US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated that the United States seeks a negotiated agreement with Iran but remains prepared to continue the conflict if talks fail. He emphasized that the ongoing Iran war would end only under the conditions set by President Donald Trump, underscoring Washington’s firm stance on the matter.

Hegseth also mentioned that the United States is continuing discussions with Iran and called on other nations to help ensure the openness of the strategic Strait of Hormuz. His remarks were reported by Al Jazeera, reflecting the administration’s dual approach of diplomacy backed by military readiness.

The statement comes amid reports of rising fuel prices worldwide and significant casualties linked to the Iran war, including claims by Iran’s Red Crescent that 234 students have been killed and 1,268 deaths reported in Lebanon.

A case has been filed against Aminul Islam Sujon, the organizational secretary of Brahmanpara Upazila Awami League and former vice chairman of the upazila council, for allegedly assaulting acting headmistress Hasina Islam at Berakhla Abdul Matin Khasru Girls’ High School in Comilla. The incident occurred last Sunday, and the victim filed the case on Monday night at Brahmanpara Police Station, naming 11 accused including Sujon. The charges include attempted murder and violence against women.

According to the report, Sujon had previously been dismissed from his teaching post in 2019 for using a fake certificate and forging official signatures. After claiming a favorable court verdict, he rejoined the school two weeks ago, which allegedly led to tensions with the acting headmistress. Sujon and his cousin Sohel Rana, a local Jubo Dal leader, are accused of leading a group of supporters to attack the school.

Local officials confirmed that police are investigating the case and promised no one will be spared if found guilty. The accused, however, claimed he was being harassed and that the dispute arose during his attempt to resume duties following official advice.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has accused the United States and Israel of deliberately avoiding efforts to normalize relations and reduce tensions in the Middle East. Speaking to Reuters, Lavrov said Washington and Tel Aviv show no genuine interest in improving ties between Iran and its neighbors, instead pursuing policies that prolong conflicts and sustain regional unrest.

Lavrov further claimed that the ongoing crises in the Middle East reflect a clear trend of regime change aimed at securing control over oil and gas resources. He argued that such actions not only weaken regional stability but also intensify competition among global powers.

The Russian diplomat warned that if the current situation remains unchecked, it could escalate into a broader regional conflict. He cautioned that the expanding scope of the Middle East crisis risks upsetting the balance of power and could pose a threat to global security.

The Iranian government announced that one of its largest pharmaceutical companies, which produces anesthetic and cancer treatment drugs, was targeted in a joint US and Israeli strike on Tuesday. The attack reportedly damaged the company’s production lines. The statement was released through a post on the X platform, describing the incident as a strike on a civilian facility.

According to the government, the affected company is owned by the Social Security Investment Company, a state-run holding entity that manages pension funds. The announcement framed the strike as part of broader hostilities impacting civilian infrastructure.

The report did not specify the location of the facility or provide details about casualties or the extent of the damage.

A new analysis by environmental group 350.org reports that the global rise in fuel and gas prices, driven by the ongoing Iran war, has caused an estimated $111 billion in losses to consumers and businesses within a month. The organization warned that major oil companies such as Chevron, Shell, and ExxonMobil could gain billions in additional profits from the crisis.

According to 350.org, imposing taxes on these windfall profits could help offset the economic impact of rising energy costs. The group noted that its estimate does not include indirect effects such as higher fertilizer and food prices, suggesting that the real economic damage may be significantly greater. It also cited examples of policy responses, including a proposed windfall tax in the Philippines, renewed export taxes in India, and Indonesia’s plan to install 100 gigawatts of solar power to strengthen energy independence.

The organization emphasized that investment in renewable energy could help stabilize global energy prices over time.

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated that while the United States’ military strength is increasing, Iran’s military capability is weakening. He made the remarks during a briefing on the latest situation in the ongoing war involving Iran. According to Hegseth, President Donald Trump is taking actions that no previous president had dared to take.

Hegseth added that Iran launched the fewest number of missiles in the past 24 hours, suggesting a decline in its operational activity. He claimed that the morale of Iran’s armed forces has deteriorated, leading some members to leave the service and causing frustration among senior military leaders. The briefing highlighted the shifting balance of military momentum between the two nations.

