Iran has warned that it will deploy naval mines across the Persian Gulf if the United States or Israel launches any attack on its coastal areas or islands. The Iranian Defense Council issued the threat on Monday, March 23, 2026, declaring that it would not tolerate any form of aggression against its territory.

In a statement, the council said that peaceful nations or those not involved in the conflict could only pass through the Strait of Hormuz by coordinating with Iran. It added that any hostile attempt against Iranian coasts or islands would lead to the mining of all entry and communication routes in the Persian Gulf, effectively blocking the region. The council emphasized that the responsibility for such consequences would rest on the countries issuing threats.

The warning came as the deadline approached for a 48-hour ultimatum issued by US President Donald Trump, who had demanded that Iran reopen the Strait of Hormuz or face attacks on its power plants.

Bangladesh’s Minister of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources, Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku, announced that the country’s fuel supply remains normal. Speaking at a press conference at his residence on Monday, March 23, 2026, the minister said fuel imports have increased by 25 percent compared to last year. He urged citizens not to panic and to purchase fuel as needed, assuring that everyone will have access to supplies.

Tuku explained that temporary supply pressure occurred because distribution was halted for two days during the Eid holidays. He added that the government continues importing fuel with subsidies to maintain stability. Meanwhile, State Minister for Road Transport and Railways, Habibur Rashid Habib, stated that security will be provided at fuel stations if necessary and that the government successfully prevented attempts to raise prices amid the perceived shortage.

Officials said the earlier concerns about fuel scarcity before Eid have been resolved, and the situation is now under control.

A deadline set by former U.S. President Donald Trump for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz without threats is set to expire at midnight local time on Monday. The ultimatum, announced 48 hours earlier, warned that if Iran failed to ensure free passage for ships, the United States would destroy Iran’s power plants. The situation has heightened fears of escalating conflict in the Middle East as the deadline approaches.

In response, Tehran warned that any U.S. or Israeli attack on its power facilities would trigger retaliatory strikes on energy infrastructure in Gulf countries allied with Washington. Iran’s parliament speaker cautioned that such retaliation would cause irreversible destruction to critical installations in the region.

The standoff has drawn international concern, with observers noting that the expiration of the deadline could further destabilize the Gulf and intensify regional hostilities if neither side steps back from its threats.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer faced allegations of concealing information after the government delayed confirming an Iranian missile attack on the Diego Garcia military base for more than 30 hours. The acknowledgment came only after US officials verified the incident. The attack occurred between Thursday night and early Friday, when Iran launched two ballistic missiles toward the joint US-UK base in the Chagos Islands. Neither missile hit its target; one was intercepted by a US warship, and the other fell into the sea.

Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch accused the Labour government of maintaining a “culture of cover-up” and urged an explanation for the delay in informing the public. She argued that while genuine national security matters should remain confidential, significant events must be disclosed to Parliament and citizens. Badenoch, who succeeded Rishi Sunak as party leader in November 2024, made her remarks in an article for the Daily Mail.

A government source dismissed the criticism as a desperate move by the opposition leader, claiming she had repeatedly mishandled the crisis. The government confirmed the attack attempt on Saturday morning, more than 30 hours after it occurred.

At least 81 people have died in Kenya this March following continuous heavy rains that triggered flash floods across large parts of the country, authorities said on Sunday. The worst-hit areas include the capital Nairobi, where 37 deaths were reported. Thousands of families have been displaced, and extensive damage to infrastructure and property has been recorded. In Kisumu County, entire villages were submerged, destroying about 1,200 hectares of farmland. In Nyakach, over 3,000 families lost their homes, and residents sought refuge in eight overcrowded shelters.

Local reports described residents wading through knee-deep water and using boats to evacuate. Rising water levels near the Nairobi Dam prompted evacuation warnings amid fears of a possible breach, though the dam remained intact. Police confirmed that 2,690 families were displaced nationwide. Landslides in western Kenya also caused fatalities and buried several homes. Critics have called for Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja’s resignation, citing unfulfilled promises to improve drainage and road infrastructure.

Meteorological forecasts predict continued rainfall until Tuesday, and authorities have urged extreme caution. Scientists cited in the report link the intensifying weather patterns to human-induced climate change, which has increased both heavy rainfall and droughts in East Africa over the past two decades.

