the war might continue, Trump estimated it could last about one month, emphasizing that he did not want it to be prolonged. He said he had always thought it would last around four weeks. Trump also described Iran’s attack on Arab countries in the Middle East as a major surprise.

According to Trump, the United States had told Arab nations that it would handle the situation, but those countries were now eager to fight. He noted that their role was supposed to be limited, yet they were insisting on joining the conflict more aggressively.

The California chapter of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) organized an iftar and prayer gathering in Los Angeles on Sunday to seek forgiveness for the soul of the party’s late chairperson, Begum Khaleda Zia. The event, held in a local auditorium, was presided over by California BNP president Badrul Alam Chowdhury Shiplu and conducted by general secretary M Wahid Rahman. Political, social, and cultural figures from the expatriate Bangladeshi community attended the program.

Speakers highlighted the spiritual significance of Ramadan and emphasized unity, compassion, and national solidarity. Special prayers were offered for the well-being of Bangladesh, global peace, and the souls of late leaders Ziaur Rahman and Khaleda Zia. Participants also prayed for victims of political repression and for the recovery of injured grassroots activists. The gathering included prayers for the success of BNP’s renewed political journey under Tarique Rahman’s leadership and for his wisdom, health, and longevity.

Badrul Alam Chowdhury noted that such events strengthen fraternity among expatriate Bangladeshis and pledged to continue similar social and religious programs in the future.

Vasani Jono Shokti Party chairman and freedom fighter Sheikh Rafiqul Islam Bablu has denounced the joint military aggression by the United States and Israel against Iran, calling it a grave violation of human rights. Speaking at a protest rally in front of the National Press Club on Monday, he demanded an immediate end to the attacks and urged that those responsible be brought under international law.

The protest, organized by the Vasani Jono Shokti Party, was held to condemn the reported killings of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and numerous civilians, including women and children, during the aggression. The rally began from Purana Paltan and concluded at the National Press Club, where several political leaders expressed solidarity.

Party General Secretary Abu Yusuf Selim stated that military aggression against a sovereign state is unacceptable and called for dialogue and diplomacy as the only sustainable path to peace. Leaders from other political parties, including Bangladesh JASAD and Bangladesh Independence Party, also voiced support for the protest.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has claimed responsibility for a missile and drone attack targeting the southern Israeli city of Beersheba, also known as Bir as-Sab, according to Al Jazeera. The Iranian news agency Tasnim reported that this was the eleventh round of Iranian strikes, asserting that the attack hit an Israeli military communications industry complex located in the city.

Tasnim later released a photograph it said showed a building in Beersheba that had been targeted. The report noted that the building housed offices of several international companies, including Microsoft. No further details about damage, casualties, or Israeli responses were provided in the available reports.

The incident marks another escalation in the ongoing hostilities between Iran and Israel, though immediate consequences or official confirmations from Israeli authorities were not included in the source.

A loud explosion was reported near a nuclear facility and an airbase in the central Iranian city of Isfahan, according to reports from Reuters and Al Jazeera. The blast was heard shortly before the reports were published on March 2, 2026, though no immediate details about damage or casualties were provided.

Earlier, Iran’s Natanz nuclear facility had been attacked. Reza Najafi, Iran’s envoy to the United Nations atomic watchdog, stated that the Natanz site was damaged in a joint strike by the United States and Israel. The incident near Isfahan follows that earlier attack, raising concerns about the security of Iran’s nuclear infrastructure.

The reports did not specify the cause of the latest explosion or whether it was linked to the previous assault on Natanz.

French President Emmanuel Macron has announced plans to increase the number of nuclear warheads in France’s arsenal, citing global security uncertainty. Speaking on Monday at the Île Longue military base in northwestern France, where the country’s ballistic missile submarines are stationed, Macron said the current stock of fewer than 300 warheads will be expanded. He did not specify how many new warheads will be added. This marks the first planned increase in France’s nuclear stockpile since 1992.

Macron stated that the move aims to clarify France’s role in Europe’s security framework through its nuclear deterrent. He also referred to growing global threats and uncertainty surrounding U.S. security guarantees to European allies. In addition, France will allow the temporary deployment of nuclear-armed aircraft to allied countries and will collaborate with Germany and the United Kingdom on a long-range missile project to enhance strike capabilities.

Analysts cited in the report said the announcement signals a significant shift in Europe’s security policy direction.

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated that military strikes on Iran will continue until President Donald Trump is satisfied. According to Hegseth, only Trump can decide how long the operation will last, which could extend for two, four, or even six weeks, depending on circumstances. The statement was reported by CNN on March 2, 2026.

