United News of Bangladesh

Israel has claimed it killed Iran’s Intelligence Minister Esmail Khatib in an overnight strike, further escalating tensions across the Middle East amid ongoing exchanges of attacks. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said Khatib was “eliminated” during the operation, but there has been no immediate confirmation from Iranian authorities. The claim came as Israel carried out a series of strikes in Lebanon, including in central Beirut, where at least 10 people were killed and 27 injured, according to Lebanese officials. One strike destroyed a building in a commercial area, signalling an expansion of targets beyond Hezbollah strongholds. Israel said the attacks targeted financial networks linked to Hezbollah, as well as command centres and weapons storage facilities in southern Lebanon. Meanwhile, Iran and its allied groups launched retaliatory strikes. In Israel, at least two people were killed in Tel Aviv following missile attacks. Air defence systems were also activated across several Gulf countries, including the UAE, Qatar and Saudi Arabia, where incoming drones and missiles were intercepted. Tensions have also risen around the Strait of Hormuz, a key global oil shipping route, with Iran effectively blocking traffic since the conflict began. The United States said it struck Iranian missile sites near the waterway using bunker-penetrating bombs. The conflict intensified following the killing of senior Iranian figures, including security chief Ali Larijani, prompting warnings of a “decisive” response from Iran’s military leadership. The humanitarian situation is deteriorating across the region. In Lebanon, around one million people have been displaced, with hundreds killed since the escalation. Concerns are also growing over the safety of thousands of seafarers stranded in the الخليج amid continued hostilities. The situation remains highly volatile, with ongoing strikes, counterattacks and rising fears of a broader regional conflict.   With inputs from BBC

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has dismissed online rumours about his death, appearing in a new video alongside US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee. The clip comes after days of speculation over Netanyahu’s absence and misleading posts suggesting he appeared with “six fingers” in earlier footage. In the video, Netanyahu told Huckabee, “Yes, Mike. Yes, I’m alive,” while joking about the ongoing Israeli strikes against Iranian leaders, including Ali Larijani. Huckabee, in a light-hearted exchange, said US President Donald Trump had sent him to check on Netanyahu’s wellbeing. Netanyahu praised the joint US-Israeli efforts against Iran, saying, “We are very proud to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with them and get rid of these lunatics who would like to develop nuclear weapons.” In recent days, conspiracy theories had spread widely online, fueled by social media claims about manipulated footage showing Netanyahu with “six fingers.” Earlier, Netanyahu had also released a video at a café, jokingly addressing the rumours while emphasizing his continued commitment. Source: NDTV

Days before his death in an Israeli airstrike, Ali Larijani, the late secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, warned that attacks on Iranian leaders would only strengthen the country. In an interview on March 6, Larijani, 67, emphasized the enduring power of martyrdom in Iran, saying, “Kill us and our nation will become more awake.” He referred to the recent killing of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and senior commanders, stating that such losses would only galvanize public support for the revolution. Larijani also directly cautioned US President Donald Trump, warning him to “watch out for yourself, lest you be eliminated,” just days before his last public appearance at a pro-Palestinian Quds Day rally in Tehran on March 13. A veteran politician and key architect of Iran’s security policies, Larijani played a central role in nuclear negotiations, regional diplomacy, and domestic security, serving as a close adviser to Khamenei and as Iran’s parliament speaker for 12 years. He combined hardline loyalty with pragmatism, at times advocating diplomacy alongside forceful measures to protect the Islamic Republic. After the US-Israeli strikes began on February 28, Larijani strongly condemned the attacks and called for national unity against external threats, underscoring Iran’s resolve to resist foreign pressure. Source: NDTV

