United News of Bangladesh

Russia is reportedly transferring upgraded drones to Iran, including advanced versions of the Iranian drone technology Moscow previously acquired for use in Ukraine, U.S. and European officials told The Associated Press. The move comes as Iran has been conducting drone attacks on Israel, Gulf countries, and U.S. bases across the Middle East following recent U.S.-Israeli strikes. While Tehran maintains its own Shahed drones, Russian enhancements reportedly include improved navigation, AI piloting, jet engines, cameras, anti-jamming systems, and satellite-linked communication capabilities. European officials said discussions between Russian and Iranian authorities have been “very active” this month regarding drone transfers, though the exact number of drones and method of delivery remain unclear. Some shipments may be disguised as humanitarian aid via trucks or rail through Azerbaijan, according to intelligence reports. Moscow and Tehran are also sharing targeting and intelligence data. Russian specialists have adapted the Shahed drones, creating decoys and advanced variants intended to overwhelm air defenses, while Iran provides information in return, including on military developments. A U.S. defense official noted that any delivery of advanced drones to Iran could complicate U.S. and allied efforts to intercept attacks in the region, particularly if the drones are jet-propelled or equipped with AI and Starlink-linked guidance systems. Russia and Iran signed a $1.7 billion deal for Shahed drones after Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Production and refinement of the drones in Russia has continued, creating capabilities that could influence ongoing conflicts in the Middle East, officials said.

A Middle East expert has warned that any attack by Yemen’s Houthi group on the Red Sea could significantly worsen the already tense regional situation. Farea Al-Muslimi, a research fellow at Chatham House, said the Houthis’ involvement in the ongoing conflict is of “huge significance” as they are positioned along the strategically vital Red Sea trade route. Speaking to BBC Radio 4, he said the Houthis have not yet indicated plans to target Red Sea shipping, adding that the group may be trying to avoid provoking further US military action. In 2025, Donald Trump launched a bombing campaign alongside the United Kingdom to deter Houthi attacks in the region. Al-Muslimi warned that any renewed blockade of the Red Sea, combined with existing threats around the Strait of Hormuz, could severely disrupt global trade. “It’s a nightmare. We already have a nightmare, and this would make it worse,” he said.   With inputs from BBC

Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi movement launched ballistic missiles at Israel on Friday, marking their first direct attack since the outbreak of the US-Israel-Iran war. The Houthis said the missiles targeted sensitive Israeli military sites, signaling their entry into the widening conflict. Israel confirmed it intercepted at least one missile from Yemen. The Houthi intervention raises concerns about an expanded war and a potential new front near the Red Sea, a crucial international shipping route. Analysts warned that if the Houthis resume attacks on Red Sea shipping, it could severely disrupt global trade, similar to past assaults in 2023-2025 that damaged commercial vessels and forced rerouting around Africa. Meanwhile, at least 12 US soldiers were injured in an Iranian strike on Saudi Arabia’s Prince Sultan Airbase, and several Gulf nations reported new missile and drone attacks overnight. Tehran also faced missile strikes after Israel hit Iranian nuclear sites, while Israel continued targeting southern Lebanon amid clashes with Hezbollah. Pakistan is actively seeking to mediate regional tensions. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held a detailed phone call with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and announced plans to host foreign ministers from Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Egypt for talks on de-escalation. The conflict has had a severe human and civilian impact. In Iran, 1,464 civilians, including 217 children, have been killed since the war began on Feb 28, while an ongoing internet blackout has left Iranians largely cut off from information. In Lebanon, over a million people have been displaced due to Israeli airstrikes, leaving many to seek shelter in open areas under harsh conditions. The US has deployed the USS George HW Bush aircraft carrier and multiple missile destroyers to the Middle East, signaling a heightened military posture as the war enters its second month. The Houthis, formally known as Ansar Allah, have controlled large parts of northwestern Yemen since 2014 and are part of Iran’s “axis of resistance,” aligned with groups like Hezbollah and Hamas. Their involvement is seen as a strategic move to support Iran while potentially expanding the conflict to new fronts in the Arabian Peninsula.   With inputs from BBC

