United News of Bangladesh

Wang Yi has called for the swift initiation of peace talks during a phone conversation with his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi, as tensions continue to escalate in the Middle East. According to China’s Foreign Ministry, Wang stressed that dialogue remains the best path forward, saying disputes should be resolved through negotiation rather than force. He urged all sides to seize opportunities to begin talks as soon as possible. Araghchi, who requested the call, said Iran is seeking a comprehensive resolution to the conflict rather than a temporary ceasefire. He also expressed appreciation for China’s humanitarian assistance. While China remains a key partner of Iran, it has distanced itself from Tehran’s recent strikes on Gulf states hosting US bases and has called for restraint and a ceasefire. Separately, Iran held discussions with Malaysia over the impact of the ongoing conflict involving the United States and Israel. In a statement, Iran said its foreign minister reaffirmed the country’s right to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity, while stressing the importance of preventing regional territories from being used as launch points for attacks. The talks also covered rising tensions around the strategic Strait of Hormuz and broader diplomatic efforts to address the crisis. Malaysia’s foreign minister reiterated Kuala Lumpur’s opposition to what it described as US-Israeli aggression, calling for de-escalation and regional stability. He also conveyed condolences to Iran over civilian casualties resulting from the attacks. #From Al Jazeera

Israeli attacks in and around Nabatieh have left several people dead, including two paramedics, according to Lebanon’s National News Agency. The agency reported that a drone strike targeted a motorcycle convoy at the northern entrance of the city, killing two ambulance workers from the local Nabatieh ambulance team. In a statement cited by the agency, the Nabatieh Ambulance Association said the two paramedics were killed while performing humanitarian duties, describing them as committed members who lost their lives serving their community. The same site was reportedly struck again less than two hours later, though no further casualties were immediately confirmed. In a separate incident, another drone strike near the Nafaa building on the Jbeil-Nabatieh highway killed one person and injured another. Meanwhile, a strike near the Al-Fayrouz Restaurant on the Haboush-Nabatieh road killed a Syrian national. Israeli warplanes also carried out air raids on the village of Nabatieh al-Fawqa, the agency added.  #From Al Jazeera

India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump have discussed the escalating situation in the Middle East, with a focus on the strategic Strait of Hormuz. In separate posts on X, Modi and US envoy to India Sergio Gor said the two leaders spoke over the phone on Tuesday. The conversation marked their first known contact since the United States and Israel carried out coordinated strikes on Iran on February 28. Modi reiterated India’s position in favour of de-escalation and an early restoration of peace, stressing that keeping the Strait of Hormuz open, secure and accessible is crucial for global stability. The vital maritime route handles a significant share of global energy shipments and supplies roughly 40 percent of India’s crude oil imports. Addressing Parliament on Monday, Modi said the ongoing conflict has already impacted sectors such as aviation, shipping and gas supply. However, he assured that India has adequate reserves of petroleum, fertilisers and coal to manage any potential disruptions.   #From Al Jazeera

Israel’s use of Iran’s street cameras in the killing of the country’s supreme leader highlights growing vulnerabilities in global surveillance systems, experts say. Hundreds of millions of cameras, often connected to the internet and poorly secured, have become potential tools in wartime. Israeli forces reportedly exploited Tehran’s own cameras on Feb. 28 to track and target Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, according to sources familiar with the operation and a review of public and leaked data. Cybersecurity analysts say authoritarian regimes face a paradox: the systems installed to monitor citizens and suppress dissent can expose leaders to external attacks. Conor Healy of IPVM said, “The infrastructure authoritarian states build to make their rule unassailable may be what makes their leaders most visible to the people trying to kill them.” Security researchers warn that most cameras are easily hacked due to outdated software, weak passwords, and insider threats. AI has amplified the risk by allowing militaries to automatically analyze vast amounts of footage, identifying people, vehicles, and patterns in real time. Israel’s use of the hacked footage extended beyond Khamenei. Intelligence reports indicate Tehran’s cameras had previously been exploited to track meetings of top security officials, including the Supreme National Security Council, allowing targeted strikes against leadership figures. Analysts say the weaponization of surveillance cameras marks a shift in modern warfare, as governments increasingly realize that publicly installed infrastructure can be exploited. Ali Vaez of the International Crisis Group called the trend “a wake-up call” for states relying heavily on camera networks for control and security. Gulf nations have taken steps to limit public access to footage from Iranian strikes, while Israel and others maintain heightened cybersecurity measures. Experts caution, however, that patching vulnerabilities is a continual challenge, describing the effort as a perpetual “whack-a-mole” game. Ali Vaez said the rise in camera-targeting since the war began underscores the growing stakes for both authoritarian regimes and their adversaries in cyberspace.