The report also referenced broader regional developments, including the rise of a new alliance among four Muslim countries and the rising fuel prices worldwide due to the war’s impact, indicating the conflict’s expanding geopolitical and economic consequences.

The White House indicated that President Donald Trump may request financial assistance from Gulf countries to help cover the costs of the ongoing Iran-US-Israel war. Press Secretary Carolyn Levitt, when asked whether Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates would contribute a major share of the war expenses as they did during the 1990–91 Gulf War, said the president might be interested in making such an appeal and that further details could come soon.

The first Gulf War began after Saddam Hussein’s invasion of Kuwait, when regional states along with Japan, Germany, and South Korea bore significant portions of the war costs. In the current conflict, which the United States initiated, Gulf nations have shown reluctance to get involved, fearing economic repercussions from potential Iranian retaliation. Analysts cited in the report said these countries are already facing major revenue and infrastructure losses.

Levitt also stated that the United States has carried out more than 11,000 strikes on Iranian targets in the past four weeks, while Trump has warned that Iran’s power plants, oil fields, and Kharg Island could be destroyed if it fails to meet US conditions and reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

Bangladesh Islami Mohila Majlis has strongly condemned the recent life imprisonment verdict by a Delhi court against Kashmiri pro-independence leader Syeda Asiya Andrabi, head of the women’s rights group Dukhtaran-e-Millat, and her two associates. In a joint statement issued on Tuesday, the organization’s president Nasrin Kader and general secretary Raihana Lopa demanded their immediate and unconditional release, describing the verdict as unjust and oppressive.

The statement accused the Indian government of long-standing oppression in Kashmir, alleging that the region’s people, including women and children, have faced continuous persecution. It noted that Andrabi, a prominent voice against violence toward Kashmiri women, has been imprisoned in Delhi’s Tihar Jail since 2008 and has now been sentenced to life imprisonment again. Her husband, Dr. Muhammad Qasim, has reportedly been detained for 29 years.

The Mohila Majlis leaders urged global freedom and women’s organizations to raise their voices against what they described as India’s injustice and to pressure the Indian government to end repression in Kashmir.

The government of Bangladesh has decided to purchase 260,000 metric tons of fuel oil to strengthen the country’s energy security. The decision was approved on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, during a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Government Purchase.

According to meeting sources, the Energy and Mineral Resources Division proposed the purchase in response to the unstable geopolitical situation following the Iran–United States–Israel conflict. The committee approved the direct international purchase of 100,000 metric tons of crude oil from Abir Trade and Global Markets, 100,000 metric tons of EN590-10 PPM sulfur standard diesel from Exxon Mobil Kazakhstan Inc. (EMKI), and 60,000 metric tons of gas oil (0.5% sulfur diesel) from Indonesia’s PT Bumi Siak Pusako Japin (BSP Japin) under a government-to-government arrangement.

The approved purchases aim to meet emergency fuel demand and maintain stability in the domestic energy supply amid global market volatility.

Dhaka University has confirmed that the Bangla New Year 1433 celebrations will again be held under the name 'Ananda Shobhajatra', maintaining the change introduced last year from the traditional 'Mangal Shobhajatra'. The decision was reaffirmed at a preparatory meeting held on March 31, 2026, at the Nabab Nawab Ali Chowdhury Senate Building, chaired by Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. A. B. M. Obaidul Islam. The procession will begin at 9 a.m. from the Faculty of Fine Arts and follow its usual route through Raju Sculpture, Doel Chattar, and Bangla Academy before returning to the faculty.

The theme for this year’s celebration is 'Harmony of the New Year, Revival of Democracy'. To ensure safety and order, the university has issued several guidelines, including bans on wearing masks and carrying bags on campus, restrictions on vuvuzela use, and a requirement to conclude all events by 5 p.m. Vehicle access will be limited, with motorcycles completely prohibited.

A central coordination committee has been formed to oversee the arrangements, and the police have been requested to install CCTV cameras and archways for security. Cultural Affairs Minister Nitai Roy Chowdhury described the debate over the procession’s name as unnecessary, noting that the government has no objection to the current title.

