A Reuters/Ipsos poll revealed that only one in four Americans supported the joint US-Israeli strike in Iran that killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The survey, conducted while the operation was ongoing, found that 27 percent of respondents backed the attack, 43 percent opposed it, and 29 percent were uncertain. Nearly nine in ten participants said they had at least heard something about the strike, which began early Saturday.

According to the poll, 56 percent of Americans believe President Donald Trump is too eager to use military force to protect US interests. Among Democrats, 87 percent shared this view, compared with 23 percent of Republicans and 60 percent of independents. Within Trump’s party, 55 percent supported the strike, while 13 percent opposed it. However, 42 percent of Republicans said their support could decline if US troops were killed or injured.

The report noted that three US soldiers have been killed and five seriously wounded so far, as the attack has triggered a new and uncertain conflict in the Middle East.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer and Leader of the Opposition in Parliament Dr. Shafiqur Rahman said the party aims to build a compassionate society where everyone loves one another, regardless of familiarity. He made the remarks on Monday at an iftar event organized by the Bangladesh Workers Welfare Federation at the Diploma Engineers Institute in Kakrail, Dhaka. The event was chaired by the federation’s central president A N M Shamusul Islam and conducted by general secretary Advocate Atikur Rahman.

Dr. Rahman emphasized that fear of Allah is essential for establishing such a humane society and called on the federation to work sincerely for the real welfare of workers. He urged both employers and workers to maintain proper relations, describing them as complementary to each other. He also criticized those who incite conflict for personal gain, saying such actions hinder social harmony and progress.

He further noted that the federation’s mission to protect workers’ rights has only just begun and encouraged continued efforts toward justice and mutual respect in society.

Newly appointed Inspector General of Police (IGP) Md. Ali Hossain Fakir has issued a strict directive to all field-level police officers to adopt a zero-tolerance policy against extortion. Speaking on Monday, March 2, during an online meeting with district police superintendents from the Police Headquarters, he emphasized the need for firm action against snatching, extortion, and drug-related crimes.

The IGP instructed both highway and district police to intensify operations to curb extortion, robbery, and snatching on highways. He also directed measures to ensure safe and smooth travel for homebound people during the upcoming Eid, including preventing traffic congestion and ensuring passenger safety. Fakir urged officers to treat citizens respectfully at police stations so that they leave with satisfaction, stressing that no innocent person should face harassment.

He called on all district police superintendents to work in unity to build a safer Bangladesh. Senior officials, including additional IGPs, were present at the Police Headquarters during the meeting.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has appointed Revolutionary Guards General Majid Ebnolreza as the acting defense minister following the death of the previous minister in a joint Israeli and U.S. attack, according to Al Jazeera. The announcement was made by presidential communications adviser Mehdi Tabatabai through a post on social media platform X, confirming the president’s directive.

The appointment aims to ensure continuity in the operations of the defense ministry and to strengthen coordination in addressing the current situation. The decision comes amid heightened regional tensions following the reported attack that killed the former defense minister.

The move is expected to stabilize the ministry’s leadership and maintain Iran’s defense readiness during a period of uncertainty.

A preparatory meeting was held on Monday at the Rail Bhaban in Dhaka to ensure safe, smooth, and comfortable train travel for homebound passengers during the upcoming Eid-ul-Fitr. The meeting focused on maintaining law and order, preventing sabotage, and curbing ticket black marketing. Sheikh Robiul Alam MP, Minister of Road Transport and Bridges, Railways, and Shipping, gave necessary directives to the concerned authorities.

The meeting decided to continue selling an additional 25 percent of standing tickets beyond the fixed seat capacity, as in previous years. The minister instructed that standing ticket holders must not travel in air-conditioned or first-class compartments. Mobile courts will be deployed to detect ticketless passengers, prevent black marketing, and stop roof travel. Measures will also be taken to restrict entry of ticketless passengers at Kamalapur and Dhaka Airport stations.

