Senior Iranian officials have expressed concern that the United States’ call for peace talks to end the ongoing conflict may be a trap aimed at targeting Iran’s remaining top leaders. According to a Wall Street Journal report cited by Iranian media, Tehran suspects that any face-to-face meeting with the US and Israel could be used as a pretext to lure key figures, including Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, into an ambush.

Ghalibaf, a former paramilitary commander and one of the few senior leaders to survive recent airstrikes, is reportedly being sought by Washington to participate in the proposed negotiations. Iranian officials view this insistence with suspicion. They also claim that US President Donald Trump’s recent announcement to temporarily suspend attacks on Iran’s energy infrastructure is a tactical move to stabilize global oil prices before resuming strikes.

Trump had declared a five-day halt to bombings on Iranian power and energy facilities, describing current talks as “productive.” Iran, however, has publicly denied that any such discussions are taking place.

The Pentagon is planning to strengthen its military presence in the Middle East by deploying several thousand additional troops. Two individuals familiar with the matter told Reuters that the United States will send members of the specialized 82nd Airborne Division as part of this expansion. They did not specify which country the troops would be stationed in or when the deployment would take place.

When contacted, the US military referred Reuters to the White House for comment. However, the White House declined to make any immediate statement on the matter. The report was originally cited by Al Jazeera.

The move signals a continued focus by the United States on maintaining a strong military posture in the Middle East, though key details about the deployment remain undisclosed.

Iran’s armed forces announced that they carried out a drone attack on the Rafael arms depot in Haifa, a northern Israeli city. According to a spokesperson for the Khatam al-Anbia Central Headquarters, Iranian forces also launched missile and drone strikes on multiple targets, including areas near Eilat, Dimona, and Tel Aviv. The attacks reportedly extended to locations described as U.S. military bases in the region.

Iran further stated that its air defense systems intercepted cruise missiles and drones over the central and southern parts of the country. Earlier, Iran claimed to have targeted a space facility near Ben Gurion Airport and aircraft stationed there for refueling. Israel has not yet issued any official comment on these claims.

The report, citing Al Jazeera, did not provide details on casualties or damage, and the situation remains unverified pending confirmation from Israeli authorities.

U.S. President Donald Trump has claimed that Iran’s system of governance has changed following recent attacks in the country. He stated that Iran has agreed to a condition under which it will never produce nuclear weapons. Trump made these remarks while commenting on the aftermath of the attacks and their impact on Iran’s internal situation.

According to Trump, Iran’s naval, air, and communication systems have been completely destroyed, leaving the country unable to maintain internal coordination. He described this breakdown in communication as Iran’s biggest problem at present. The statement was reported by the BBC and reflects Trump’s assessment of Iran’s current military and political state.

Trump also said that Iran is now very eager to reach an agreement, though no details of such a deal were provided in the report.

U.S. President Donald Trump announced a temporary halt to planned strikes on Iran’s energy and power infrastructure after Tehran ignored his 48-hour ultimatum to lift its blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. Trump said on his social media platform Truth Social that the decision was postponed for five days, claiming progress toward a comprehensive resolution between the two nations. However, Iran’s parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf denied any talks, accusing Washington of spreading false news to manipulate oil and financial markets.

Amid the standoff, Iran launched multiple missile attacks on Israel overnight, damaging Tel Aviv, Nazareth, and Haifa and injuring thousands, according to Israeli authorities. In response, Israel and the United States carried out extensive airstrikes on Iranian targets, including over 50 sites. The U.S. was also blamed for a deadly strike on Iraq’s Anbar province that killed at least 15 members of the Shia Popular Mobilization Forces.

Oil prices fluctuated following Trump’s announcement, briefly dropping to $96 before rebounding to around $103 per barrel. The conflict has intensified across Lebanon and the wider region, with rising civilian casualties and displacement.

Israel has incurred more than $57 billion in economic losses due to its two-year-long military campaign in Gaza, according to the Bank of Israel’s 2025 annual report, as cited by Bloomberg. The report states that from 2023 to 2025, the country lost about 177 billion shekels, equivalent to roughly 8.6 percent of its gross domestic product. The majority of this loss was attributed to the Gaza conflict.

