Iran has expressed anger at the United Nations for remaining silent over the killings of several top Iranian leaders during ongoing US-Israeli attacks. The conflict has entered its twentieth day, with Iran continuing counterstrikes on American installations in the Gulf region. Tehran’s envoy to the UN Security Council has formally lodged a letter criticizing the Council’s inaction.

According to the letter cited by Mehr News, Iranian representative Amir Sayyed Iravani accused the Security Council’s inaction of emboldening Israel to intensify its targeted killings. He warned that if the situation remains unchecked, such assassinations could become commonplace and spread to other countries.

The report also mentioned that the United States may ease restrictions on Iranian oil and that Iran is considering collecting tolls in the Strait of Hormuz, reflecting the broader geopolitical tensions surrounding the conflict.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has voiced deep concern over a potential nuclear disaster as tensions escalate among Iran, the United States, and Israel in the Middle East. WHO’s Eastern Mediterranean Regional Director, Hanan Balkhy, told Politico that the organization is preparing for possible radiation risks and warned that any such incident would have catastrophic consequences. She said that while preparations are underway, the damage could not be fully prevented and its effects might last for decades.

The report notes that the United States possesses the world’s largest nuclear arsenal, while Israel, though not officially acknowledging it, is regarded as the only nuclear-armed state in the region. According to the International Atomic Energy Agency, Iran has not yet enriched uranium to weapons-grade levels, though its nuclear program remains a source of long-standing concern. In June last year, the United States carried out strikes on Iran’s Natanz, Isfahan, and Fordow nuclear facilities, which President Donald Trump claimed were “completely destroyed.”

Balkhy cited the 1945 atomic bombings in Japan and the 1986 Chernobyl disaster as examples of long-term health and environmental impacts. WHO is currently advising governments on preparedness measures, though details of its guidance have not been disclosed.

Eid al-Fitr is being celebrated today, Thursday, March 19, 2026, in Afghanistan, Niger, and Mali following the sighting of the Shawwal moon. The announcement was made on Wednesday, after which final preparations for the festival began overnight in these countries. The celebration marks the end of Ramadan, a month of fasting, and ushers in a period of joy and festivity for Muslims.

The date of Eid varies across countries depending on local moon sightings. While some nations are observing Eid today, others will celebrate it a day later. According to the report, 23 countries, including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Turkey, and Canada, will begin Eid celebrations on Friday, March 20, 2026.

The variation in celebration dates highlights the regional differences in moon sighting practices that determine the Islamic calendar’s transition from Ramadan to Shawwal.

The Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) has launched a nationwide security plan ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr to ensure public safety and prevent potential sabotage. According to a press release issued on March 19, 2026, RAB has deployed extensive personnel across all battalions, strengthened intelligence surveillance, and implemented field-level operations to safeguard Eid congregations and travelers heading home for the holidays.

The measures include operating control rooms, maintaining striking reserves, conducting regular foot and mobile patrols, and setting up checkpoints at key locations. In Dhaka, a multi-layered security ring has been established around the National Eidgah, with entry-point searches, CCTV monitoring, and bomb disposal units on standby. Similar security reinforcements have been made at major Eidgahs in Sholakia and Dinajpur, where sweeping operations are being carried out before and after Eid.

RAB has also intensified monitoring at transport hubs such as bus terminals, railway stations, launch terminals, and ferry ghats to prevent harassment, ticket black marketing, and fare overcharging. Its cyber monitoring team remains active to counter online rumors and misinformation, aiming to ensure a peaceful and orderly Eid celebration nationwide.

Afghanistan is celebrating Eid al-Fitr on Thursday, March 19, 2026, following the sighting of the Shawwal moon. The Taliban administration announced the decision late Wednesday night, according to Khaama Press. The country’s Supreme Court confirmed that the moon was sighted in Helmand, Farah, and Ghor provinces, and the government’s moon-sighting committee approved the testimonies. Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid declared Thursday as the first day of Eid and extended greetings to the nation.

The announcement has created a difference in Eid dates compared to many other Muslim-majority countries. Saudi Arabia said Eid would be observed on Friday as the moon was not sighted on Wednesday, a decision also followed by the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Qatar, and Kuwait. Turkey, Australia, Yemen, Lebanon, Palestine, and Iraq have also set Friday for Eid based on astronomical calculations.