Rights groups have raised alarm over a possible wave of executions in Iran after authorities carried out the hanging of three young men this week, including a teenage wrestler, amid an ongoing crackdown on dissent. The three — Saleh Mohammadi, 19, along with Mehdi Qasemi and Saeed Davoudi — were executed in the city of Qom after being convicted of “moharabeh,” or waging war against God, over the alleged killing of two police officers during recent protests, according to state media. Activists say the executions are the first among thousands detained during a nationwide protest crackdown in January, warning that many more could follow. Oslo-based group Iran Human Rights said at least 27 protesters have already been sentenced to death, while over 100 others face charges that could carry capital punishment. Amnesty International criticised the trials, saying convictions were based on forced confessions obtained under torture and described the proceedings as “grossly unfair.” Rights advocates say the executions are aimed at deterring further unrest as Iran faces mounting pressure from the ongoing war with the United States and Israel. “The executions are intended to instill fear in society and prevent new protests,” said Mahmood Amiry-Moghaddam of Iran Human Rights, warning that more executions of protesters and political detainees could be imminent. The protests, which began in late December and peaked in early January, triggered one of the deadliest crackdowns since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Estimates of the death toll vary, with rights groups reporting thousands killed and tens of thousands arrested, though official figures are significantly lower. Despite the ongoing conflict in the region, authorities have continued to detain individuals accused of dissent, with limited information emerging due to internet restrictions. Human rights groups allege widespread use of enforced disappearances, incommunicado detention and coercion to extract confessions from detainees. The latest executions have intensified concerns that Iran’s leadership, under pressure both internally and externally, may escalate punitive measures to maintain control.

Iran’s leadership structure has come under intense strain following the killing of several top figures, including Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and senior official Ali Larijani, raising questions over who now holds real authority in the country. Following Khamenei’s death, his son Mojtaba Khamenei was swiftly named as the new supreme leader, placing him formally at the apex of Iran’s political and military system. However, his absence from public view and limited political experience have cast doubt on how firmly he controls the state. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Iran’s leadership appeared to be in disarray, questioning who is effectively in charge as the conflict continues. Analysts suggest that real power may now lie with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, which has long been one of the most powerful institutions in the country. Experts say the force, originally established after the 1979 Islamic Revolution, could be playing a dominant role amid the leadership vacuum. “The Revolutionary Guard is the state now,” said Ali Vaez of the International Crisis Group, noting that civilian leadership structures have been weakened by the loss of key figures. Iran’s governance system, however, is designed with multiple layers of authority. Analysts say this could allow continuity even after the elimination of senior leaders, with lower-ranking officials stepping in to maintain operations. Earlier, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi indicated that some military units were acting with a degree of autonomy, following pre-set directives amid the ongoing conflict. Experts caution that while the loss of senior leadership could reshape Iran’s political system, any transformation is likely to unfold gradually rather than lead to immediate collapse.

Iran has threatened to attack electrical plants in the Middle East that supply power to US military bases, as tensions escalate over the Strait of Hormuz. The warning came Monday in a statement by Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, which was broadcast on state television. The statement said Iran would retaliate if its own power infrastructure comes under attack, vowing to target “power plants of the occupying regime” — referring to Israel — as well as facilities in regional countries that provide electricity to US bases. It also warned of potential strikes on economic, industrial and energy infrastructure linked to American interests. “Do not doubt that we will do this,” the statement added. The threat comes as US President Donald Trump has set a deadline over the Strait of Hormuz, warning that Washington would strike Iranian power plants within 48 hours if the vital waterway remains effectively closed due to Iranian attacks on shipping. The Strait of Hormuz is a key global oil transit route, and any disruption there could have major implications for international energy markets and regional security.

Qatar is focusing on strengthening its security and preparing for possible further attacks following Iranian air strikes on its Ras Laffan liquefied natural gas (LNG) facility, a government official said. “We are currently focused on defending our country and dealing with the aftermath of the LNG attacks. Mediation efforts are not on our agenda at the moment,” a Qatari diplomat told Al Jazeera on condition of anonymity. Earlier, on March 2, Qatar halted LNG production after another Iranian strike hit the Ras Laffan facility and a water tank at a power plant in Mesaieed Industrial City. Located about 80 kilometres northeast of Doha, the Ras Laffan complex is the world’s largest LNG production hub, accounting for roughly 20 percent of global supply and playing a crucial role in meeting energy demand in both Asia and Europe. #from Al Jazeera

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has called on world leaders to join the ongoing US-Israel war on Iran. Speaking from the site of an attack in the southern Israeli city of Arad, Netanyahu said some countries were already moving in that direction and urged broader international involvement, reports Al Jazeera. He accused Iran of targeting civilians and claimed Tehran has the capability to carry out long-range strikes reaching deep into Europe.

More than 81,000 civilian units have been damaged in joint US-Israel strikes across Iran, the Iranian Red Crescent Society said. The organisation also alleged that medical centres, schools, ambulances and aid workers were targeted in the attacks, reports Al Jazeera. It described the damage and targeting of civilian infrastructure as a “clear” violation of international humanitarian law and the Geneva Conventions, which set rules governing conduct during war.