The prosecution has filed formal charges against Abul Hasanat Abdullah, a former Member of Parliament and cousin of Sheikh Hasina, along with three others, in connection with the killing of two men in a staged crossfire in Agailjhara, Barishal, on February 2, 2015. The charges were submitted to International Crimes Tribunal-2 on Tuesday, accusing the defendants of crimes against humanity.

According to the formal complaint, the victims, Tipu Hawlader and Kabir Molla, were political rivals of Abul Hasanat Abdullah. The prosecution alleged that Abdullah, unable to defeat them politically, abused state power to eliminate them. He allegedly instructed the then Barishal Superintendent of Police, AKM Ehsan Ullah, to fabricate a case against the two men, leading to their extrajudicial killing by ASI Mahbul Islam and ASI Jasim Uddin near the Agailjhara bypass road.

The tribunal has scheduled the next hearing for April 15. Both ASI Mahbul Islam and ASI Jasim Uddin are currently in custody.

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth acknowledged that Iran still possesses the ability to launch missile strikes despite a month of joint US-Israeli attacks. Speaking at a Pentagon briefing on Tuesday, he said the decision on when the war will end ultimately rests with President Trump. Hegseth stated that Iran retains retaliatory capacity but claimed its military strength has been significantly weakened.

This was the first official Pentagon briefing on the war situation in about two weeks, following the last one on March 19. Hegseth also revealed that he made an unannounced visit to US troops stationed in the Middle East, where he observed their morale and urgency to conclude operations quickly. He asserted that the United States is now closer to victory than ever before.

The ongoing conflict has already placed heavy pressure on the global economy, with energy markets becoming unstable and fuel prices rising in the United States. Analysts believe Iran’s limited yet effective missile capability and strategic position are prolonging the war, making a swift resolution uncertain without diplomatic efforts from the White House.

Liberation War Affairs Minister Ahmed Azam Khan announced that individuals falsely listed as freedom fighters during the previous fascist government’s 17-year rule will be removed from the official register. Speaking in parliament on Tuesday, he said that hundreds of thousands of non-freedom fighters were added to the list and received allowances and benefits illegally. The ministry aims to restore recognition to genuine freedom fighters who were deprived of their rights.

In response to questions from lawmakers, the minister said the government is committed to ensuring that only true freedom fighters remain on the list. He noted that many legitimate fighters were harassed and stripped of their certificates during the fascist period, while non-freedom fighters gained benefits. The ministry has begun reviewing documents and will take corrective measures after verification.

The minister added that the process of identifying and removing false entries is underway and results will be presented soon. The initiative seeks to honor genuine freedom fighters and correct past injustices.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that the joint United States–Israel war with Iran is “more than halfway” toward achieving its objectives, clarifying that his remark referred to progress toward goals rather than time elapsed. He said thousands of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards have been killed and that both nations are close to destroying Iran’s weapons stockpiles and nuclear infrastructure.

The Israel Defense Forces reported launching new strikes on Tehran hours after Iran fired missiles toward Israel. Attacks have spread across the Gulf region, including Dubai, where authorities confirmed a drone strike set a tanker ablaze but caused no reported environmental damage. Meanwhile, an Iranian parliamentary committee approved a plan to impose tolls on vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz, potentially restricting U.S., Israeli, and allied ships.

According to the Wall Street Journal, former U.S. President Donald Trump told aides he was willing to end military operations against Iran despite the strait’s closure. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio responded that the Strait of Hormuz would be reopened “one way or another.”

Rajshahi University (RU) has initiated a plan to launch free and high-speed internet service across its campus within the next two months. The announcement was made by newly appointed Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Md. Faridul Islam after visiting the university’s ICT Center on Tuesday afternoon. He stated that the University Grants Commission (UGC) has directed universities nationwide to introduce such services within two months, but RU aims to complete the project earlier, ensuring connectivity in academic buildings and key areas.

The Vice-Chancellor added that since assuming office, he has been visiting various service departments to ensure that students, teachers, and staff receive expected services. He acknowledged student dissatisfaction with internet quality in residential halls and said discussions with the ICT Center administration are underway to resolve the issue quickly.

During the visit, the Vice-Chancellor was accompanied by the Pro-Vice-Chancellors for Administration and Education, as well as the ICT Center Director and other officials. He also inspected earthquake-prone residential halls and the university’s medical center to review safety and healthcare services.