Iran’s Supreme Religious Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has proposed Iran’s mediation to improve relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan. In a national address on March 20, 2026, he emphasized that national unity would force adversaries to retreat and highlighted Pakistan’s strategic importance from a regional perspective. Khamenei said Iran was ready to facilitate dialogue between the two neighboring countries to promote stability and cooperation in the region.

He accused Iran’s opponents of trying to damage its relations with neighboring states, particularly Pakistan, and described Pakistan as a vital partner for Iran. Khamenei also identified the United States and Israel as Iran’s external enemies, asserting that the unity of the Iranian people would defeat their ambitions. He praised the Iranian public’s resilience during fasting and struggle, claiming it had already weakened adversaries.

Khamenei concluded that internal unity within Iranian society plays a decisive role in resisting external pressure and will continue to guide Iran’s response to regional and international challenges.

A police constable who went missing during a fisheries protection operation in Lalmohan, Bhola, was found dead two days later. His body was recovered from the Meghna River near Bottola in Daulatkhan Bhabanipur Union after locals spotted it. The deceased was identified as Md. Fakhrul, a constable from Bakerganj, Barishal, who had been living with his wife at the Mongolsikdar police outpost.

According to the report, Fakhrul went missing after a speedboat carrying police personnel overturned when it was hit by a launch during the operation. His wife alleged that her ailing husband had been forced to join the mission during Ramadan and blamed the fisheries office for the incident, seeking justice from the Prime Minister. Lalmohan Police Station Officer-in-Charge Md. Oliul Islam confirmed the recovery of the body.

The report did not mention further details about the investigation or any official response from the fisheries department regarding the allegations.

An Israeli reserve soldier working on the Iron Dome air defense system has been arrested for allegedly leaking classified information to Iran. The 26-year-old, identified as Raj Cohen, is accused of providing sensitive security data in exchange for money. According to the newspaper Haaretz, Israel’s Shin Bet security agency and the Lahav-433 special police unit carried out the arrest. Investigators found that Cohen had been in contact with Iranian agents for several months and acted under their direction.

Authorities claim Cohen knowingly communicated with Iranian operatives and accepted payment for the information. Formal charges have already been filed against him. Officials fear that critical details about the Iron Dome system, which intercepts short-range rockets, may have been compromised. The soldier reportedly lived in Jerusalem.

Israeli officials said enemy groups have intensified efforts to recruit spies through social media amid the ongoing conflict, while Israel has also increased intelligence operations in Iran and Lebanon. The report added that Iran recently detained several suspected spies accused of working for the United States and Israel, signaling heightened regional espionage activity.

Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury announced that the Zia Memorial Museum in Chattogram will soon be declared a heritage site and undergo necessary renovation work. He made the statement on Friday, March 20, after visiting the museum, emphasizing the importance of preserving the site linked to the country’s liberation history.

The minister noted that the museum, associated with the memory of martyred President Ziaur Rahman, is a significant national heritage asset that has not received due attention. He expressed concern that many valuable historical artifacts have deteriorated due to prolonged neglect. The government aims to improve the museum’s infrastructure so that future generations can gain an accurate understanding of the nation’s history.

Amir Khasru urged collective efforts to protect the country’s liberation war memories and related sites, describing their preservation as a shared national responsibility.

Bangladesh’s foreign currency reserves have strengthened ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr as remittance inflows increased notably over the past two weeks. According to Bangladesh Bank data, as of March 16, 2026, the country’s total reserves stood at 34.22 billion US dollars. Under the IMF’s BPM6 calculation method, the figure amounts to 29.52 billion dollars.

Earlier, on March 3, total reserves were recorded at 35.32 billion dollars, or 30.58 billion dollars under the IMF method. The rise in reserves has been supported by a significant inflow of remittances from expatriates, who sent over 2 billion dollars during the first 14 days of March. Total remittance inflows during this period reached 2.2044 billion dollars, equivalent to about 270 billion taka at an exchange rate of 122 taka per dollar.

The report notes that the increase in remittances has provided a timely boost to the country’s foreign exchange position before the Eid festival, though future flows could be affected if global conflicts persist.

