US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has claimed that an American submarine sank an Iranian warship in the Indian Ocean using a torpedo. The incident reportedly left at least 80 people dead, according to Sri Lanka’s deputy foreign minister, who said the vessel was returning to Iran from an eastern Indian port. Hegseth made the announcement during a Pentagon briefing on Wednesday, describing the strike as part of ongoing operations against Iran.

During the briefing, Hegseth said the attack marked only the beginning of joint US and Israeli military actions against Iran, warning of larger assaults ahead. He added that American and Israeli forces expect to gain full control of Iranian airspace within days, less than a week after the conflict began. Hegseth also confirmed that additional US troops are being deployed to the Middle East to ensure victory.

He emphasized that the campaign remains in its early stages and that the United States will take as much time as needed to secure success, echoing President Trump’s position. The information was reported by Al Jazeera and the BBC.

The United Nations Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on Iran has strongly condemned recent US-Israeli attacks on Iranian territory. In a statement released on March 4, 2026, the mission said the assaults were contrary to the UN Charter, which prohibits the use of force against any state's territorial integrity or political independence.

The committee emphasized that such actions undermine international law and the principles of sovereignty enshrined in the UN framework. The condemnation comes amid heightened regional tensions, with reports of military deployments and disruptions in the Persian Gulf area.

The mission’s statement underscores growing international concern over escalating hostilities and calls attention to the need for adherence to international norms governing state conduct.

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated that the United States has sunk an Iranian warship in the Indian Ocean. According to Hegseth, the vessel was operating in international waters and was destroyed by a torpedo. He did not specify which Iranian ship was targeted in the operation.

Earlier, Sri Lanka’s navy reported that a ship named IRIS Dena had sunk in the Indian Ocean, with around 140 people reported missing. The US statement did not confirm whether this was the same vessel mentioned by Sri Lanka.

The incident adds to rising maritime tensions in the region, though no further details about the engagement or its aftermath were provided in the report.

Israel’s Ministry of Finance reported that the country could face economic losses of about $3 billion per week due to the ongoing war with Iran. The ministry stated on Wednesday that restrictions under the Home Front Command’s ‘red’ alert have limited workplace attendance, closed schools, and mobilized reserve forces, leading to an estimated weekly loss of 9.4 billion shekels starting next week.

The conflict intensified after a joint U.S.-Israel strike in Iran last Saturday killed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and several senior officials. In response, Tehran launched retaliatory attacks targeting U.S. bases and Israeli facilities across the Middle East, according to Reuters.

The ministry’s projection highlights the severe economic strain Israel faces as military operations and emergency restrictions disrupt normal economic activity.

Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury has returned to his residence in Gulshan after receiving medical care under close observation for four days. His personal assistant, Shahiduzzaman, confirmed on Wednesday that the minister was discharged from the hospital at noon and advised by doctors to take complete rest.

According to the assistant, the minister continues to handle urgent ministry files and official duties from home. During his hospital stay, he also managed essential administrative work from his hospital room. Amir Khosru had been admitted to United Hospital in Gulshan on March 1 after being diagnosed with pneumonia.

Doctors have recommended that he remain on full rest while continuing limited official responsibilities from home as part of his recovery process.

QatarEnergy, the world’s largest producer of liquefied natural gas (LNG), has declared force majeure for its affected buyers after halting LNG and related product output. The company announced on Monday that production at its facilities in Ras Laffan Industrial City and Mesaieed Industrial City was suspended due to military attacks on those sites.

According to QatarEnergy, the force majeure declaration releases it from liability for failing to meet supply obligations caused by events beyond its control. The announcement immediately triggered a sharp reaction in global energy markets, with benchmark Dutch and British wholesale gas prices rising by about 50 percent, and benchmark Asian LNG prices increasing by roughly 39 percent.

Given Qatar’s central role in global LNG supply, the production shutdown has had a significant impact on international energy markets, intensifying concerns over supply stability and price volatility.

Bangladesh’s Information and Broadcasting Minister, Zahid Uddin Swapon, stated that journalists themselves should determine the boundaries of accountability necessary to ensure maximum media freedom. Speaking as the chief guest at an iftar event organized by the Chittagong Press Club at Chittagong Club on Wednesday evening, he emphasized that the government should not unilaterally set these limits, as doing so would mirror past administrations. He assured that the ministry is prepared to protect media independence from interference by intelligence agencies, state authorities, or external actors.

The minister added that the government currently lacks a clear policy for distributing advertisements or grants to media outlets, which has led to unregulated growth of publications. He mentioned that discussions are ongoing with journalist associations to create a joint roadmap for institutionalizing media freedom. Swapon also said the government would consider implementing the wage board in the future, treating compliant and non-compliant outlets differently.

At the same event, Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists’ Secretary General Kader Gani Chowdhury urged that journalists must remain independent and act as watchdogs to restore public trust.

City Bank PLC, one of Bangladesh’s leading sustainable banks, has signed the United Nations Principles for Responsible Banking (PRB), becoming a member of the UN Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI). The announcement was made on March 4, 2026. Through this move, City Bank aims to align its operations with global standards for sustainable finance and responsible banking practices.

The PRB, developed by UNEP FI in collaboration with banks worldwide, provides a global framework for aligning banking strategies with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Paris Agreement on climate change. Established in 1992, UNEP FI connects financial institutions with the United Nations to advance sustainable finance, currently working with over 550 banks and insurers globally.

