A US F-35 stealth fighter jet was damaged by Iranian defense fire while conducting an operation inside Iran’s airspace, according to a CNN report citing two sources. The aircraft made an emergency landing at a US airbase in the Middle East after being hit. Captain Tim Hawkins, spokesperson for the US Central Command (CENTCOM), confirmed that the fifth-generation jet was on a wartime mission over Iran when it was struck and forced to land.

Hawkins stated that the aircraft landed safely and the pilot is in stable condition. The incident is currently under investigation. This marks the first reported instance of an Iranian strike damaging a US warplane since the conflict began in late February. Both the United States and Israel have been deploying F-35 jets in the ongoing war, each costing over 100 million dollars.

The emergency landing occurred as senior US officials were publicly claiming major progress in operations against Iran. Earlier on Thursday, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth asserted that the US was achieving decisive victories and had neutralized Iran’s air defense systems.

An Iranian missile strike caused a fire at an oil refinery in Israel’s key port city of Haifa on Wednesday morning, according to initial reports. The blaze is believed to have started after debris from the missile fell on the facility. It was not immediately clear whether the fire had been brought under control, and no casualties were reported at the time of publication.

Air raid sirens sounded across northern and central Israel, including Jerusalem, shortly before the fire was reported. The Haifa refinery has previously been targeted during periods of Iran-Israel tension, including damage sustained during a 12-day conflict between the United States and Iran last year.

The attack followed an earlier Israeli airstrike on a petrochemical complex at Iran’s South Pars gas field, one of the world’s largest, partly controlled by Qatar. In response, Iran reportedly launched retaliatory strikes on energy infrastructure in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, and the United Arab Emirates, with fires breaking out at Qatar’s Ras Laffan LNG complex.

A US F-35 fighter jet made an emergency landing after reportedly being damaged by suspected Iranian fire amid ongoing conflict in the Middle East, according to sources familiar with the matter. The aircraft, which was on a combat mission, landed safely at a US base in the region, and the pilot was unharmed. US Central Command spokesperson Captain Tim Hawkins confirmed that the fifth-generation stealth jet was forced to land while operating near Iranian airspace and that an investigation is underway.

This marks the first reported incident since the conflict began in late February in which a US warplane was allegedly hit by Iranian fire. Both the United States and Israel have been deploying F-35 jets in the conflict, each valued at over 100 million dollars. Defense Minister Pete Hegseth stated that the United States is maintaining an advantage in the war and that Iran’s air defense systems have been largely dismantled.

The investigation’s outcome may influence future US operational strategies in the region as tensions remain high.

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has been re-elected with 99.93 percent of the votes in the Supreme People’s Assembly election held on March 15. His ruling Workers’ Party of Korea and allied groups secured an overwhelming victory, according to state media reports. The election featured only one approved candidate per seat, giving voters the option to either accept or reject the nominee.

The 0.07 percent of votes cast against the official candidates drew notable attention, as it was seen as a rare expression of dissent. The state news agency KCNA acknowledged that no opposition candidates participated in the election. This marks the first time since 1957 that state media publicly admitted the existence of “no” votes. A total of 687 members, including workers, farmers, intellectuals, and military representatives, were elected.

Kim Jong-un has ruled North Korea since 2011 following the death of his father, Kim Jong-il. His authority was further consolidated in 2019 through constitutional amendments, granting him full control over the country’s military and government institutions.

Three unnamed Israeli officials told Reuters that Israel’s attack on Iran’s South Pars gas field was carried out in coordination with the United States. They said the operation was pre-planned and conducted with Washington’s involvement, though they suggested that similar strikes were unlikely to happen again soon.

Their statements came after US President Donald Trump publicly denied any American knowledge of the specific strike. On Wednesday night, Trump wrote on social media that Washington had no prior awareness of the attack and that Israel would not strike the gas field again unless Iran launched another assault on Qatar.

The Israeli officials added that they were not surprised by Trump’s remarks, recalling a similar situation after previous Israeli strikes on Iranian energy depots when US Defense Chief Pete Hegseth had also denied American involvement.