Four Bangladeshi cricketers left Dhaka on Monday morning to participate in the upcoming eleventh edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL), which begins on March 26. The departing players are Mustafizur Rahman, Shariful Islam, Parvez Hossain Emon, and Nahid Rana. Two others, Rishad Hossain and Tanzid Tamim, are scheduled to join later.

According to the report, six Bangladeshi players have secured contracts in this year’s franchise-based tournament. Mustafizur Rahman, known as the “Cutter Master,” drew particular attention after signing directly with Lahore Qalandars for 64.4 million Pakistani rupees. Parvez Hossain Emon will also play for Lahore Qalandars, while leg-spinner Rishad Hossain joined the new franchise Rawalpindi Pindis for 30 million rupees. Nahid Rana and Parvez were later picked up by their respective teams at a base price of 6 million rupees each.

The participation of multiple Bangladeshi players highlights the growing presence of the country’s cricketers in international franchise leagues.

Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters spokesperson Ebrahim Zolfaghari issued a new statement mocking former U.S. President Donald Trump as the American deadline for reopening the Strait of Hormuz approached. In an English-language video clip, Zolfaghari said, “Trump, you’re fired,” referencing the U.S. warning that Iran’s blockade of the strait could trigger attacks on its energy grid. Iran has responded with threats of severe retaliation.

Separately, Majid Farshi, director general of crisis management in Iran’s East Azerbaijan province, reported two deadly attacks in the city of Tabriz. According to Fars News Agency, four people were killed and six injured in an assault on a residential unit in the Marzdaran area, while two others died in a park in Rabe Rashidi. These claims could not be independently verified, and there were no immediate comments from U.S. or Israeli officials.

Earlier, reports indicated one person was killed in a joint U.S.-Israeli strike on a radio station in Bandar Abbas, which operated a 100-kilowatt AM transmitter owned by Iran’s national broadcaster IRIB.

The Israeli military, known as the IDF, reported that Iran has launched another round of missile attacks targeting Israel. According to the IDF’s latest update, the country’s air defense systems are actively intercepting the incoming missiles. The strikes reportedly included cluster munitions aimed at Tel Aviv on Sunday night, which were neutralized in the air before reaching their targets.

Earlier reports indicated explosions in several parts of Tehran, Iran’s capital, though details about the cause or extent of those blasts remain unclear. The renewed exchange marks another escalation in hostilities between the two countries, with both sides reporting aerial activity and defensive responses.

The IDF stated that its air defense operations are ongoing to counter further threats, but no additional information on casualties or damage was provided in the report.

A severe fuel shortage has gripped Nilphamari district, leaving most petrol pumps without supply and forcing drivers and residents into long queues. Only a few stations have limited fuel, with customers restricted to small purchases. Despite the government ending rationing, most pump owners continue to sell under rationing rules. Meanwhile, petrol and octane are being sold at inflated prices in local markets, reaching up to Tk 300 per litre, far above the official rates of Tk 116 and Tk 120.

Motorists and farmers are among the worst affected. Drivers report waiting for hours without success, while farmers face difficulties irrigating their fields during the peak cultivation season. Pump owners say their stocks have run out due to inadequate supply and remain uncertain when normal distribution will resume.

Local authorities have warned of immediate action against illegal hoarding or overpricing. Officials from the Consumer Rights Protection Directorate confirmed that selling fuel above the government-fixed price is illegal, as the crisis continues to disrupt daily life across the district.

Asaduddin Owaisi’s All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) has announced an alliance with Humayun Kabir’s Am Janata Unnayan Party (AJUP) ahead of the upcoming West Bengal assembly election. The announcement was made on Sunday, with both parties confirming their joint participation in the polls. Kabir, a former Trinamool Congress leader, stated that his party would field 154 candidates across the state, including his own candidacy from Rejinagar and Naoda constituencies.

Kabir also mentioned that Poonam Begum would contest from Bhabanipur against Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and opposition leader Suvendu Adhikari. He told news agency ANI that the alliance with AIMIM might contest in eight constituencies. Owaisi, confirming the partnership, criticized Mamata Banerjee’s 15-year tenure, claiming that West Bengal’s Muslim community had not seen adequate development and had faced injustice.

AIMIM had previously contested the 2021 West Bengal election but failed to achieve significant results. The new alliance signals a renewed attempt to expand its political presence in the state.