As a PRB signatory, City Bank will integrate responsible banking principles into its business strategy, risk management, and decision-making processes. The bank will assess and disclose its environmental and social impacts, set measurable targets in key areas, and enhance transparency and accountability in line with international practices.

More than 4 million taxpayers have submitted online income tax returns for the 2025–26 fiscal year in Bangladesh, according to the National Board of Revenue (NBR). Of them, 2.2 million, or about 55 percent, filed zero returns, declaring income below the taxable threshold. Among these, 1.44 million are male and 765,197 are female taxpayers. The NBR noted that while income up to 350,000 taka is tax-free for general taxpayers, the limit is higher for women, senior citizens, third gender individuals, and persons with disabilities.

Despite being below the taxable limit, many taxpayers are required to file returns to access 24 types of services. The NBR warned that some individuals intentionally underreport income to file zero returns and may face legal action. Historically, up to 70 percent of returns were zero, indicating a decline this year. The NBR also provided detailed breakdowns of income ranges and surcharge payments.

Online e-filing has been made mandatory this fiscal year, except for elderly, disabled, expatriate, and certain other taxpayers. The filing deadline, extended for the fourth time, is now set for March 31, 2026.

The Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has intensified surveillance across the country’s borders to prevent fuel smuggling, citing the ongoing global energy situation. In a brief statement issued on Wednesday, BGB said maximum precautionary measures have been implemented at various border points to stop illegal cross-border movement of petroleum products.

According to BGB headquarters, heightened alert has been declared in all frontier areas considering the current volatility in the international energy market. The force warned that any attempt to smuggle diesel, petrol, or other petroleum products across the border will be dealt with strictly under the law. Intelligence monitoring and regular patrols have also been reinforced to ensure tighter control over border activities.

The measures reflect Bangladesh’s effort to safeguard its energy resources and maintain stability in fuel supply amid global market uncertainty.

Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) Administrator Bir Muktijoddha Md Abdus Salam has warned that contractors charging more than Tk 100 for household waste collection will face action. He made the statement while addressing a special cleanliness and mosquito control program at Shahidnagar cremation ground in Lalbagh, organized under DSCC’s month-long campaign. Dhaka-7 MP Hamidur Rahman Hamid attended as a special guest.

The program, held in Ward 24, involved around 200 DSCC workers from the waste management and health departments. They cleaned canals, drains, and footpaths and applied mosquito repellents. A public awareness rally was also held with local residents’ participation. Abdus Salam urged citizens to report any overcharging, promising contract cancellation if complaints are proven.

He also announced that burial and cremation registration fees at DSCC cemeteries and cremation grounds have been reduced from Tk 1,000 to Tk 500, following the Prime Minister’s directive. The administrator called on all political activists and residents to support efforts to make Dhaka cleaner and more livable under the “Clean Dhaka, Green Dhaka” initiative.

A container ship was struck by a missile in the Strait of Hormuz, north of Oman, according to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO). The incident occurred on Wednesday, causing a fire in the vessel’s engine room. Immediate reports of casualties or damage were not available at the time of the announcement.

UKMTO, which monitors commercial shipping activity, stated that there were no reports of environmental impact following the attack. The organization continues to assess the situation in coordination with relevant maritime authorities. The source of the missile strike and the identity of the vessel were not disclosed in the initial report.

The Strait of Hormuz is a critical maritime route for global oil and goods transport, and any disruption in this area can affect international shipping operations. However, the report did not indicate whether broader shipping activity had been impacted by this specific incident.

European Council President Antonio Costa spoke by phone with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez to reaffirm the European Union’s full support for Spain. The conversation came after U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to halt all trade with Spain for refusing to allow the use of its military bases in a mission related to Iran.

In a post on social media platform X, Costa said he had expressed the EU’s full solidarity with Spain. He added that the Union would always ensure the complete protection of its member states’ interests, while reiterating its commitment to international law and the global rules-based order.

The exchange has brought renewed attention to diplomatic tensions between the European Union and the United States following Trump’s warning, highlighting potential strains in transatlantic relations.

Black flags were seen flying at the Iran-Turkey border following the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. According to the report, the flags replaced Iran’s national flag at the Razi border crossing on the Turkish entry point. The incident occurred after widespread attacks across Iran began on February 28, reportedly carried out by the United States and Israel.

The black flags are believed to have been raised as a symbol of mourning for Khamenei’s death. The report cited BBC as the source of this information. The attacks and the leader’s death have drawn attention to heightened tensions in the region, though no further details were provided about the ongoing situation or official responses.

The display of mourning at the border underscores the gravity of the event within Iran and its symbolic impact on neighboring areas, particularly along the shared frontier with Turkey.

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has claimed that an American submarine sank an Iranian warship in the Indian Ocean using a torpedo. The incident reportedly occurred near Sri Lanka, resulting in at least 80 deaths, according to Sri Lankan authorities. The country’s deputy foreign minister told local television that the vessel was returning to Iran from an eastern Indian port when it was attacked.

The Iranian frigate, identified as IRIS Dena, had participated in India’s multinational naval exercise ‘Milan 2026’. It had also joined the same exercise in 2024. After completing this year’s drill, the warship began its journey back to Iran but never reached its destination. Questions have since arisen about why the Iranian vessel was positioned near Sri Lanka at the time of the attack.

The sinking has drawn attention to rising tensions in the Indian Ocean region, though the source does not specify any official responses from Iran or the United States beyond the initial claim.