The variation in Eid dates arises from differing moon-sighting methods. Some countries rely on physical sightings, while others use astronomical calculations. Since the Taliban’s return to power in 2021, Afghanistan has increasingly emphasized its own moon-sighting process rather than aligning with Saudi Arabia.

Qatar has declared the military and security-affiliated officials and staff of Iran’s embassy in Doha as persona non grata. The country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that those affected must leave Qatar within 24 hours. The decision follows repeated attacks by Iran on Qatari territory, according to the ministry’s statement issued on Wednesday evening.

The ministry said a formal memorandum was handed to the Iranian embassy, confirming that Qatar considers the Iranian military and security-linked personnel and their staff as unwelcome. The announcement came during a meeting between Ibrahim Yousuf Fakhro, Director of the Protocol Department at Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Iranian Ambassador Ali Saleh Abadi.

Qatar’s foreign ministry emphasized that if Iran’s hostile behavior continues, Doha will take additional measures to safeguard its sovereignty, security, and national interests.

French President Emmanuel Macron held phone conversations with U.S. President Donald Trump and Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani following an Iranian missile attack on Qatar’s Ras Laffan industrial city. The area is a key center for the country’s natural gas production.

In a post on social media platform X, Macron said that attacks targeting civilian infrastructure, particularly energy and water supply systems, must stop immediately. He emphasized the importance of protecting civilians, ensuring their basic needs, and maintaining the stability of global energy supplies by avoiding further military escalation.

The discussions and Macron’s statement highlight growing international concern over the security of critical energy facilities and the potential impact of regional tensions on global energy stability.

Mohammad Elmasry of the Doha Institute for Graduate Studies stated that Israel’s attack on Iran’s South Pars gas field has intensified debate over who controls U.S. foreign policy. Former U.S. President Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social that he was unaware of the strike. Elmasry, however, suggested it is unlikely Trump was uninformed, arguing that Israel would not have acted without his approval.

Elmasry further claimed that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu may have influenced Trump to authorize the move, pointing to growing unease in Washington. He asserted that Israel controls many aspects of U.S. foreign policy and noted that even Trump’s supporters are beginning to question the relationship. According to him, Israel’s goal is to create instability, bring down the Iranian state, and spread chaos across the Gulf and the wider Middle East.

Elmasry warned that the consequences of such actions could be disastrous for Gulf countries, Europe, and the United States.

Mohammad Abdul Bashir (Bashir Jamal), Managing Director of the Bangladesh Journalists Welfare Trust, announced that journalists will receive retirement allowances under the current government. He made the statement on Thursday at a meeting with district and upazila journalists organized by the Shayestaganj Press Club in Habiganj, where he attended as the chief guest. Bashir Jamal described the government as journalist-friendly and said several initiatives are being taken for journalists’ welfare.

He recalled that former President Ziaur Rahman had arranged housing for journalists, and Begum Khaleda Zia had expanded those efforts. Bashir Jamal noted that many journalists work without regular pay but continue their profession out of respect for truth. The Bangladesh Journalists Welfare Trust, he said, works to support helpless, distressed, and affected journalists.

He assured that all journalists in Habiganj would receive assistance through the Welfare Trust. The meeting was chaired by Shayestaganj Press Club President Moinul Hasan Ratan and attended by several local media representatives.

The National Moon Sighting Committee of Bangladesh will hold a meeting this evening to review moon sighting information for the holy month of Shawwal and determine the date of Eid-ul-Fitr, the largest religious festival for Muslims. According to an Islamic Foundation press release issued on Wednesday, the meeting will take place at 6 p.m. in the conference room of the Islamic Foundation located at Baitul Mukarram National Mosque.

The statement added that the meeting will be chaired by the Minister of Religious Affairs, Kazi Shah Mofazzal Hossain Kaykobad. The Islamic Foundation has requested that if the Shawwal moon is sighted anywhere in the country, people should inform the committee through the provided phone numbers or contact the respective district commissioner or upazila executive officer.

The committee’s decision will confirm the official date of Eid-ul-Fitr, marking the end of Ramadan and the beginning of Shawwal, based on verified moon sighting reports.

Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud has described Iran’s recent attack on Saudi energy installations as a clear attempt at blackmail. The incident occurred just before a conference of regional and Islamic foreign ministers in Riyadh, which he said showed deliberate timing. Saudi authorities reported intercepting and destroying four ballistic missiles aimed at the capital.

Faisal stated that the attack was intended to intimidate delegates attending the conference and to signal that Iran would not retreat from its actions. He emphasized that Saudi Arabia was not frightened but argued that Iran’s conduct demonstrated it could not be a trustworthy partner. According to him, the incident completely eroded whatever limited trust remained toward Iran.

The remarks, reported by Al Jazeera, underscore rising tensions between the two countries and highlight the fragile state of regional diplomacy amid ongoing security threats.

An emergency discussion meeting organized by Dawatus Sunnah Bangladesh was held on March 19, 2026, at the Azimpur Chapra Jame Mosque auditorium in Old Dhaka. The event aimed to caution Muslims against observing fasting and Eid based on astronomical or Hijri calendar calculations instead of actual moon sighting. The meeting was presided over by Mufti Zubair bin Abdul Quddus, director of Dawatus Sunnah Bangladesh and khatib of the mosque, with participation from several Islamic scholars including Maulana Shafiqul Islam.

In his main address, Mufti Zubair argued that following an astronomy-based Hijri calendar contradicts Quranic and Hadith principles, which require physical moon sighting to determine the start and end of Ramadan. He cited five reasons for rejecting astronomical calculations, including inconsistencies between scientific predictions and actual moon sightings in different countries. He also stated that following moon reports from distant regions such as Saudi Arabia is not religiously valid.

Speakers at the event urged Muslims to rely solely on local moon sightings for religious observances and warned against those promoting astronomy-based methods, calling them misleading. The meeting concluded with prayers for national welfare.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has decided to stay at his personal residence on Gulshan Avenue in Dhaka rather than moving into the state guesthouse Jamuna. The decision was confirmed by his additional press secretary, Atikur Rahman Ruman, who said the prime minister feels more comfortable living in his own home. Since returning to Bangladesh from London on December 25 last year after 17 years in exile, Rahman has been residing at the Gulshan house, which has been prepared for his stay.

The house, located near the residence once occupied by his mother and BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia, was originally allocated to her after the assassination of President Ziaur Rahman. Last year, the ownership documents were formally handed over by the housing ministry and Rajuk officials. Although the government had planned to use the renovated Jamuna guesthouse as the official prime minister’s residence, Rahman opted not to move there.

According to Ruman, state functions will still be held at Jamuna, where two iftar events have already taken place and an Eid reception is scheduled for 10 a.m. on Eid day.

Hong Kong-based airline Cathay Pacific has announced the suspension of all flights to Dubai until April 30, 2026, citing the deteriorating security situation in the Middle East. The decision was disclosed in a statement released on Wednesday, which attributed the move to the ongoing regional conflict.

According to AFP, the airline indicated that further adjustments to its flight schedule may occur depending on future developments. Earlier in March, Cathay Pacific had already canceled flights to both Dubai and Riyadh, and the suspension has now been extended through the end of April. The airline has also doubled fuel surcharges on most routes this month due to rising fuel prices triggered by the war, a trend mirrored by Hong Kong Airlines, which raised its surcharge twice within a week.

Cathay Pacific noted that demand for Europe-bound travel has increased, prompting the addition of extra flights in March. The airline said long-haul passenger demand has generally risen as travelers seek alternatives to Middle East routes.

European natural gas prices rose by up to 35 percent on Thursday following attacks on energy infrastructure in the Gulf region. The benchmark Brent crude price climbed to 112 dollars per barrel, up from 107.38 dollars the previous day. Since the start of the conflict, crude oil prices have increased by more than 48 percent and have not fallen below 100 dollars per barrel since March 13.

In the United Kingdom, gas prices jumped more than 20 percent in the morning and later stood 23 percent higher at 171 pence per therm. Meanwhile, oil traded around 113 dollars per barrel, marking a 5 percent increase. Qatar’s state-owned energy company reported that two Iranian attacks caused significant damage to its main gas hub.

The developments have intensified concerns over global energy supply stability, with markets reacting sharply to the disruptions in the Gulf region.