United News of Bangladesh

US President Donald Trump has said he wants to be involved in selecting Iran’s next supreme leader as the war involving the United States, Israel and Iran entered its sixth day, with the conflict spreading across the Middle East. In an interview with the news website Axios, Trump dismissed Mojtaba Khamenei, the son of slain Iranian leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, as a potential successor. Mojtaba Khamenei has been seen as a leading contender to replace his father, who was killed during the opening wave of US-Israeli strikes on Iran. Trump described the 56-year-old cleric as “a lightweight” and said Washington wants a leader who would bring stability to Iran. “We want someone that will bring harmony and peace to Iran,” Trump said, adding that he hoped to be involved in the appointment process “like with Delcy in Venezuela,” referring to Delcy Rodríguez, who assumed leadership there following a US-backed operation earlier this year that led to the detention of President Nicolás Maduro. Trump’s remarks are likely to intensify speculation about whether Washington and Israel ultimately seek regime change in Iran or simply a shift in Tehran’s policies. Meanwhile, the conflict continued to widen, affecting at least 14 countries across the region and beyond. Iran continued launching missile and drone attacks against Israel, US military installations and other targets in the Middle East, while American and Israeli forces carried out widespread airstrikes across Iran targeting military facilities, leadership figures and parts of the country’s nuclear programme. Casualties from the war have continued to rise. Officials say at least 1,230 people have been killed in Iran, more than 100 in Lebanon and about a dozen in Israel. Six US service members have also been killed. Iran’s retaliation has also disrupted oil supplies and international air travel, while several neighbouring Arab countries reported attacks or interceptions of missiles and drones. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi accused the US Navy of committing an “atrocity at sea” after an Iranian warship, the IRIS Dena, was sunk earlier in the week in the Indian Ocean, killing at least 87 crew members. The vessel had been returning from naval exercises hosted by India and also attended by the United States. Araghchi warned that Washington would “bitterly regret” the incident. Sri Lankan authorities said 32 sailors had been rescued from the vessel. Amid rising tensions, an Iranian cleric, Ayatollah Abdollah Javadi Amoli, called on state television for violence against Israel and Trump — a rare statement from a senior Shiite cleric. The regional conflict has also intensified militarily. Israel reported fresh missile attacks targeting Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, while its forces launched strikes on Iranian ballistic missile launch sites. In the United Arab Emirates, a drone was intercepted near Al Dhafra Air Base, which hosts US forces, leaving six people injured by falling debris. Qatar evacuated residents near the US Embassy in Doha as a precaution and later reported a missile attack on the city. Saudi Arabia said it destroyed a drone near its border with Jordan, while Bahrain reported that an Iranian missile struck a state-run oil refinery, triggering a fire that was later extinguished without casualties. Bahraini authorities said their forces have intercepted dozens of Iranian missiles and drones since the conflict began. Azerbaijan also accused Iran of launching drone attacks after one drone crashed near the airport in the Nakhchivan region and another fell close to a school, injuring four airport workers. President Ilham Aliyev described the incident as an act of aggression and said his country was preparing retaliatory measures. Iran denied launching drones toward Azerbaijan. The war has also disrupted shipping routes in the Gulf of Oman and the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global oil transit route, pushing oil prices higher. As tensions expanded further, Israel issued a mass evacuation warning to residents of Beirut’s southern suburbs, signalling the possibility of large-scale bombardment against Hezbollah positions. The Israeli military said it had struck several Hezbollah command centres in the area. UN peacekeepers reported clashes, including ground combat, in southern Lebanon as Israeli forces moved deeper across the border. UNIFIL spokesperson Tilak Pokharel said peacekeepers observed ground fighting near the border village of Kfar Kila and witnessed airstrikes, flares and explosions in nearby towns overnight as the conflict continued to escalate.