Pakistan will host the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, and Egypt from March 29–30 for “in-depth discussions” aimed at easing regional tensions amid the ongoing US-Israel war on Iran. In a statement on Saturday, the Foreign Office (FO) said that at the invitation of Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Saudi FM Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, Turkish FM Hakan Fidan, and Egyptian FM Dr. Badr Abdelatty will hold consultations with Pakistan’s leadership, including Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, reports The DAWN. The FO highlighted that the visit offers an opportunity to strengthen cooperation across multiple areas of mutual interest. The talks, initially scheduled in Türkiye, were shifted to Islamabad due to Pakistan’s growing role in the US-Iran dialogue process and the possibility of hosting direct negotiations between the two countries. PM Shehbaz recently offered Islamabad as a potential venue for such talks, pending agreement by Washington and Tehran. The four-country diplomatic mechanism was formed on March 19 during a Riyadh meeting of 10 Arab and Muslim states. Since then, Pakistan has emerged as a central mediator, relaying messages between the US and Iran. Dar has also consulted with the UN Secretary-General António Guterres, China’s FM Wang Yi, and Kuwait’s Crown Prince, all endorsing Pakistan’s mediation efforts. According to Dar, a 15-point US framework has been shared and is under Iranian consideration, with Türkiye and Egypt actively supporting the diplomatic initiative.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Friday that the ongoing U.S. operation against Iran is expected to conclude within weeks, not months, as Washington seeks to achieve its objectives without deploying ground troops. Speaking to reporters after attending a G7 foreign ministers’ meeting in France, Rubio said the operation aims to neutralize Iran’s missile and drone capabilities and would end “at the appropriate time, in a matter of weeks.” He noted that U.S. officials could meet their goals through targeted actions without prolonged military engagement. A reporter from Axios on social media reported that Rubio told his G7 counterparts the conflict could continue for “another two to four weeks.” Rubio also said the United States is open to redirecting weapons from Ukraine to the Middle East, though no such transfers have been made. On the Russia-Ukraine conflict, he confirmed that no new meetings are scheduled and refuted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s claim that U.S. security guarantees depend on territorial concessions in Donbass, calling it “a lie.” The G7 meeting, held Thursday and Friday in France, focused on global security issues, including the Iran crisis and the ongoing war in Ukraine. Rubio’s remarks signal U.S. confidence in a short-term resolution while highlighting the broader geopolitical impact of the Iran conflict.

Yemen’s Houthi rebels claimed responsibility Saturday for a missile attack on Israel, marking their first involvement since the US-Israel conflict with Iran began. Brigadier-General Yahya Saree, the Houthi military spokesperson, announced the strike in a statement broadcast by the rebels’ Al-Masirah satellite channel. Saree said the attacks “will continue until the declared objectives are achieved” and until what he called “aggression against all fronts of the resistance ceases.” The Israeli military confirmed it intercepted the missile. The strike targeted “sensitive Israeli military sites” in southern Israel and came hours after Saree hinted in a statement that the Houthis were joining the ongoing war, reports Al Jazeera. Sirens sounded around Beer Sheba and near Israel’s main nuclear research center for the third consecutive night as Iran and Hezbollah continued attacks on Israel. Israel intercepts missile from Yemen amid fears of Houthi involvement The Houthis have controlled Yemen’s capital, Sanaa, since 2014 but have largely stayed out of the wider US-Israel conflict. During the Israel-Hamas war, the militia launched repeated assaults on commercial shipping in the Red Sea, striking over 100 vessels, sinking two, and killing four sailors between November 2023 and January 2025. In 2024, the Trump administration conducted strikes against Houthi targets, ending the campaign after several weeks. The missile attack underscores the growing regional reach of the conflict, which has already rattled global markets and intensified tensions across the Middle East.

Israel on Saturday intercepted a missile fired from Yemen, marking the first such attack from the country since the latest Middle East conflict began last month, raising concerns about the possible entry of Iran-backed Houthi rebels into the war. The Houthis had earlier targeted vessels during the Israel-Hamas conflict, disrupting shipping routes in the Red Sea. The development came despite signs of a possible breakthrough, as Tehran had agreed to allow humanitarian aid and agricultural shipments through the Strait of Hormuz. Tensions escalated further after Israel struck Iran’s nuclear facilities hours after warning it would intensify its campaign against Tehran. In response, Iran launched an retaliatory attack on a Saudi air base, which U.S. officials said injured multiple American service members. According to a source familiar with the matter, Iran fired six ballistic missiles and 29 drones at Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia on Friday. At least 15 U.S. troops were wounded in the attack, including five seriously, though earlier reports had put the number at 10, with two critically injured. Meanwhile, Oman reported a drone strike on Salalah port on Saturday morning that injured a foreign worker and damaged a crane. In Bahrain, sirens were sounded ahead of a potential attack, with authorities urging residents to move to the nearest safe locations.