The Middle East saw a sharp escalation in hostilities on Monday, with Israel launching what it described as a 'massive attack' on Tehran. Explosions were reported in the Iranian capital, and AFP journalists observed thick black smoke. Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates said they intercepted new attacks, while debris from a downed missile injured an Indian national in Abu Dhabi. In Iran’s Bandar Abbas region, state media reported one death in a joint U.S.-Israeli strike on a broadcasting center.

International Energy Agency chief Fatih Birol warned that the global economy faces a major threat from the ongoing energy crisis, comparing it to the oil shocks of the 1970s and the 2022 Ukraine war. French President Emmanuel Macron expressed solidarity with Saudi Arabia and reaffirmed support against Iranian missile and drone threats. Meanwhile, Lebanon’s Prime Minister Nawaf Salam accused Iran’s Revolutionary Guard of directing Hezbollah’s military operations.

Israel’s military chief said ground operations in Lebanon will intensify, calling them “just the beginning,” while a spokesperson predicted fighting against Iran and Hezbollah could continue for several weeks.

Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has directed government officials to remain alert against any irregularities in canal excavation projects aimed at improving agriculture, protecting the environment, and boosting fish and duck farming. He made the remarks on Monday, March 23, at the inauguration of the Neha River re-excavation work in Raipur Union of Thakurgaon Sadar upazila.

Addressing officials of the Water Development Board and the local administration, the minister emphasized that the work must be completed properly so that ordinary people benefit from it. He warned that the project should not be left unfinished after the inauguration and called for ensuring real progress. He also urged everyone to act honestly and responsibly, avoid misuse of religion, and contribute to positive social change.

Mirza Fakhrul added that the government has begun implementing its election pledges, including family cards, canal excavation, and agricultural cards for farmers. Referring to the global situation, he noted that ongoing wars are affecting various sectors, including agriculture, and called for preparedness to face these challenges.

International Energy Agency (IEA) Executive Director Fatih Birol has warned that the current global energy crisis poses a greater threat than the oil shocks of the 1970s and the disruptions caused by the 2022 Ukraine war. Speaking at the National Press Club in Canberra on March 23, 2026, Birol said the world economy is facing a major threat as the situation combines two major oil crises and one gas crisis. He urged for a coordinated global response to mitigate the impact, warning that no country would remain unaffected if the crisis continues.

Birol revealed that at least 40 key energy facilities in the Middle East have been severely damaged due to ongoing conflict in the region. To stabilize the situation, the IEA has begun discussions with Asian and European countries about releasing emergency oil reserves. Earlier this month, IEA member states announced a record release of 400 million barrels of oil to curb soaring global prices.

He emphasized that restoring regular supply through the Strait of Hormuz is essential for energy security and confirmed the agency’s readiness to release additional reserves if necessary.

A nationwide fuel shortage has disrupted operations at filling stations across Bangladesh, leading to unrest among customers. The Bangladesh Petroleum Dealers, Distributors, Agents and Petrol Pump Owners Association issued a warning on March 23, 2026, urging station owners to ensure staff safety and maintain order. The association said fuel supply would normalize once banks reopen after the Eid holidays, allowing payment orders to resume.

According to the association, the disruption stems from global supply constraints linked to the Iran war, which has limited fuel availability from depots. The situation has caused long queues and incidents of vandalism and assaults on station staff in several areas. The association’s convener, Syed Sajjadul Karim Kabul, signed a letter advising owners to seek police assistance or take personal safety measures if necessary.

The letter also noted that despite the government lifting fuel rationing on March 15, supply has not yet stabilized. Normal distribution is expected to resume once banking operations restart on Tuesday after the holiday period.

A worker named Enamul Haque saved hundreds of passengers by stopping a train using a banana blossom petal in Dinajpur’s Fulbari area on Monday morning. The incident occurred around 6:30 a.m. between the 352/5 and 352/6 kilometer points of the Fulbari-Birampur railway line near Purba Chandipur. Enamul noticed a one-foot break in the rail track and, lacking a red cloth, tied a red banana blossom petal to a stick and signaled an approaching intercity train from Dhaka to Panchagarh, which stopped in time.

Local residents alerted railway officials, and within half an hour, an engineering team arrived to repair the damaged section and restore train movement. Fulbari Station Master Shawkat Ali confirmed that train operations were halted for over thirty minutes before returning to normal. Enamul left for Faridpur after the incident, according to his family.

The quick action drew praise, especially in light of a recent derailment on the same route that disrupted service for 18 hours. Railway authorities credited Enamul’s presence of mind for preventing a potential disaster.