The United States has asked Ukraine to help Gulf allies defend against Iranian drones, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said, as tensions in the Middle East raise concerns about wider security risks. Zelensky said several partners have contacted Kyiv seeking support, including requests from the American side. The Pentagon has not commented on the claim. He said Ukraine is willing to assist but only if the support does not weaken its own defence against Russia. Zelensky also suggested a possible exchange in which Ukraine could provide interceptor drones in return for more US Patriot air defence systems to counter Russian ballistic missiles. The Middle East conflict has raised fears that Ukraine could face reduced attention and support from allies if global focus shifts to the new crisis. There are also concerns that the war could increase oil prices, which would benefit Russia by boosting revenues that fund its military operations. Despite these risks, Zelensky appears eager to use the situation to strengthen Ukraine’s diplomatic and military position. He said Kyiv has been in contact with leaders in the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, Jordan and Kuwait about helping defend their military bases and civilian infrastructure from drone attacks. Ukraine has extensive experience dealing with Iranian-designed Shahed drones used by Russian forces. These one way attack drones are difficult to intercept without proper equipment and training. “It is clear what their main request to Ukraine is,” Zelensky said on social media, noting that countries facing Iranian drone attacks need expertise and effective defence systems. Ukraine may hope that helping US partners in the Gulf will improve relations with Washington and build stronger ties with Arab states, some of which have maintained close relations with Russia. Delegations from several Gulf countries have already arrived in Kyiv for discussions on possible cooperation. Zelensky also warned that the Middle East conflict has led to heavy use of Patriot interceptor missiles. He said around 800 Patriot PAC-3 missiles had been used in recent days, more than Ukraine has received during the entire war. He suggested Ukraine could transfer some drone interceptors to partners if it receives additional Patriot missiles to fill its own shortages. Ukraine’s defence industry says it could increase production of interceptor drones to about 10,000 per month. However, officials say any decision to export such systems would require approval from the country’s top leadership. Experts also warn that providing equipment alone may not be enough, as foreign partners would require extensive training to use advanced air defence systems effectively.   With inputs from BBC

A lecture by Jiang Xueqin has recently gone viral online after several of his geopolitical predictions appeared to align with current global developments. Jiang, a Chinese-Canadian professor of philosophy and history educated at Yale University and currently teaching in Beijing, has drawn widespread attention on social media, where some users have dubbed him “China’s Nostradamus.” His growing popularity is also linked to his YouTube channel, Predictive History, which has gained more than 1.5 million subscribers for its analysis of global political trends and forecasts. Jiang’s predictions are based on historical patterns, game theory and geopolitical incentives, an approach inspired by the concept of “psychohistory” introduced by science fiction writer Isaac Asimov. A lecture he posted in May 2024 has recently resurfaced and attracted significant attention online. In that lecture, Jiang made three key predictions. He suggested that Donald Trump would return to power and warned that a second Trump administration could lead to a major confrontation with Iran. With those two developments now widely debated in political circles, attention has turned to Jiang’s third prediction — that the United States could ultimately lose in a prolonged escalation with Iran. To explain his view, Jiang compared a potential US military campaign against Iran to the Sicilian Expedition, an ambitious military operation launched by ancient Athens that ended in disaster. According to Jiang, Iran’s mountainous terrain, large population and strong domestic resistance would make any long-term military occupation extremely difficult. Speaking recently on the US political program Breaking Points, Jiang also said Iran has spent decades preparing for such a confrontation. He argued that Iran and allied groups, including the Hezbollah, Hamas and the Houthis, have studied American and Israeli military strategies over the years, he reports Times of India. Jiang believes the conflict, if it intensifies, would likely become a prolonged war of attrition aimed at gradually weakening US influence in the region. While it remains uncertain whether his final prediction will materialise, Jiang said any prolonged confrontation could have far-reaching consequences, potentially reshaping the global political landscape.