A pro-Iranian hacking group claimed Friday to have compromised a personal account belonging to FBI Director Kash Patel, posting online old photographs, a work resume, and other personal documents. Many of the files appear to be over a decade old. The group, Handala, posted a statement saying, “Kash Patel, the current head of the FBI… will now find his name among the list of successfully hacked victims.” The released materials included images of Patel with an antique sports car, another with a cigar, and emails detailing personal travel and business from more than ten years ago. The FBI did not immediately comment, but a source familiar with the matter, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed that Patel’s personal email account had been breached. It remains unclear when the hack occurred, though reports from December 2024 indicated Patel had been previously warned about targeting by Iranian hackers. Handala, which is pro-Iranian and pro-Palestinian, recently claimed responsibility for disrupting systems at Stryker, a Michigan-based medical technology company. The group said its attacks were retaliation for suspected U.S. strikes that killed Iranian schoolchildren. Handala exemplifies proxy groups that carry out cyberattacks on Iran’s behalf. Last week, the Justice Department announced it had seized four web domains linked to Iranian hacking schemes and threats against dissidents, citing Handala among the perpetrators. The incident underscores the growing threat posed by state-linked hacking groups targeting U.S. officials and institutions.

Deep divisions surfaced among G7 foreign ministers Friday as U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with allies to promote the U.S. strategy in the ongoing Iran war, following repeated criticism from President Donald Trump. Trump has accused NATO and other allies of ignoring U.S. requests to help counter Tehran’s retaliatory measures, including the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, disrupting global oil shipments. Four weeks into the conflict launched by the U.S. and Israel, allies remain skeptical about America’s offensive actions, while voicing support for defensive measures. French Minister of the Armed Forces Catherine Vautrin emphasized that France’s role is strictly defensive, urging a diplomatic solution. British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper also stressed the importance of diplomacy, acknowledging differences with the U.S. approach. German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul signaled willingness to support post-hostility security in the Strait of Hormuz and sought a common basis with allies. Trump’s repeated criticisms, including claims that NATO failed to protect the U.S., have made Rubio’s task of rallying support more challenging. Rubio noted that European allies are still sensitive over previous U.S. actions, such as Trump’s demands regarding Greenland and ongoing support for Ukraine. Russia’s war in Ukraine also featured prominently at the G7, with ministers stressing that commitments to Ukraine’s defense should not be undermined by the Middle East crisis. Despite tensions, Rubio emphasized that his priority is the American public, asserting that global allies should recognize U.S. leadership in confronting threats. France, hosting the G7 near Versailles, has expressed skepticism about the war, with its defense chief Gen. Fabien Mandon criticizing the U.S. for acting unilaterally in the Middle East. Meanwhile, military talks on reopening the Strait of Hormuz, involving 35 countries, continue under French coordination. Rubio stressed that nations concerned with international law must take action to address Iran’s blockade, underscoring the U.S. focus on both regional security and global stability. The G7 meeting highlighted lingering fractures among allies and underscored the difficulty of securing unified support for the U.S. strategy in the Iran conflict.

Hamas is considering a new proposal to disarm its fighters in Gaza, a significant concession that could pave the way for U.S. President Donald Trump’s plan to rebuild the war-torn territory. The group’s response, expected in the coming days or weeks, will have major implications for Gaza’s 2 million residents, who have been living under a fragile ceasefire for nearly six months. Hamas’ founding charter mandates armed resistance against Israel, and the group remains reluctant to relinquish its arsenal of rockets, anti-tank missiles, and explosives, central to its identity. While mediator-backed discussions are underway, Hamas officials have expressed dissatisfaction with aspects of the U.S.-proposed plan. The ongoing U.S.-Israel military campaign against Iran has further complicated progress. Key elements of the Trump-backed 20-point ceasefire plan — including Gaza’s reconstruction, deployment of a U.N.-mandated international peacekeeping force, formation of foreign-trained Palestinian police, and establishment of a technocratic committee to manage Gaza — remain on hold until disarmament is agreed upon. Nickolay Mladenov, director of the U.S.-backed Board of Peace, said a mediator proposal supported by Turkey, Qatar, and Egypt would begin with the decommissioning of Gaza’s most dangerous weapons, including rockets and explosives, gradually moving to personal arms. This staged disarmament would coincide with Israeli troop withdrawals. Despite Hamas accepting the proposal “in principle,” officials have voiced concerns over insufficient guarantees that Israel will halt attacks and not reignite conflict. Senior Hamas official Bassem Naim criticized Mladenov for appearing overly aligned with Israel. Delays in negotiations could extend Gaza’s humanitarian crisis. Israel’s two-year offensive, launched after Hamas’ October 7, 2023, attack on southern Israel, displaced around 90% of Gaza’s population and destroyed vast swaths of the territory. Without disarmament and swift reconstruction, the risk of renewed violence and prolonged suffering for civilians remains high. Mike Waltz, U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, emphasized, “The future of Gaza … is entirely dependent now on Hamas decommissioning its weapons. We truly stand at an inflection point.” The coming weeks are expected to be crucial in determining whether Gaza can transition from a devastated war zone to a rebuilt, stable territory.