Hegseth and General Dan Kane, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said the joint US-Israel operation will persist until Trump believes all its objectives have been achieved. The officials did not specify the exact goals or timeline of the campaign.

The report also noted related developments, including Iran’s leadership maintaining a firm stance following the death of Ayatollah Khamenei, a Kuwaiti naval officer’s death, NATO’s declaration that it will not engage in the Iran conflict, and Spain’s refusal to allow its bases to be used for the attacks.

Iran has announced its readiness to continue fighting at any cost as the conflict with the United States and Israel entered its third day. Ali Larijani, head of Iran’s National Security Council, stated that Tehran is prepared for a long-term war. His remarks were reported by TRT World and shared through a post on social media platform X, where he emphasized Iran’s determination to defend its civilization and make its enemies regret their miscalculations.

Larijani asserted that unlike the United States, Iran has advanced with preparation for a long war. His statement signals that Tehran is not seeking to de-escalate but rather to sustain its defensive stance. Analysts cited in the report suggested that such rhetoric indicates a further rise in regional tensions across the Middle East.

The statement comes as the conflict continues to intensify, with Iran reaffirming its commitment to self-defense and signaling that it will not back down easily.

The European Union’s Gas Coordination Group will meet on Wednesday to assess the impact of the spreading conflict in the Middle East on gas supplies. An EU spokesperson confirmed the meeting on Monday, noting that the group will review the situation following recent disruptions in energy production.

The meeting follows QatarEnergy’s announcement to halt liquefied natural gas (LNG) production at its Ras Laffan and Mesaieed industrial facilities after Iranian drone attacks on those sites. The production halt has led to a sharp rise in European gas prices, reportedly increasing by about 50 percent. The Gas Coordination Group includes representatives from EU member state governments and is responsible for monitoring gas storage and supply security across the bloc.

The group also coordinates emergency measures during supply crises, and the upcoming meeting is expected to focus on evaluating potential risks to Europe’s energy stability and possible response strategies.

Bangladesh’s Foreign Minister Dr. Khalilur Rahman has clarified two recent statements issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding the situation in the Middle East. Speaking to journalists at the ministry on Monday, he said the statements were made to protect the interests of Bangladeshi citizens living in the region. He emphasized that Bangladesh’s position is straightforward: safeguarding its citizens abroad and promoting peace through dialogue and diplomacy rather than conflict.

Rahman reiterated that the welfare of Bangladeshi expatriates in the Middle East remains the government’s top priority. He noted that the March 1 statement also reflected this commitment. The minister added that if any Bangladeshi citizens are harmed, the government will stand by them regardless of location. He expressed hope that no further casualties or injuries would occur among Bangladeshis.

He also mentioned that some workers preparing to travel abroad have been stranded due to the situation. The government plans to facilitate their return once air travel resumes normal operations.

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reaffirmed that there are currently no American ground troops deployed in Iran. Speaking on March 2, 2026, he stated that Washington remains prepared to take necessary measures to protect US interests if required, though such actions would not be taken recklessly. His remarks were reported by Al Jazeera.

Hegseth questioned the logic of publicly outlining potential military options, saying it would not be wise to reveal in advance what steps the United States might take to achieve its objectives. The statement underscored a cautious but firm stance from Washington amid ongoing regional tensions.

According to the report, Iran has not issued any immediate response to Hegseth’s comments.

Oman’s Maritime Security Center reported that an oil tanker was attacked by an explosive-laden boat about 52 nautical miles off the coast of Muscat. According to a statement shared on the center’s X account and cited by Al Jazeera, the explosion caused a fire in the engine room, resulting in the death of one crew member. The remaining 21 crew members were evacuated safely from the vessel.

The Royal Navy of Oman has deployed a ship to monitor the condition of the damaged tanker. Authorities have also issued warnings to other vessels operating in the same waters to exercise caution following the incident.

The report did not specify who carried out the attack or the extent of the damage to the tanker, leaving key details about the motive and perpetrators unclear.

KM Nazmul Haque has been appointed as the Assistant Press Secretary to the Prime Minister under a contractual arrangement. The Ministry of Public Administration issued a notification on Monday confirming the appointment. According to the notice, he will serve in the position under the Grade-9 pay scale at its final stage, effective from the date he assumes office.

The appointment terms specify that KM Nazmul Haque must relinquish any professional, business, or employment ties with government, semi-government, private, or other organizations before taking up the role. His tenure will continue either for the duration of the Prime Minister’s term or until the Prime Minister’s satisfaction, whichever occurs first.

Additional conditions of the appointment will be determined through a formal contract, as stated in the government notification.