Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) president Md Rakibul Islam Rakib announced that the organization will work to realize its July-August aspirations and demands under the leadership of the newly formed government. He made the remarks on Saturday, February 28, during an iftar and prayer gathering organized by the Kabi Nazrul Government College unit of JCD.

Rakib stated that the pledge taken during the July movement and the mass uprising remains alive among them, emphasizing that they will not retreat from that commitment. He called for unity across all groups to fulfill the aspirations of the mass uprising and to contribute to building a new Bangladesh.

The event was attended by Kabi Nazrul Government College Principal Professor Mohammad Habibur Rahman, Teachers’ Council Secretary Abdullah Al-Mahmud, Dhaka South BNP Joint Convener (Office Secretary) Saidur Rahman Mintu, and several former and current leaders of the college unit.

An Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson accused the United States of betraying diplomacy after Washington launched another attack against Iran while the two countries were engaged in negotiations. The spokesperson said this was the second time in less than a year that the U.S. had acted against Iran during diplomatic talks.

The statement reflects Tehran’s frustration with what it views as contradictory U.S. behavior—pursuing dialogue while simultaneously taking hostile actions. The spokesperson’s remarks underscore ongoing tensions between the two nations and highlight the fragile state of their diplomatic engagement.

The accusation suggests that Iran sees the latest U.S. move as undermining trust in the negotiation process, though no further details about the attack or the talks were provided in the statement.

Israeli air strikes targeted Blat and Wadi Barghouti in southern Lebanon’s Iqlim al-Tuffah region, marking another breach of the November 2024 ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, according to Al Jazeera. The Israeli military said it was attacking Hezbollah infrastructure, while local reports indicated that most raids struck open areas in forests and hills, with no casualties reported so far. Hezbollah’s Al-Manar TV said Israeli drones dropped explosives in Markaba for the third time, and Al-Mayadeen confirmed multiple raids on the al-Tuffah heights.

The strikes follow a deadly attack on Lebanon’s Bekaa Valley that killed one person and wounded 29 others, including a 16-year-old Syrian boy, according to Lebanon’s Ministry of Health. The United Nations reports that more than 300 people, including 127 civilians, have been killed since the ceasefire began. Israel’s war on Lebanon, which started in October 2023, has left over 4,000 dead and 17,000 injured.

Lebanon’s government says it is close to completing its ceasefire pledge to disarm Hezbollah south of the Litani River, but Hezbollah rejects full disarmament while Israeli attacks and occupation continue.

The Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment announced that it will arrange overnight accommodation for passengers affected by the cancellation of flights to the Middle East. The cancellations occurred due to a state of war in the region, causing unexpected difficulties for travelers. The announcement was made through an official information release on Saturday night.

According to the ministry, passengers whose flights have been canceled are requested to contact the Expatriate Welfare Desk or lounge for assistance with lodging arrangements. The initiative aims to ease the inconvenience faced by travelers stranded in Bangladesh as a result of the disrupted flight schedules.

The ministry’s statement reflects the government’s effort to provide immediate support to affected passengers while the situation in the Middle East remains unstable.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has decided to close the Strait of Hormuz, according to the Tasnim News Agency, which is affiliated with the IRGC. The report stated that the move was made due to the strait’s strategic importance. The Strait of Hormuz, located between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman in southern Iran, serves as a vital maritime route for global shipping.

Tasnim reported that the IRGC has sent messages to vessels, informing them that no ships will be permitted to pass through the strait until further notice. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) confirmed receiving multiple reports about this warning. The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most critical trade routes, carrying roughly one-fifth of global oil and gas supplies.

The closure could have significant implications for international energy transport and maritime trade, given the strait’s central role in global oil and gas distribution.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has claimed that at least 200 US soldiers were killed in its latest counterattack amid the ongoing direct conflict between Iran and the United States. According to Tasnim News, the strikes targeted American military bases in the Middle East and allegedly caused severe damage to a US Central Command (CENTCOM) warship. Tehran described the operation, named “Truthful Promise 4,” as a major success.