Nasiruddin Patwari, chief coordinator of the National Citizen Party (NCP), has called for replacing Bangladesh’s current constitution, describing it as an Indian and Mujibist constitution that he labeled fascist. Speaking at an iftar gathering organized by the NCP’s Sadar upazila branch at Chandpur Press Club Community Center on March 18, he claimed that many people were martyred in July because of this constitution and argued that it has failed to protect citizens.

Patwari said that real change in Bangladesh must begin with constitutional reform, asserting that the existing framework enables authoritarianism. He warned that if the constitution is not changed, the party might launch a movement to reject it. He also criticized the Awami League, accusing it of attempting to rehabilitate itself politically, and urged people who support the party to go to India.

The event was attended by NCP joint coordinator Md. Mahbub Alam, Chandpur district Jamaat secretary Shahjahan Mia, Chandpur Press Club president Sohel Rushdi, general secretary M.A. Latif, and NCP Chandpur Sadar coordinator Tamim Khan.

Israeli forces prevented Palestinians from entering Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem to perform Eid al-Fitr prayers, citing security reasons. The mosque was closed on the day of Eid, forcing hundreds of worshippers to pray near its gates and surrounding streets. According to reports, this was the first time since 1967 that Eid prayers did not take place inside the mosque.

The closure led to heightened tension among Palestinians. Sheikh Ikrima Sabri, the mosque’s preacher and former Grand Mufti of Jerusalem, issued a religious directive urging Muslims to pray as close as possible to the mosque. Al Jazeera reported that when worshippers attempted to gather for Friday prayers, Israeli forces fired tear gas and dispersed them.

The incident occurred amid ongoing conflict involving Israel, Iran, and the United States, with Israel already imposing strict entry restrictions at Al-Aqsa. Observers noted that the closure further escalated regional tensions.

The Islamic Foundation has announced that the main Eid-ul-Fitr congregation in Dhaka will be held at the National Eidgah on the High Court premises at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday. If weather conditions or other unavoidable reasons prevent the event, the main congregation will move to the Baitul Mukarram National Mosque at 9:00 a.m. Mufti Muhammad Abdul Malek will lead the prayer, with Dr. Maulana Abu Saleh Patwari as the alternate imam. The President, Prime Minister, cabinet members, diplomats, and senior officials are expected to attend.

According to Dhaka North City Corporation, the National Eidgah can accommodate 90,000 to 100,000 worshippers, with special arrangements for about 330 VIPs and separate spaces for men and women. Baitul Mukarram will host five Eid congregations at intervals from 7:00 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. Additional prayers will take place at the Parliament’s South Plaza, Dhaka University Central Mosque, and various mosques and open grounds across the city.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police reported that 1,771 Eid congregations will be held this year, including 121 at Eidgahs and 1,599 at mosques, under coordinated security and traffic management plans.

Iranian rocket attacks on Jerusalem have increased, with four strikes reported on Thursday night and two more on Friday morning. No casualties have been reported so far. Additional attacks using other weapons were also launched toward northern and southern Israel. In response, Israel carried out strikes in Tehran, claiming to have targeted Iranian government infrastructure.

According to the Israeli military, Iran still possesses more than 150 operational missile launchers and several hundred ballistic missiles. Israel’s Kan News reported that since the start of the war, Iran has fired about 900 ballistic missiles, including 350 aimed at Israel and the rest toward Gulf countries. Iranian state-linked WANA news agency released a video showing missiles being launched from an undisclosed location.

While Israel asserts that it is preventing Iran from producing new missiles, a spokesperson for Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps stated that the country’s missile production industry remains fully active during wartime, with no concerns about production or stockpiles.

Syrian President Ahmed Al-Shara said his government is working to keep the country away from the ongoing Middle East war. Speaking after Eid al-Fitr prayers at the presidential palace in Damascus on Friday, he emphasized that Syria is taking every step with extreme caution to avoid involvement in any conflict.

Al-Shara noted that Syria had long been a center of conflict and instability for over 15 years but is now maintaining good relations with neighboring countries both regionally and internationally. He described the current situation as one of the most significant and rare historical events since World War II.

The president added that Syria’s careful approach aims to ensure the nation can continue on a path of development and reconstruction while avoiding entanglement in regional hostilities.

