United News of Bangladesh

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.

Six people have been confirmed dead and one remains missing after a Qatari helicopter crashed in the Gulf country’s waters, authorities said.  

Israeli settlers carried out a series of overnight attacks on Palestinian villages in the occupied West Bank, smashing vehicles, setting fires and injuring several people, officials said Sunday. According to the Palestinian news agency WAFA, the violence affected at least six communities. The Palestinian Red Crescent Society said at least three residents in Jalud village suffered head injuries from beatings and were hospitalized after confronting settlers. Some settlers were also reported injured. The attacks come amid a surge in tensions as Israel moves forward with new settlement plans in the West Bank. Violence involving settlers has intensified alongside broader regional unrest linked to the ongoing Iran war. The Israeli military said it responded to reports of civilians carrying out arson and disturbances but did not confirm any arrests or say whether investigations had been launched. WAFA reported incidents in Silat al-Dahr and Fandaqumiya near Jenin, Jalud and areas near Salfit south of Nablus, as well as in Masafer Yatta and the Jordan Valley. Homes and cars were set on fire, Palestinians were pepper-sprayed and at least five people were wounded during the assaults, which took place during the Eid-ul-Fitr holiday marking the end of Ramadan. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said at least 25 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli settlers and security forces so far this year. The Palestinian Authority has also reported multiple arson attacks, including on mosques, across the territory.

Iran has fired missiles toward Diego Garcia, a remote island in the Indian Ocean hosting a crucial US-UK military base, prompting strong condemnation from Britain despite the attack being unsuccessful. The island lies about 4,000 kilometers from Iran, and it remains unclear how close the missiles came. The incident has drawn fresh attention to the strategic importance of the base and the geopolitical tensions surrounding it. Diego Garcia serves as a vital hub for US military operations across the Middle East, South Asia and East Africa. Hosting around 2,500 mostly American personnel, the base has supported major operations from the Vietnam War to conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. It has also been linked to covert rendition flights in the past. The US deployed nuclear-capable B-2 bombers to the island last year during airstrikes targeting Yemen’s Houthi rebels. While Britain had initially restricted the use of the base for US-Israeli strikes on Iran, it later allowed limited use for defensive operations, including targeting missile sites threatening shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. Iran has criticized the move, warning it puts British lives at risk. Analysts say Tehran’s attempt to strike Diego Garcia may indicate efforts to extend its missile range, possibly using modified space-launch technology, though with reduced accuracy. Diego Garcia is part of the Chagos Archipelago, a group of more than 60 islands under British control since 1814. In the 1960s and 1970s, Britain expelled around 2,000 سكان to make way for the US base — a move that has drawn longstanding international criticism. The United Nations and the International Court of Justice have called on Britain to return the islands to Mauritius, arguing that its control amounts to colonial rule. Last year, the UK agreed to transfer sovereignty of the islands to Mauritius while leasing back Diego Garcia for at least 99 years to maintain the military base. However, the deal has faced criticism from opposition politicians and displaced islanders, as well as from US President Donald Trump, who called it a “very stupid” move. The agreement has since been put on hold as Britain seeks to regain US support, highlighting the island’s continued strategic and political significance.

The Israeli military has said it killed a Hamas operative in Lebanon, alleging his involvement in financing the group’s activities. In a statement, the military said the operation was carried out earlier this week under the direction of the Shin Bet intelligence agency, targeting an individual identified as Walid Muhammad Dib. Israel claimed that Dib played a key role in transferring funds to Hamas networks in the occupied West Bank, Lebanon and other locations, as well as in recruiting operatives. The claims made by the Israeli authorities could not be independently verified.

An Iranian missile struck the southern Israeli town of Arad on Saturday after air defence systems failed to intercept it, causing extensive damage and leaving scores injured, officials said. Israel’s emergency services reported that at least 88 people were taken to hospital, including 10 in serious condition. Dozens more were injured in a separate strike in Dimona, located about 13 kilometres from a key nuclear facility. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the situation as a “very difficult evening” for the country.   With inputs from BBC

Iranian missiles struck two southern Israeli communities late Saturday, injuring dozens and damaging multiple buildings near the country’s main nuclear research facility, as the United States threatened fresh attacks if Iran does not reopen the Strait of Hormuz. The escalation marks a dangerous turn in the conflict, now entering its fourth week, amid rising global concern over energy security and regional stability. US President Donald Trump warned that Washington would target Iranian power plants within 48 hours if Tehran fails to ensure free passage through the vital shipping lane. The ultimatum comes as oil and gas prices surge due to disruptions in maritime transport. Iran responded by warning that any attack on its energy infrastructure would trigger strikes on US and Israeli assets across the region, according to statements carried by state-linked media. The Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global oil shipments, has seen near-total disruption following attacks on commercial vessels and heightened security risks, forcing producers to cut output. Israeli authorities said missiles hit the southern cities of Dimona and Arad, marking the first reported breach of air defence systems near the sensitive nuclear zone in the Negev desert. At least 64 people were hospitalised, with several residential buildings heavily damaged. The strikes followed an earlier attack on Iran’s Natanz nuclear facility, though Israel denied responsibility. No radiation leak was reported, according to Iranian authorities and international monitors. Military officials indicated the conflict is intensifying, with Iran also attempting a long-range strike targeting a joint US-UK military base in Diego Garcia, though the attack was unsuccessful. The war has expanded beyond immediate battlegrounds, affecting global energy supplies and pushing up fuel and food prices worldwide. International pressure is mounting to restore safe navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, with multiple countries expressing readiness to support efforts to secure the route. Meanwhile, the US is reinforcing its military presence in the region, deploying additional naval assets and troops, as hostilities continue across multiple fronts, including clashes between Israeli forces and Hezbollah fighters in southern Lebanon. Casualty figures continue to rise, with Iran reporting more than 1,500 deaths and Israel confirming multiple deaths from missile attacks, alongside casualties among US forces and civilians in Gulf countries.

Iranian authorities have detained 25 individuals in West Azerbaijan province for allegedly sending “news and images from sensitive sites” to media outlets deemed hostile, according to Tasnim news agency, citing the province’s police chief. Officials have repeatedly warned citizens against collaborating with groups they consider hostile, particularly those allegedly aligned with the United States and Israel, amid the ongoing conflict.  #From Al Jazeera