As the US-Israel conflict with Iran entered its sixth day on Thursday, tensions have intensified and begun to spread across the Middle East and beyond, with significant implications for countries heavily dependent on imported fuel. The war has killed more than 1,000 people in Iran, more than 50 in Lebanon and around a dozen in Israel, according to officials in those countries. The escalating hostilities have disrupted key energy routes, driven up global oil prices and heightened economic uncertainty in regions reliant on Middle Eastern energy supplies. The ongoing violence has also raised fears of broader regional instability, particularly affecting oil transit through the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial chokepoint for nearly one-fifth of the world’s crude shipments. Global stock markets have been hammered amid worries that the spike in oil prices may grind down the world economy. US stocks appeared steadier at Wednesday’s opening. Bangladeshi economist Professor Selim Raihan has warned that the country faces a significant risk of sudden uncertainty if the conflict in the Middle East expands further. In a Facebook post on Wednesday, Raihan said the situation became more alarming after Iran on Monday declared the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, triggering sharp volatility in the global energy market. “Tehran has reportedly warned that its Revolutionary Guard and navy would take strict action against any vessel attempting to cross the strategic waterway.” He said that a substantial share of the world’s crude oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) shipments passes through the Strait of Hormuz. “Any disruption to shipping along this route could cause major interruptions in global energy supply, with immediate consequences for import-dependent economies such as Bangladesh.” Seeking an early resolution to the ongoing crisis in the Middle East, Bangladesh on Wednesday conveyed to the US that it is difficult for a country like Bangladesh to bear the economic impact of this war if it lasts longer and spreads further. “We have discussed the crisis in the Middle East. I told him (US Assistant Secretary S Paul Kapur) that two of our Bangladeshis have lost lives and seven others have been injured. If this war is prolonged or spreads, this fear may increase further,” Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman told reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs after his meeting with the US top diplomat. Meanwhile, a torpedo fired by a US submarine sank an Iranian warship off the coast of Sri Lanka. The Sri Lankan navy said on Wednesday that it had recovered 87 bodies and rescued 32 people. The Iranian vessel sunk in the Indian Ocean was the Islamic Republic’s “prize ship”, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said. It was one of the few instances of a submarine sinking a ship since the Second World War. The sinking of the IRIS Dena illustrates a US-Israeli military operation against Iran that is stretching beyond its borders. War affects tens of thousands of flights Over 20,000 of the more than 36,000 flights scheduled to fly to or from the Middle East between Saturday’s start of the war and Wednesday have been cancelled, according to aviation analytics firm Cirium. How sport is being disrupted by the war The war against Iran launched by the United States and Israel — and Iran's retaliation — has had a considerable impact on sport. The US-Israel war with Iran has caused many sporting events in the region to be postponed. The conflict is also affecting other events farther afield, largely by forcing changes to travel arrangements. Some questions cannot yet be answered. Iranian women kick off Women's Asian Cup campaign The 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup kicked off on Sunday — a day after the US and Israel began launching airstrikes on Iran — but far from the conflict, in Australia. On Day 2 of the tournament, on Monday, all eyes were on the Iranian team, one of 12 taking part in the Women’s Asian Cup. The Iranian women did not sing the national anthem. South Korea dominated the football match from the outset, as might have been expected given that they sit 21st in the FIFA women’s rankings, well above Iran at 68th. South Korea won comfortably 3–0. Men's football World Cup: Will Iran participate? Even as the women were playing their opening match at the Women’s Asian Cup, the big question on football fans’ minds around the world is whether the Iranian men will do the same at this summer’s World Cup. Iran’s group matches are all scheduled to be held in the United States, with two matches in Los Angeles and one in Seattle. The president of Iran’s FA now says he cannot yet confirm whether the team will take part. Iraq’s World Cup qualifying impacted by the war Iraq’s hopes of World Cup qualification are being affected by the Iran war because embassy and airspace closures are preventing players from obtaining visas for the play-off tournament in Mexico. The Iraqi football federation says it is communicating with FIFA about its match against Bolivia or Suriname in Monterrey, Mexico, on 31 March. The federation wrote in a social media post that its coach, Graham Arnold, is unable to leave the United Arab Emirates, and several players and staff members are experiencing difficulties obtaining visas. Iraq and the UAE have been floated as potential replacements for Iran’s team — which has already qualified — should the Iranians not participate in the World Cup. Hegseth says war with Iran could last 8 weeks U.S. Defence Secretary Peter Brian Hegseth says the timeline could extend further than previously speculated. “You can say four weeks, but it could be six, it could be eight, it could be three,” he said. “Ultimately, we set the pace and the tempo.”   # With inputs from agencies    