Two journalists from the Russian state-controlled network RT were injured in an Israeli missile strike while on assignment in southern Lebanon on Thursday. According to Lebanon’s National News Agency, cited by Al Jazeera, correspondent Steve Sweeney and cameraman Ali Rida were near the Al-Qasmiya Bridge, close to a local military base, when the missile hit nearby. RT confirmed the incident on its website.

Ali Rida alleged that the Israeli forces deliberately targeted them despite their visible press uniforms and identification. A video circulating online shows the missile striking less than ten meters behind Sweeney as he was reporting on camera, forcing him to take cover amid smoke and debris. The footage was captured live by Rida’s camera.

In a later video message, Rida said both he and Sweeney were safe. As of now, the Israeli military has not issued any official statement regarding the attack.

After being missing for about three years, the body of Khairul Islam from Kurigram’s Ulipur upazila was returned to Bangladesh from India on Thursday, March 19. The handover took place through the Chengrabandha–Burimari immigration point in the presence of officials from both countries, including representatives of the Bangladesh High Commission in Kolkata, Border Guard Bangladesh, India’s Border Security Force, police, and customs officers. Khairul’s uncle, Ful Mia, received the body on behalf of the family.

According to family sources, Khairul had gone missing three and a half years earlier and was later reported to have illegally crossed into India, where he worked as a garment laborer. He was arrested by Indian police in Jalpaiguri for illegal entry. On February 10, his wife received a phone call from an Indian number informing her that his body was found near the Jalpaiguri jail gate. Following a petition to the Kurigram district administration, both countries coordinated for 38 days to repatriate the body.

Local officials and Radio Chilmarie assisted the family throughout the process. Burial was scheduled to take place at the family graveyard the same night.

Mobile courts have intensified operations across Bangladesh, including in the capital Dhaka, to prevent overcharging and passenger harassment ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr. According to a press release from the Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges issued on Thursday afternoon, several transport companies were fined and the excess fares collected from passengers were refunded.

The operations covered multiple areas such as Fulbaria, Gulistan, Jatrabari, Dholairpar, Sayedabad, Abdullahpur, Kalyanpur, Gabtoli, Hemayetpur, and Savar in Dhaka, as well as Chattogram, Tangail, Barishal, and Khulna. Fines ranged from 3,000 to 13,000 taka depending on the location and severity of the violations. In some cases, transport counters were penalized for failing to display fare charts. Authorities confirmed that no overcharging was found in certain areas like Khulna’s Rupsha Toll Plaza.

Officials stated that these drives will continue to ensure smooth Eid travel. They also reported that travel conditions across the country remain normal, with passenger pressure gradually decreasing.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahid Uddin Swapan MP said that Bangladesh Television (BTV) and Bangladesh Betar will be developed into modern, objective and people-oriented media institutions. He emphasized that the government is committed to ensuring a free and safe working environment for journalists. The minister made these remarks on Thursday, March 19, at an event organized by the Gouranadi Press Club in Barishal, marking a discussion on the significance of Ramadan and an iftar gathering.

Swapan highlighted that the holy month of Ramadan teaches self-purification, restraint and humanity, and that embracing these values can help build a just and compassionate society. He added that a free, responsible and objective media plays a vital role in strengthening democracy, urging journalists to uphold truth and impartiality for the welfare of the nation.

The event was chaired by senior journalist and former BRDB chairman Zahurul Islam Zahid, who said such programs help nurture human values alongside professional duties. Local officials, journalists and community leaders from several upazilas attended the event.

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated at a Pentagon press briefing that Iran’s ballistic missile and drone attacks have dropped by 90 percent since the conflict began. He said the United States has damaged or sunk at least 120 Iranian naval vessels, rendering Iran’s surface fleet ineffective and its submarines depleted. Hegseth described senior positions in Iran’s military as temporary due to heavy losses.

He asserted that Iran’s refusal to abandon its nuclear ambitions poses a direct threat not only to the United States but also to freedom and civilization. Comparing Iran’s leadership to Hamas in Gaza, Hegseth said Tehran has invested heavily in tunnels, rockets, missiles, and drones, but the US is systematically and forcefully targeting them. He added that the US has struck more than 7,000 targets inside Iran and is preparing for another major strike.

Hegseth concluded that US military capability continues to grow while Iran’s capacity is steadily eroding.