In a major escalation in the Gulf, the United States military struck Iranian missile sites near the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday, using multiple 5,000-pound (2,268 kg) “bunker-buster” bombs to target hardened installations that threatened international shipping. The raid follows Iran’s closure of the strategic waterway, through which about one-fifth of the world’s oil flows, in retaliation for ongoing US and Israeli military actions. The strike aims to reopen the strait, which has caused severe disruption to global maritime traffic and pushed up energy prices. US Central Command said the missile sites posed a direct threat to commercial vessels, adding that the operations successfully neutralized the danger. The massive munitions, designed to penetrate hardened targets, are among the most powerful in the US arsenal, though smaller than the 30,000-pound bombs previously used on Iranian nuclear facilities. President Donald Trump criticized NATO and traditional allies for refusing to provide ships or minesweepers to help secure the strait, while insisting the US would continue the campaign independently. Iran, meanwhile, maintains that its nuclear program is peaceful and has no intention of developing nuclear weapons. Source: NDTV

Iran has executed a man accused of spying for Israel’s intelligence agency, Mossad, the semi-official Tasnim news agency reported. According to Tasnim, the man, described as an Israeli spy, provided Mossad with images and sensitive information about key locations in Iran. His death sentence, approved by the Supreme Court, was carried out following legal proceedings. The report said the man was recruited online while in Sweden, after sharing his personal information on a travel-related group link. Initial contact was reportedly made by a Persian-speaking Mossad officer. He was arrested in June in the Iranian city of Savjbolagh by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) during the 12-day conflict with Israel. Authorities said he possessed sophisticated espionage, intelligence, and satellite communication equipment.   #From Al Jazeera

Around 90 ships, including oil tankers, have crossed the Strait of Hormuz since the outbreak of war with Iran, with the country continuing to export millions of barrels of oil even as the strategic waterway faces partial closure, according to maritime and trade data. Many vessels were “dark” transits, evading Western sanctions and likely linked to Iran, Lloyd’s List Intelligence reported. More recently, ships from India and Pakistan have also passed through after diplomatic talks with Tehran. Oil prices surged above $100 per barrel, prompting U.S. President Donald Trump to urge allies to send warships and reopen the strait to ease market pressure. Most shipping traffic has halted since early March, and about 20 vessels have been attacked in the area. Despite this, Iran exported over 16 million barrels of oil since March 1, with China remaining the main buyer due to sanctions-related risks. Analysts said Iran has used its control over the strait to maintain exports and profit from oil sales. Lloyd’s List Intelligence reported that of the 89 vessels passing the strait between March 1–15, 16 were oil tankers and more than one-fifth were Iran-affiliated. Pakistan- and India-flagged ships also successfully crossed, following negotiations with Tehran. Experts say Iran has effectively created a “safe corridor” near its coast for selected ships, while selectively restricting others. Oil market analysts warn that Iran may continue limiting tanker movements to maintain high energy prices.

At least two people were killed after an Iranian missile strike hit multiple locations around Tel Aviv, according to Israeli police and emergency services. An emergency responder from Israel’s Magen David Adom (MDA) ambulance service told AFP that several sites were struck, with visible smoke rising from a damaged building and widespread destruction, including shattered glass. “We found two victims unconscious, without pulse or breathing, suffering from severe injuries,” the responder said. Medics later confirmed that a man and a woman died from serious shrapnel wounds in Ramat Gan, east of Tel Aviv. In nearby Bnei Brak, MDA teams treated another man who sustained minor shrapnel injuries to his hand before he was taken to hospital. Meanwhile, tensions spread across the Gulf region, with both Saudi Arabia and Kuwait reporting incoming aerial threats. Saudi Arabia’s defence ministry said it intercepted and destroyed six drones over the country’s eastern region. Kuwait’s military also confirmed its air defence systems were actively responding to what it described as “hostile missile and drone threats,” urging residents to follow safety instructions. It added that any explosions heard were due to interception efforts. #With inputs from BBC

Iran’s army chief Amir Hatami has warned of a “decisive” response following the killing of senior security official Ali Larijani in an Israeli airstrike. In a statement, Hatami said Iran would deliver a “deterrent and regretful” retaliation against what he described as “criminal America and the bloodthirsty Zionist regime,” adding that the deaths of Larijani and others would be avenged. Meanwhile, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), a separate military force, claimed it had already fired missiles at central Israel in retaliation for Larijani’s killing, according to AFP. #From BBC  