Around 140 people are feared missing after an Iranian navy ship sank off the coast of Sri Lanka early Wednesday, as tensions across the Middle East continued to intensify with fresh strikes, missile interceptions and evacuation efforts. Sri Lanka’s navy said it rescued 32 people after receiving a distress call from the Iranian vessel ‘IRIS Dena’. Navy spokesman Budhika Sampath said the ship went down about 40 nautical miles off the coast, within Sri Lanka’s search and rescue region. “Though it was beyond our waters, it was within our search and rescue region. So we were obliged to respond as per international obligations,” he said. According to ship documents, around 180 people were believed to be on board. Officials said they saw oil patches and floating lifeboats at the scene, but no sign of the vessel itself. The cause of the sinking remains unknown, and Sri Lankan authorities rejected reports suggesting a submarine attack. The incident comes as the conflict involving Iran, Israel and the United States entered its fifth day, with violence spreading across several countries. Israel said it had launched a new wave of strikes across Tehran, targeting what it described as “security headquarters” and regime infrastructure. Images from the Iranian capital showed several buildings reduced to rubble. Residents described fear and exhaustion amid repeated explosions. A planned three-day state funeral for Iran’s late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, reportedly killed in an Israeli strike on Saturday, has been postponed, according to Iranian state media. Speculation is growing over his successor, with reports saying his son Mojtaba Khamenei survived recent attacks. In Lebanon, Israel ordered civilians south of the Litani River to evacuate immediately ahead of military action against Hezbollah. Strikes were also reported in Beirut’s outskirts, including damage to a hotel in Hazmieh. The Israeli military said it was targeting Hezbollah operatives and facilities. Elsewhere, Saudi Arabia reported an attempted drone attack on the Ras Tanura oil refinery, believed to be the kingdom’s largest. The Saudi defence ministry said the drone caused no damage. Kuwait said it was intercepting a wave of missiles and drones, while Turkey’s defence ministry said Nato air defences shot down an Iranian missile heading towards Turkish airspace. No casualties were reported. The UK Maritime Trade Operations also reported that a container ship was struck by an “unknown projectile” in the Strait of Hormuz, causing a fire in its engine room. No environmental damage was reported and investigations are ongoing. Amid significant flight disruptions, countries are working to evacuate their nationals from the region. The UK confirmed that a repatriation flight from Muscat, Oman, is scheduled to depart at 23:00 local time. As missile exchanges and airstrikes continue across Iran, Lebanon and neighbouring states, fears are mounting that the conflict could widen further across the region.   With inputs from BBC

The ongoing war involving Iran has not only brought oil tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz to a near standstill, but is also straining broader global supply chains, disrupting the movement of goods ranging from Indian pharmaceuticals and Asian semiconductors to fertilizers and petrochemical products from the Middle East. Cargo vessels are either stranded inside the Gulf or rerouting around Africa’s Cape of Good Hope, adding time and cost to deliveries. Meanwhile, air cargo operations across parts of the Middle East have been curtailed, raising concerns about shortages and rising prices if the conflict persists. Patrick Penfield, a supply chain expert at Syracuse University, warned that prolonged instability would likely trigger supply shortfalls and significant price hikes worldwide. Shipping bottlenecks spreadAccording to Clarksons Research, roughly 3,200 vessels — about 4% of global shipping tonnage — are currently idle inside the Persian Gulf, though many operate only regionally. Another 500 ships are reportedly waiting outside the Gulf near ports in the United Arab Emirates and Oman. While the share may appear limited, industry experts caution that disruptions at key chokepoints can ripple through the global logistics network. Michael Goldman of CARU Containers compared the supply chain to a train, where a derailment in one segment can affect multiple links along the route. In response to the crisis, U.S. President Donald Trump announced measures aimed at restoring tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. He said the U.S. International Development Finance Corp. would offer political risk insurance for ships transiting the Gulf and indicated the U.S. Navy could escort tankers if needed. The Navy maintains multiple destroyers and littoral combat ships in the region. Key goods face delaysBeyond oil — roughly 20% of which transits the region — the Middle East is a major exporter of natural gas–based products such as petrochemical feedstock and nitrogen fertilizer. In addition, pharmaceuticals from India and electronics, batteries and semiconductors from Asia often pass through the region, leaving them vulnerable to delays. Instability has also affected the Red Sea and the Suez Canal, routes already strained by previous Houthi attacks. Shipping giant Maersk said it is diverting vessels around southern Africa to avoid risk, a decision that can extend voyages by up to two weeks and add around $1 million in fuel costs per trip. Higher fuel prices, longer transit times and war-risk surcharges are driving up shipping expenses, which are expected to filter down to consumers. Air freight capacity squeezedAir cargo networks have also been hit. Airspace closures and airport shutdowns in countries including the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Iraq and Iran have grounded flights, affecting both passengers and freight. Middle Eastern carriers such as Emirates, Qatar Airways and Etihad Airways operate significant cargo fleets and also transport goods in passenger aircraft holds. Although air freight accounts for less than 1% of global shipping volume, it represents about 35% of global trade value, according to Boeing, due to the high-value or time-sensitive nature of the goods transported — including medicines, electronics and fresh produce. Industry analysts say extended airport closures could have serious economic consequences, particularly for countries like India, a major exporter of pharmaceuticals. Rerouted flights, longer travel times and additional fuel stops are likely to increase costs. Maersk said it expects air freight rates to climb due to reduced capacity and added surcharges, including possible war-risk fees and higher jet fuel costs. Industry adapts to repeated shocksDespite the turmoil, logistics companies say they are accustomed to navigating disruption after years of shocks, including the COVID-19 pandemic and previous Middle East conflicts. While the current crisis is considered highly unusual in scope, industry leaders say supply chains have grown more flexible in recent years — though the longer the conflict endures, the greater the risk of lasting economic fallout.  