In response, a CENTCOM spokesperson told Al Jazeera that the Iranian claims were entirely false, rejecting reports of casualties or damage to any US vessel. CENTCOM stated that its defense systems intercepted most of the Iranian attacks and that there were no significant losses among US forces so far.

The conflicting statements highlight an escalating information war between Tehran and Washington, with both sides seeking to control the narrative of the confrontation.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer and Leader of the Opposition Dr. Shafiqur Rahman said his party does not want to act as a conventional opposition in parliament but aims to make it a meaningful center for fulfilling public aspirations. He made the remarks on Saturday at an iftar event organized by Jamaat-e-Islami at the China Friendship Conference Center in Dhaka, attended by Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman and other political leaders.

Dr. Rahman described the day as significant for two reasons: the anniversary of a past mass uprising and remembrance of Allama Delwar Hossain Sayeedi, who was sentenced to death in 2013. He recalled the protests and casualties that followed and expressed gratitude to former opposition leader Khaleda Zia for condemning the killings. He emphasized that both government and opposition must act responsibly to advance the nation.

He added that parliament should not be a place for personal attacks but a forum for solving national problems. Rahman called for cooperation between government and opposition to reform outdated laws and build a respected, developed nation.

The Iranian Red Crescent spokesperson Mojtaba Khaledi stated that at least 20 of Iran’s 32 provinces have been targeted in recent attacks. Citizens have been urged to stay away from the affected areas. The strikes began on Saturday morning, reportedly carried out by the United States and Israel across multiple locations in Iran. In Hormozgan province alone, two separate attacks have killed at least 70 people, according to Al Jazeera.

The report indicates a widespread assault affecting a majority of Iran’s provinces, marking a significant escalation in hostilities involving the United States, Israel, and Iran. The Iranian Red Crescent’s emergency warning highlights the scale of the crisis and the potential humanitarian impact across the country.

Iran has also sent a letter to the United Nations urging action against the aggression, underscoring Tehran’s diplomatic response to the attacks and its appeal for international intervention.

More than 15 people were killed in a joint United States–Israel strike on a gymnasium in Lamerd city, Iran, according to Iran’s Fars News Agency. The attack occurred while children were playing and others were exercising inside the facility.

In a separate incident, the death toll from an Israeli strike on a girls’ school in Minab city, Hormozgan province, rose to 86, Al Jazeera reported. Iranian official Araghchi stated on social media that the destroyed building was a primary school bombed in daylight while full of students, calling the victims innocent children. He warned that the Iranian people would not remain silent in response. Education Ministry spokesperson Ali Farhadi confirmed that three missiles struck the school on Saturday, injuring many civilians.

The reports come amid escalating violence across Iran, with the Red Crescent noting attacks in at least 20 of the country’s 32 provinces.

Bangladesh embassies in Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Iraq have issued separate warnings for Bangladeshi nationals following escalating conflict in the Middle East. The alerts come after U.S. and Israeli attacks in Iran and Tehran’s retaliatory strikes on American installations, creating a warlike situation in the region. Each embassy has also opened hotline numbers for emergency contact.

The Bangladesh Embassy in Doha, Qatar, urged expatriates to remain cautious, avoid military areas, and stay indoors or in safe locations. It advised citizens to keep essential items such as cash, identification, health cards, medicines, chargers, and dry food ready. The embassy also reminded residents to respect Qatari laws, follow official instructions, and refrain from sharing related photos or videos on social media.

Similar advisories were issued by the Bangladeshi embassies in the UAE, Bahrain, and Iraq, instructing citizens to avoid open spaces and large gatherings. The embassies emphasized safety and compliance with local regulations until the situation stabilizes.