The report did not include the economic effects of Israel’s ongoing war with Iran, which involves Israeli airstrikes and retaliatory attacks. Earlier in March, Israel’s wartime cabinet approved a revised 2026 budget allocating an additional $13 billion to fund the war. The Bank of Israel also noted that trade with eight European Union countries criticizing Israeli strikes on Iran fell by $1.5 billion in 2025.

The report further warned that exports to countries taking a critical stance toward Israel could continue to decline, reflecting early signs of reduced trade activity.

Former joint secretary general of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and Member of Parliament for Chittagong-4, Professor Aslam Chowdhury, has called on party leaders and activists to stay united. He made the appeal during a five-day Eid-ul-Fitr gathering at his residence in Sitakunda, where BNP, Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal, and Jubo Dal members from various unions, municipalities, and wards visited to exchange greetings.

During the event, Aslam Chowdhury interacted with attendees, listened to their concerns, and provided guidance on strengthening organizational activities. He emphasized that unity among members at all levels is essential to increase the party’s strength and urged everyone to work collectively for public welfare. He also expressed optimism about Sitakunda’s development, employment generation, and infrastructure progress, reaffirming his commitment to serve the people.

According to participants, the five-day Eid gathering fostered enthusiasm and solidarity among BNP members in Sitakunda, serving as an effective platform for reinforcing party unity and organizational capacity.

U.S. President Donald Trump has claimed that the United States has won the ongoing war with Iran. Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump stated that the U.S. is now engaged in direct talks with Iran. He said Iran has agreed to the main American demand of never possessing nuclear weapons. Trump added that discussions are still continuing and expressed hope that the conflict would soon end, though he could not confirm it with certainty.

Trump further asserted that the U.S. objective of bringing about a change in Iran’s governing system has been achieved. According to him, even third-tier leaders in Iran have been removed from power, and the top leadership is no longer in control. He reiterated that the U.S. goals have been met and declared, “We have won this war.” The report cited Al Jazeera as its source.

The statements suggest that Washington and Tehran are in a phase of negotiation following a period of conflict, with the U.S. claiming strategic success and Iran reportedly seeking a deal.

The Bangladesh government has initiated the process of purchasing 1.8 million tons of diesel from the international spot market to address the ongoing fuel crisis. Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) has already begun discussions with several international suppliers, including two American companies and one based in Hong Kong. The procurement will follow current global market prices, which have surged sharply in recent weeks. BPC’s board has approved proposals to buy diesel from four companies, including Maxwell International SPC, AP Energy Investments Ltd, Superstar International Group Ltd, and DBS Trading House FZE.

Global diesel prices have fluctuated dramatically, rising from around 85 dollars per barrel in late February to over 213 dollars by late March. Officials said the government is cautious about fixed-price contracts due to potential price drops if U.S.-Iran talks progress. Despite high import costs, the government has no immediate plan to raise domestic fuel prices, raising concerns about subsidy burdens. BPC’s reserves have dropped to cover only six to seven days of demand, leading to pump closures and long queues nationwide.

Authorities expect new shipments to arrive soon and are optimistic that the crisis will ease once additional consignments reach the country.

The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) reported carrying out multiple strikes on energy-related facilities across Lebanon. According to the IDF, the attacks targeted fuel stations allegedly used by Hezbollah. The operations took place within the past day and included strikes on stations owned by the Al-Amana company.

The IDF claimed that Al-Amana is controlled by Hezbollah and provides financial support for its activities. The military said the targeted fuel stations were used to refuel trucks transporting weapons and fighters. The strikes reportedly rendered several of these facilities inoperative.

The report, citing the IDF’s statement, did not mention any casualties or independent verification of the attacks. The information was sourced from the BBC, as reported by the outlet Amar Desh.

Qatar has denied media reports suggesting that the proposed United States–Iran agreement might include the closure of the large US airbase at Al-Udeid in Qatar. A government spokesperson clarified that there are no plans to shut down the base, countering earlier claims published in some outlets.