U.S. President Donald Trump has called on several countries heavily dependent on Middle Eastern oil to join a coalition to escort vessels through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital chokepoint carrying roughly 20 percent of the world’s oil. However, forming such a coalition has so far proven challenging. Strategic importance of the strait The Strait of Hormuz, a narrow waterway between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, is crucial for the world’s energy trade. At its narrowest, it measures only 39 kilometers, and it carries the bulk of oil exports from Gulf countries including Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Qatar, and the UAE. About 20 million barrels of oil pass through it daily, along with significant liquefied natural gas shipments. Since March, only 77 vessels have transited the strait, a nearly 90 percent decline from last year, as shipping companies avoid the region amid high security risks. Conflict escalation On February 28, Israel and the United States launched joint airstrikes on Tehran and other Iranian cities, killing Iran’s then-Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei along with senior military commanders and civilians. In response, Iran conducted missile and drone strikes on U.S. and Israeli bases in the region and tightly controlled access to the strait. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that the strait remains open for all international shipping except vessels belonging to the U.S., Israel, and their allies. The disruption has forced Gulf countries to cut millions of barrels of oil production, affecting global supply chains. The International Energy Agency said Gulf nations have reduced at least 10 million barrels a day, about 10 percent of global demand. Shipping costs have soared, and analysts warn that continued closure could severely disrupt global logistics, comparable to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Why the U.S. wants a coalition                          Trump has publicly urged seven countries dependent on Gulf oil to contribute naval forces for a vessel escort mission. While the U.S. military has claimed to neutralize Iran’s mine-laying capabilities and struck over 7,000 targets in Iran, the ongoing conflict continues to threaten shipping in the region. Why allies are hesitant Several countries, including Japan, Australia, Germany, and other European nations, have declined to send warships. European leaders emphasized the need for diplomacy and warned against escalating the conflict into a NATO mission or a broader regional war. Germany’s Chancellor Friedrich Merz stressed that NATO is a “defense alliance” rather than an “intervention alliance.” EU Foreign Policy Chief Kaja Kallas said Europe has no plans to expand its naval mission in the Red Sea to the Strait of Hormuz. Australia also ruled out sending naval forces, citing potential economic risks from the ongoing Middle East conflict. Japan stated that its Self-Defense Forces will not be deployed to escort ships in the region. Analysts note that even if a coalition is formed, escorting hundreds of tankers daily under the threat of mines and drones would be extremely challenging. U.S. Senator Chris Murphy of Connecticut said on social media, “It’s harder than you think. Escorting 100 tankers each day would require our entire navy, and our ships remain at risk if mines and drones are not fully neutralized.”

French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday said France will not take part in operations to reopen the Strait of Hormuz “in the current context,” amid rising tensions in the Middle East. Speaking at a Defense and National Security Council meeting on Iran and regional issues, Macron added that France could consider participating in ship escort operations only once the situation stabilizes. The announcement comes after U.S. President Donald Trump on Sunday called on several countries heavily dependent on Middle Eastern oil to join a coalition to secure vessel passage through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway responsible for about 20 percent of global oil shipments. The call follows joint U.S.-Israeli airstrikes on Tehran and other Iranian cities on February 28, which killed Iran’s then-Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei along with senior military officials and civilians. Iran has responded with missile and drone attacks on U.S. and Israeli bases in the region and tightened control over the strait. The strikes have entered their third week, with only 77 vessels transiting the strait since March, marking a nearly 90 percent year-on-year drop, according to Lloyd’s List Intelligence. European nations and the European Union have expressed reluctance or outright opposition to Trump’s proposed military escort mission. European leaders stressed the importance of diplomatic solutions and cautioned against further escalation, warning that the conflict should not evolve into a NATO operation or drag the continent into a wider war.