Global energy markets have become increasingly unstable following U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran on February 28, with analysts now warning that oil prices could rise to between 150 and 200 dollars per barrel. Brent crude reached nearly 120 dollars on March 9 and has not fallen below 100 dollars since March 13. Prices rose again after attacks on Iran’s South Pars gas field and retaliatory strikes on energy facilities in Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.

Analysts identify the Strait of Hormuz as the most critical factor, as nearly one-fifth of the world’s oil supply passes through it. Iran initially declared the strait closed and threatened ships entering the area, severely restricting navigation. Limited passage is currently allowed for vessels from India, Pakistan, Turkey, and China. The International Energy Agency has coordinated a release of 400 million barrels from emergency reserves, but experts say this cannot fully offset a daily shortfall of about 10 million barrels.

Economic research groups warn that oil prices above 150 dollars could strain the global economy, raising inflation and slowing growth. Experts caution that a 200-dollar price level would deliver a major shock across multiple industries.

QatarEnergy CEO Saad Al-Kaabi said that about 17 percent of Qatar’s liquefied natural gas (LNG) production capacity was damaged in a recent Iranian attack. He told Reuters that the affected facilities have significantly reduced the company’s export capacity, and full recovery could take three to five years. Al-Kaabi expressed surprise that such an attack occurred during Ramadan, calling it unexpected from a fellow Muslim nation.

He added that due to the damage to two LNG trains, QatarEnergy might have to declare force majeure on long-term gas supply contracts with Italy, Belgium, South Korea, and China, potentially causing prolonged supply disruptions. The damaged facilities had cost around 26 billion dollars to build.

The report noted that the incident could further increase volatility in the global energy market as Qatar is one of the world’s major LNG exporters.

During a Pentagon briefing on March 19, 2026, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth addressed questions about a Washington Post report claiming the Pentagon had requested additional funding for the Iran war. Hegseth stated that the reported figure of 200 billion dollars could change and emphasized that ensuring proper funding for future needs was essential. He remarked that 'it takes money to kill bad people,' defending the financial demands tied to ongoing military operations.

The briefing followed reports that the United States had coordinated attacks on Iran’s gas fields, which former President Trump had denied. Hegseth asserted that U.S. military capability had increased while Iran’s had declined. The broader Middle East conflict has also raised concerns about oil prices potentially surpassing 200 dollars per barrel, while damage to Qatar’s LNG facilities from Iranian strikes could take five years to repair.

The Pentagon’s statements highlight Washington’s focus on maintaining operational readiness amid escalating regional tensions and economic risks linked to energy markets.

Former Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) chief Amarjit Singh Dulat has stated that Iran will not be defeated in the ongoing conflict triggered by joint US and Israeli attacks. In an interview published on Thursday by Indian news agency ANI, Dulat said India should stand by Iran, describing the country as a long-standing friend and ally.

Dulat emphasized that the current confrontation is not new, noting that tensions have persisted for the past two decades. He reminded that India and Iran have historically maintained close ties, with both nations supporting each other during times of crisis. According to him, India’s foreign policy should reflect this mutual trust and solidarity.

He further expressed confidence that India’s role in the present situation would be timely, balanced, and appropriate, reaffirming his belief that Iran would withstand Western and Israeli pressure without losing the war.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has expressed deep concern over severe travel disruptions, excessive fare collection, and overall mismanagement during Eid-ul-Fitr journeys across the country. In a statement issued to the media on Thursday, Advocate Ehsanul Mahbub Zubair, Assistant Secretary General and head of the party’s Central Publicity and Media Department, highlighted the suffering of homebound passengers facing traffic congestion, ticket shortages, irregularities, and fare exploitation on roads, railways, and waterways.

Zubair stated that unscrupulous transport operators were taking advantage of the situation by charging passengers unfairly high fares, calling such practices inhumane and unethical. He urged relevant ministries, law enforcement agencies, and transport owners and workers to take coordinated action to ensure safe, comfortable, and affordable travel for all passengers. The statement also called for strict monitoring to prevent overcharging, ticket black marketing, and passenger harassment.

Jamaat expressed hope that all concerned authorities would act responsibly to reduce public suffering and enable travelers to reach their families safely during the Eid holidays.