National Citizen Party (NCP) Convener Nahid Islam has called on party leaders and activists to begin preparations for the upcoming local government elections following the national polls. Speaking on Saturday evening in Dhaka’s Dhanmondi during an iftar event marking the party’s first founding anniversary, he expressed hope that the local elections would be held soon and urged members to get ready.

Nahid Islam stated that the NCP’s journey began from a mass uprising and that the party aims to strengthen its grassroots base. He noted that the NCP won six seats in the national election but remains determined to expand its success. Reflecting on the party’s first year, he said it had gained valuable experience and emerged as an alternative force to help shape the future of Bangladesh.

He further emphasized that the party’s politics focus on ending fascism and fully establishing democracy. Nahid reiterated the NCP’s commitment to justice for victims of past atrocities and to continuing the struggle for reform, implementation of the July Charter, and realization of the people’s mandate through referendum.

Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister and BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir stated that his ministry will not tolerate corruption and that the Anti-Corruption Commission is responsible for addressing such issues. He made the remarks on Saturday after a meeting with heads of government offices at the Thakurgaon Deputy Commissioner’s conference room.

The minister said a team from the ministry has already visited Thakurgaon to assess the establishment of a medical college, with student admissions expected to begin by 2027. He emphasized priorities including drug control, improvement of local government institutions, ongoing development projects, and enhanced citizen services. Discussions also covered the development of Thakurgaon Sadar Hospital, municipal infrastructure, and agricultural projects.

Mirza Fakhrul added that initiatives are underway to ensure food and security for citizens and to promote women’s development, noting that the family card process has already started in Thakurgaon. He urged focusing on building a prosperous and democratic nation rather than dwelling on corruption allegations.

Fires and scattered damage were reported across Israel as Iranian projectiles struck several areas, prompting residents to rush into bomb shelters. Interceptors were seen detonating over Tel Aviv and other cities as Israel attempted to block further incoming fire. The attacks marked a significant escalation in hostilities between the two nations.

According to Iran’s state-run IRIB news agency, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi sent a letter to the United Nations secretary-general and the president of the UN Security Council. In the letter, Iran asserted that recent air strikes by the United States and Israel constituted a violation of the UN Charter and an act of armed aggression. Iran stated that it was acting under Article 51 of the UN Charter, which allows for self-defence, and vowed to continue its defensive actions until the aggression ceases completely.

The letter further declared that all bases, facilities, and assets of hostile forces in the region would be considered legitimate military targets as part of Iran’s right to self-defence.

Iran launched retaliatory attacks on US assets in several Gulf Arab states following a joint US-Israel strike on Iranian territory early Saturday, according to Al Jazeera. The Iranian government confirmed that multiple targets were hit in Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates, all of which host American air bases.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) stated that all Israeli and US military targets in the Middle East were struck by powerful Iranian missiles. The report also noted that Iran had fired waves of missiles and drones toward Israel, intensifying tensions across the region.

The developments mark a sharp escalation in hostilities between Iran and its adversaries, with potential implications for regional security and the stability of US alliances in the Gulf.

An Israeli airstrike hit an elementary girls’ school in Minab, southern Iran’s Hormozgan province, killing 85 people and injuring 63 others, according to Iranian state media. The attack occurred on Saturday and is part of a broader wave of joint US-Israeli military operations across Iran. Iran’s Tasnim News Agency cited the local judiciary confirming the death toll, while workers continued clearing debris from the site.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi condemned the strike, calling it a crime against the Iranian people and vowing that it would not go unanswered. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei urged the United Nations Security Council to take action. Separately, Iran’s Mehr News Agency reported another Israeli strike east of Tehran that killed at least two students. Al Jazeera’s correspondent in Tehran said the attacks challenge US and Israeli claims that their targets are strictly military.

There has been no immediate response from the United States or Israel regarding Iran’s allegations. The report also recalled the June 2025 conflict, when similar attacks caused heavy civilian casualties and widespread infrastructure damage in Iran.