The United States and Israel launched fresh airstrikes on Tehran and other Iranian cities Wednesday, marking the fifth consecutive day of fighting, as Iran retaliated with waves of missiles and drones targeting Israel and sites across the region. Residents of the Iranian capital awoke to explosions at dawn, with state television airing images of heavily damaged buildings in central Tehran. The holy city of Qom and several other urban centers were also struck. Israeli warplanes were reported overhead as anxious residents watched the skies. A shopkeeper, speaking anonymously out of fear of repercussions, said he was torn between fleeing and staying to earn a living. He also voiced concern that broader regional involvement could worsen the conflict. Israel’s military said one of its F-35 fighter jets downed an Iranian Air Force YAK-130 aircraft over Tehran. Air defenses were also activated across Israel to intercept incoming Iranian missiles, with blasts heard near Jerusalem. Oil markets and US facilities under threatWith Iran controlling access to the Strait of Hormuz — a key route for roughly 20% of global oil shipments — Brent crude surged above $84 a barrel, rising more than 15% since the conflict began and reaching its highest level since July 2024. Markets worldwide have reacted sharply amid fears that soaring energy costs could hurt economic growth. Drone attacks targeted the U.S. Embassy in Saudi Arabia and the U.S. Consulate in the United Arab Emirates on Tuesday. The State Department on Wednesday authorized the departure of non-essential personnel from Saudi Arabia. U.S. Central Command chief Adm. Brad Cooper said Iran has launched more than 500 ballistic missiles and 2,000 drones since hostilities began. He described the initial U.S. strikes as nearly twice the scale of the opening phase of the 2003 Iraq invasion. According to Cooper, nearly 2,000 targets have been hit so far, significantly weakening Iran’s air defenses and missile infrastructure. Nearly 800 people have reportedly been killed in Iran since the fighting began. U.S. President Donald Trump has suggested the conflict could last weeks and said some of those killed had once been seen as potential future leaders of Iran. Conflict spreads across the regionAir raid sirens sounded in Bahrain, home to the U.S. Navy’s 5th Fleet, while Qatar said two Iranian ballistic missiles were fired toward its territory, with one striking Al-Udeid Air Base without causing casualties. In Lebanon, Israeli strikes killed at least five people in Baalbek, according to state media, as Israel said it was responding to rocket fire from Hezbollah. Lebanese health officials report more than 50 dead and over 300 wounded. Iran-linked militias in Iraq have also stepped up attacks. Saraya Awliya al-Dam claimed responsibility for a drone strike on Jordan and for previous attacks on U.S. targets in Baghdad and Irbil. Iran has continued to launch missile and drone salvos at Israel, though Israeli defenses have intercepted most incoming projectiles. Eleven people have been killed in Israel since the war began. Leadership succession in focusEarly joint U.S.-Israeli strikes killed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, prompting speculation over succession. Although President Trump initially urged Iranians to rise up, senior U.S. officials later clarified that regime change was not the stated objective. Israel’s defense minister warned that whoever is chosen as Iran’s next supreme leader could face assassination threats. Israeli forces also said they struck facilities in Tehran linked to the Basij militia, part of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard, which led a deadly crackdown on protesters earlier this year. Iran’s judiciary chief warned that anyone aligning with the U.S.-Israeli campaign would be treated as an enemy under wartime conditions. Iran’s leadership is now working to appoint a successor — only the second such transition since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Among the figures reportedly under consideration is Mojtaba Khamenei, son of the late supreme leader. Israeli officials said they targeted a building in Qom believed to be associated with clerics discussing the selection process. Iranian media denied that a meeting was underway at the time, saying members of the Assembly of Experts were convening remotely. Mounting casualtiesIran’s Red Crescent Society said at least 787 people have been killed in U.S.-Israeli strikes. Casualties have also been reported elsewhere in the Gulf: Kuwait confirmed the death of an 11-year-old girl from falling debris during an interception, while three people were killed in the United Arab Emirates and one in Bahrain. Six U.S. Army Reserve soldiers were killed Sunday in a drone attack on a command center in Kuwait’s Port Shuaiba. With neither side signaling a pause, questions remain over how and when the expanding conflict will end.  