The meeting, chaired by Railways Secretary Md. Fahimul Islam, was attended by senior officials including the Director General of Bangladesh Railway and state ministers Habibur Rashid MP and Md. Rajib Ahsan MP.

The prosecution has requested the International Crimes Tribunal-1 to formally frame charges and begin trial proceedings against former Food Minister Kamrul Islam and Workers Party President Rashed Khan Menon in a case related to crimes against humanity during the July Revolution killings. The hearing took place on Monday before a two-member judicial panel led by Justice Golam Mortuza Mozumdar, with Justice Mohitul Haque Enam Chowdhury as the other member.

Chief Prosecutor Aminul Islam presented three charges against the accused, alleging that Kamrul and Menon incited the use of lethal weapons and curfews against unarmed students and civilians to sustain the Sheikh Hasina government. The prosecution claimed that their actions led to shootings in areas including Badda between July 19 and August 5, 2024, resulting in killings for which they bear superior command responsibility.

Following the hearing, the defense sought more time, and the tribunal scheduled the next hearing for March 11. Both accused, arrested in 2024, were brought from prison to the tribunal for the session.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has claimed responsibility for missile attacks targeting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office and the headquarters of the Israeli Air Force. The claim was reported on Monday, March 2, 2026, by Iran’s state-run Fars News Agency, citing an official IRGC statement.

According to the IRGC statement, the strikes were directed at what it described as the office of the “criminal prime minister of the Zionist regime” and the command headquarters of the Israeli Air Force. The statement further said that Iran used its domestically developed Khaibar missiles in the operation.

The report did not provide details about the extent of the damage, casualties, or Israel’s response to the alleged attacks.

Indian Assistant High Commissioner to Sylhet, Aniruddha Das, visited the Sri-Sri Ramakrishna Sevashram in Sreemangal, Moulvibazar, on Monday, March 2, 2026. Following his visit, he attended a meeting with the Sevashram’s executive committee as the chief guest. During the event, he highlighted the Ramakrishna Mission’s role in promoting non-communal values, education, and moral principles through humanitarian activities, and noted its contribution to strengthening cultural and spiritual ties between Bangladesh and India.

The meeting was chaired by Dr. Nibas Chandra Pal, president of the Sevashram’s executive committee, and conducted by Dipshikha Dhar, vice-president of Sreemangal Sarada Samiti. Rajesh Bhatia, Second Secretary (PIC&E) at the Indian Assistant High Commission in Sylhet, attended as a special guest and praised the Mission’s service-oriented initiatives, expressing hope for their continuation. Other committee leaders, including General Secretary Nirmalendu Bhattacharya, were also present.

At the end of the discussion, both guests were honored with crests and traditional scarves. The Assistant High Commissioner also toured various Mission activities and exchanged views with members.

Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam has announced a strict ban on any military or security operations conducted outside the state framework from Lebanese territory. The declaration, issued on March 2, 2026, specifically prohibits Hezbollah from engaging in military activities and confines the group’s role solely to political functions. The prime minister stated that security agencies have been instructed to take necessary measures to prevent any attacks originating from within Lebanon.

According to the official government statement, Hezbollah will now be allowed to operate only as a political organization, with all forms of military action fully prohibited. The directive underscores the government’s effort to assert state control over national security and prevent unauthorized armed operations.

The announcement marks a significant policy stance by the Lebanese government, signaling an attempt to reinforce state sovereignty and reduce the influence of non-state military actors within its borders.

India and Canada have signed a long-term agreement for uranium supply, announced after a meeting between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney in New Delhi. The deal, valued at around three billion US dollars and lasting ten years, was formally exchanged on Monday morning, followed by a joint press conference confirming the agreement.

Canada, the world’s second-largest uranium supplier, has been providing uranium to India since 2013. The newly signed contract will be executed by Cameco, one of the world’s leading uranium fuel producers. According to BBC reports, India is seeking alternative energy sources such as uranium, oil, gas, and coal amid pressure from the United States to reduce energy imports from Russia.