Global oil prices saw a slight decline on Friday, March 20, 2026, following weeks of volatility driven by ongoing geopolitical conflict in the Middle East. The closure of the Hormuz Strait, a key route for about 20 percent of global oil supply, and attacks on energy infrastructure had earlier pushed crude prices above 119 dollars per barrel. Brent crude fell 0.6 percent to 108 dollars per barrel, while U.S. benchmark WTI dropped 1.1 percent to 94.6 dollars.

Goldman Sachs warned that disruptions in energy supply could persist until 2027, keeping Brent prices above 100 dollars for an extended period and possibly surpassing the 2008 record of 147 dollars if conditions worsen. Meanwhile, Qatar’s Ras Laffan gas hub suffered a 17 percent reduction in LNG export capacity after an attack, with recovery expected to take up to five years.

U.S. President Donald Trump assured citizens that the situation would soon stabilize, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel was responding to U.S. calls to limit strikes on energy sites. However, reports of drones and missiles being intercepted over the Middle East suggest the conflict remains active.

US President Donald Trump has expressed anger toward NATO allies, hinting at possible diplomatic retaliation. According to Al Jazeera correspondent Kimberly Halkett reporting from Washington, Trump’s recent Truth Social post revealed his frustration over a lack of cooperation from allied nations regarding the Hormuz Strait issue. He accused several countries of failing to take action or show sufficient interest in addressing the situation.

Analysts cited in the report said Trump’s remarks reflect not only disappointment but also a sign of rising tension. In his comments, Trump downplayed NATO’s importance, labeled allied nations as “cowardly,” and warned that the United States would remember their inaction. The tone of his statement suggests that future diplomatic measures against these allies could be under consideration.

The report indicates that Trump’s stance may further strain relations within the NATO alliance, particularly concerning joint responses to international security challenges.

State Minister for Shipping Rajib Ahsan visited Dhaka’s Sadarghat Launch Terminal on Friday to monitor the final phase of Eid travel. He noted that passenger pressure had eased but warned that the return journey would pose a major challenge. Preparations have already been strengthened to ensure a smooth and safe return for travelers.

During the inspection, the minister spoke with passengers and closely observed the overall condition of passenger transport inside several launches. To prevent overloading, he instructed that vessels depart only with passengers within their approved capacity. He thanked officials, workers, and law enforcement personnel for their continuous efforts in managing the terminal and maintaining order.

Rajib Ahsan also urged all agencies involved in terminal operations to work in coordination to ensure that Eid travel remains smooth, safe, and disciplined. He expressed appreciation to journalists for their role in disseminating information and raising public awareness about waterway transport management.

Multiple unidentified drones were reportedly seen flying over a military base in Washington, D.C., where U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reside, according to The Washington Post. The sightings occurred on at least one night within the past ten days, prompting immediate security reviews. The U.S. government is considering relocating some senior officials for safety reasons, and a high-level meeting has been called at the White House to address the issue.

The source reports that the origin of the drones remains unknown. The incident comes amid heightened tensions between the United States and Israel over Iran, leading the U.S. military to strengthen security at its bases. The State Department has also instructed all American diplomatic missions worldwide to conduct security assessments.

Officials reportedly discussed the possibility of relocating Rubio and Hegseth due to the seriousness of the drone presence over Fort McNair, though no final decision has been made. Analysts suggest such incidents could pose new challenges for U.S. internal security systems.

India has appointed Vikram Doraiswami, currently serving as High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, as its new ambassador to China. He will replace Pradeep Kumar Rawat and is expected to assume his duties in Beijing soon. Doraiswami, a 1992 batch officer of the Indian Foreign Service, previously served as India’s High Commissioner to Bangladesh during Sheikh Hasina’s tenure and has also held ambassadorial roles in South Korea and Uzbekistan.

Doraiswami’s diplomatic experience includes earlier service in Beijing from 1996 to 2000, during which he studied the Chinese language at the Chinese University of Hong Kong. He has also held senior positions in India’s Ministry of External Affairs, notably leading the Indo-Pacific division. Before joining the foreign service, he briefly worked as a journalist and earned a master’s degree in history from the University of Delhi.

The appointment comes as part of India’s efforts to rebuild relations with China following the 2020 border conflict, with both sides still maintaining troop deployments along the frontier.