Mojtaba Khamenei, son of Iran’s late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, has long been viewed as a potential successor to his father — even before an Israeli airstrike at the outset of last week’s war killed the 86-year-old cleric. Despite never holding elected office or a formal government post, his name has frequently surfaced in succession discussions. A reclusive and influential figure within Iran’s Islamic system, Mojtaba has not appeared in public since Saturday, when the strike targeted the supreme leader’s offices. Among those killed was his wife, Zahra Haddad Adel, whose family has longstanding ties to Iran’s ruling religious establishment. Iranian state media have not disclosed Mojtaba’s whereabouts, though he is widely believed to be alive and possibly in hiding as U.S. and Israeli airstrikes continue. Standing strengthened after airstrikeCritics have previously warned that Mojtaba’s rise could resemble a dynastic transfer of power akin to Iran’s pre-revolution monarchy. However, with hard-liners portraying his father and wife as martyrs in the conflict with the United States and Israel, his position may have strengthened among senior clerics in the 88-member Assembly of Experts, the body tasked with appointing the next supreme leader. The next leader will assume authority over a country at war and a stockpile of highly enriched uranium that could potentially be used for nuclear weapons, should such a decision be made. Observers have likened Mojtaba’s behind-the-scenes role to that of Ahmad Khomeini, son of Iran’s first supreme leader Ruhollah Khomeini — acting as confidant, gatekeeper and power broker. Early life shaped by revolutionBorn in 1969 in Mashhad, a decade before the 1979 Islamic Revolution, Mojtaba grew up during his father’s opposition to Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi. Family accounts describe a raid by the shah’s secret police, SAVAK, during which the elder Khamenei was beaten. After the revolution, the family moved to Tehran. Mojtaba later fought in the Iran-Iraq war as a member of a battalion within Iran’s Revolutionary Guard, a force whose senior ranks have since included figures believed to be close to the Khamenei family. When Ali Khamenei became supreme leader in 1989, Mojtaba gained proximity to significant financial and institutional networks, including religious foundations known as bonyads, which control vast economic assets. Expanding influence behind the scenesOver the years, Mojtaba’s influence reportedly grew within his father’s office. U.S. diplomatic cables published by WikiLeaks described him as “the power behind the robes,” alleging he acted as a key gatekeeper and cultivated his own power base. Though some observers questioned his theological credentials and relative youth, insiders have viewed him as an assertive and capable political operator with strong alliances. He has reportedly maintained close ties with Iran’s Revolutionary Guard, including its elite Quds Force and the Basij militia, which has suppressed domestic protests. The United States imposed sanctions on Mojtaba in 2019 during the administration of Donald Trump, accusing him of helping advance his father’s regional policies and domestic crackdown. Allegations have also linked him to backing the 2005 election of hard-line President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and his disputed 2009 re-election, which triggered mass protests known as the Green Movement. Reformist politician Mehdi Karroubi accused Mojtaba of interfering in those elections, calling him “a master’s son,” a charge dismissed at the time by his father. High stakes in successionIran has witnessed only one previous transition in the supreme leadership — following the death of Ruhollah Khomeini in 1989. The next supreme leader will take office amid heightened regional tensions following a 12-day conflict with Israel and broader U.S.-Israeli efforts aimed at curbing Iran’s nuclear and military capabilities. As the highest authority in Iran’s Shiite theocratic system, the supreme leader holds ultimate decision-making power, serves as commander-in-chief of the armed forces and oversees the Revolutionary Guard. The Guard, which leads the so-called “Axis of Resistance” across the Middle East and controls Iran’s ballistic missile program, remains central to the country’s military and political structure. With the country at a critical juncture, the question of succession has taken on renewed urgency.