According to the spokesperson, the current regional situation is expected to further strengthen Qatar’s existing partnership with the United States and other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states. The clarification follows speculation linking the base’s future to ongoing diplomatic discussions involving Washington and Tehran.

The statement underscores Qatar’s continued alignment with its Gulf and Western partners, signaling stability in its defense cooperation with the United States despite regional tensions.

A sudden and intense hailstorm on Tuesday night caused extensive damage to Boro rice fields across the haor regions of Kishoreganj, leaving thousands of farmers in Austagram, Itna, and Mithamain deeply worried. The storm, which began around 8 p.m. with strong winds and heavy rain, lasted for about 15 to 20 minutes and struck during a critical growth stage for the rice crop.

Farmers reported that the hail severely battered the rice plants, breaking stems and damaging the developing panicles, which could significantly reduce yields. Local farmer Nurul Islam Laldhon expressed sorrow, saying that hopes for a bumper harvest this year may be shattered by the untimely storm. The full extent of the damage will become clearer after field inspections.

Austagram Upazila Agriculture Officer Abhijit Sarkar said hail was reported in three unions of the upazila. He noted that officials would begin field visits early in the morning to assess the actual scale of the losses.

Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) has arrested Md. Helal Uddin, the gatekeeper accused in the case filed over the train and bus collision in Cumilla that killed 12 people. The arrest took place on Tuesday evening in the Shankuchail area of Burichang upazila, near the border. The arrest was confirmed by Tahura Jannat, Superintendent of Police of the Chattogram Railway region, who said that efforts are ongoing to capture the other fugitive accused, Mehedi Hasan.

Following the incident, RAB launched a shadow investigation. Authorities stated that detailed information will be shared in a press briefing after Helal Uddin’s interrogation. The collision occurred at around 3 a.m. on March 21 at the Padua Bazar rail crossing in Cumilla, resulting in 12 deaths. Injured passenger Shefali Akter filed a case with the Laksam Railway Police Station, naming Helal Uddin and Mehedi Hasan as the accused.

Police officials said further details about the investigation and the circumstances of the crash will be disclosed tomorrow.

Sylhet-2 Member of Parliament Tahsina Rushdir Luna has declared that no irregularities or corruption will be tolerated in development activities under her constituency. She made the remarks on Tuesday during an Eid reunion event at the residence of UK expatriate BNP leader Ira Mia in Usmanpur Union, Osmaninagar, Sylhet. The event was chaired by Ira Mia and conducted by Union BNP General Secretary Abdul Matin.

Luna said the new government, formed after the fall of the previous one through a mass uprising, is prioritizing economic recovery and comprehensive development. Expressing gratitude to voters for electing her by a large margin out of respect for missing leader Ilias Ali, she pledged to follow his ideals and remain close to the people. She also recalled the challenges she faced after Ilias Ali’s disappearance and expressed satisfaction that her children are now established.

Several local BNP leaders, including former upazila chairman Moynul Haque Chowdhury and upazila BNP president S.T.M. Fakhr Uddin, attended the event.

A violent clash erupted on Tuesday night between two rival groups from Deopara and Shekhpur villages in Chandraganj, Lakshmipur, reportedly over local dominance. The incident occurred around 9 p.m. near the BNP office at Afzal Road in Chandraganj West Bazar. During the exchange of gunfire, a passerby named Abdur Rahim, aged 55, was shot in the leg, while Saiful Islam Manik, 19, was beaten with a chain. Chandraganj Union Chhatra Dal joint convener Yakub Munna Ripon was also injured in the attack.

Witnesses and local sources said the confrontation followed a dispute between the two villages the previous day. The Deopara group was reportedly led by Rakib Patwary, who was armed and facing murder and weapons charges, while the Shekhpur group was led by a man named Mitul. Locals rescued the injured and took them to Lakshmipur Sadar Hospital.

Hospital authorities confirmed that Abdur Rahim was later transferred to Noakhali General Hospital for further treatment, while Manik remained under observation. Police said they had received reports of the shooting but were yet to gather full details.