During Carney’s visit, the two countries also signed cooperation agreements in defense, education, and energy sectors. Both leaders indicated that India and Canada are moving toward finalizing an economic cooperation agreement within the year, following nearly fifteen years of free trade discussions.

The United States and six Gulf allies issued a joint statement describing Iran’s recent actions in the region as highly dangerous and a threat to Middle East stability. The statement, released by Kuwait’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, warned that civilians and non-combatant countries were being targeted, undermining regional security.

The Arabic-language statement was jointly issued by Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, and the United States. It emphasized that these nations reserve the right to self-defense if Iran’s attacks continue. The statement also reported that attacks had occurred in Bahrain, Iraq (including the Kurdistan region), Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE.

The joint declaration reflects growing concern among Gulf states and Washington over escalating tensions linked to Iran’s regional military activities, which they view as destabilizing the broader Middle East.

Bangladesh’s Foreign Affairs Adviser Humayun Kabir met with the Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China in Dhaka for a courtesy call at the Prime Minister’s Office on Monday. The meeting focused on the longstanding and friendly relations between Bangladesh and China, which both sides said were built on mutual trust, respect, and cooperation since the time of Ziaur Rahman.

During the discussion, the two sides exchanged views on expanding cooperation in trade, investment, infrastructure development, energy, information technology, education, and human resource development. The adviser thanked China for its continued support in Bangladesh’s socio-economic progress and described China as one of the country’s key development partners.

The Chinese Ambassador assured continued assistance for Bangladesh’s ongoing development initiatives and expressed commitment to expedite projects of mutual interest. Both parties emphasized maintaining close communication and coordination to elevate bilateral relations to new heights in the future.

The United States military confirmed that three of its F-15E Strike Eagle fighter jets were accidentally shot down by Kuwait’s own air defense system during an Iranian attack. The incident occurred while the aircraft were engaged in a combat mission over Kuwait amid Iranian strikes involving aircraft, ballistic missiles, and drones. All six crew members aboard the downed jets ejected safely and have been rescued in stable condition.

According to the US Central Command, the mishap took place as Kuwait’s defense systems responded to Iranian aggression. Kuwait has acknowledged the incident, and the US military expressed gratitude for Kuwait’s efforts and continued support in the ongoing operation. The statement emphasized that the shootdown was unintentional.

Separately, Iranian state television claimed responsibility for targeting one of the downed US aircraft in Kuwait but did not provide further details. The event marks the first reported instance of Iran’s older air fleet participating directly in the current conflict.

Bangladesh’s Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan informed US Ambassador Brent Christensen that security measures have been strengthened in Dhaka’s diplomatic zone, including the US Embassy, due to the ongoing Iran war. The announcement came during a meeting at the Secretariat on Monday, where the minister said Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) forces had been deployed alongside regular law enforcement to enhance vigilance.

According to a ministry statement, the meeting covered law enforcement cooperation, counterterrorism, illegal migration, and the implementation of the SPEAR program and Electronic Nationality Verification (ENV) system. The minister described the United States as a close ally supporting Bangladesh’s security and counterterrorism efforts. Ambassador Christensen expressed interest in finalizing a memorandum of understanding to implement the SPEAR program and warned that US funding could be withdrawn if delayed.

Christensen also noted US support since 2010 in training around 30,000 Bangladeshi police officers and providing equipment, though he expressed concern that frequent transfers and retirements had limited results. The minister promised corrective steps and directed officials to organize a workshop with relevant stakeholders.

Authorities in Cyprus evacuated the passenger terminal of Paphos Airport after radar detected a suspicious object, according to the country’s state broadcaster. The airport, located on the island’s western coast, is under the control of the Republic of Cyprus and lies about 60 kilometers from Britain’s Royal Air Force (RAF) Akrotiri base.

The evacuation followed a drone attack the previous night targeting the Akrotiri base. Around midday local time on Monday, sirens were heard at the British base and fighter jets were seen taking off. Officials have not released further details about the suspicious object detected near Paphos Airport.

No additional information was immediately available regarding the nature or origin of the object, and authorities have not confirmed any link between the radar detection and the earlier drone incident.