Holi, often called the Hindu festival of colors, is a vibrant annual celebration marking the arrival of spring. Observed mainly in India, Nepal and other South Asian nations, as well as among the global Indian diaspora, the festival blends cultural joy with deep religious meaning. It symbolizes love, renewal and the triumph of positivity over negativity. The celebration usually takes place in March, on the last full moon day of the Hindu luni-solar month of Falgun. Because it follows the lunar calendar, the exact date changes each year. In 2026, Holi will be observed on March 4. One of the festival’s most recognizable traditions sees participants dressed in white gathering outdoors to toss bright colored powders at one another, transforming streets into a mosaic of hues. Music, dancing and festive foods add to the lively atmosphere. Mythological Roots Holi’s origins lie in Hindu mythology, and many communities light bonfires on the eve of the festival to represent the victory of good over evil. A popular legend tells of the demon king Hiranyakashipu, who demanded to be worshipped as a god. When his son Prahlada remained devoted to Vishnu instead, the king plotted to kill him. He enlisted his sister Holika, believed to be immune to fire, to sit with the boy in a blazing pyre. However, Prahlada’s devotion saved him, while Holika perished — a story that underscores faith and righteousness prevailing over evil. In parts of southern India, the festival is linked to the tale of Shiva burning Kamadeva, the god of love, with his third eye. Known as Kama Dahanam, the event signifies overcoming earthly desires in pursuit of spiritual growth. Holi is also associated with Krishna and his playful love for Radha, along with his interactions with the gopikas, who symbolize devotion and unconditional love. Celebrations and Traditions On Holi, towns and neighborhoods come alive as people splash colored powders and water on friends and strangers alike. Water balloons and squirt guns add to the fun, and celebrants often greet one another with shouts of “Holi hai!” meaning “It’s Holi!” Over time, Bollywood films have further popularized the festival’s exuberant spirit. Each color used during Holi carries symbolism: blue reflects Krishna’s complexion, green represents spring and new beginnings, red is linked to marriage and fertility, and red and yellow together denote auspiciousness in Hindu rituals. Special dishes are central to the festivities. A favorite treat is “gujia,” a deep-fried pastry filled with sweetened milk solids, nuts and dried fruits. Another staple is “thandai,” a chilled drink made with milk, sugar, almonds, fennel seeds, rose petals, poppy seeds and saffron. Holi in the Diaspora Beyond South Asia, Holi is celebrated with religious observances and community events. In North America and other regions with significant Hindu populations, festivities range from temple ceremonies and Holika Dahan bonfires to cultural programs, parades and Bollywood-themed gatherings. Hindu temples and community centers abroad often organize cricket matches and other social activities around the holiday, helping preserve tradition while bringing communities together in celebration.

Amazon’s cloud computing arm has said that three of its facilities in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Bahrain were damaged by drone strikes following US and Israeli attacks on Iran over the weekend. The incidents took place on Sunday morning. At the time, Amazon Web Services (AWS) said that unidentified “objects” had struck one of its data centres in the UAE, causing sparks and a fire. On the same day, the company also reported power and connectivity problems at one of its facilities in Bahrain. On Monday, AWS confirmed that the disruptions were caused by drone strikes. According to the company, two facilities in the UAE were directly hit. In Bahrain, a drone strike near one of its sites caused physical damage to infrastructure. AWS said the attacks led to structural damage and interrupted power supply to key systems. In some cases, fire suppression efforts were required, which also resulted in additional water damage. The company said it is working to restore services as quickly as possible but cautioned that full recovery may take time due to the extent of the physical damage. AWS also advised customers in the region to back up their data and consider shifting workloads to other AWS facilities worldwide as a precaution. The company warned that the ongoing conflict has made the overall operating environment in the Middle East increasingly uncertain. US President Donald Trump has indicated that the strikes on Iran could continue for four to five weeks, and possibly even longer. In response, Iran has launched waves of missiles and drones targeting US bases and allied locations across the region, including in the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia.   With inputs from BBC.