United News of Bangladesh

Iran’s IRGC says it attacked a US oil tanker in the Gulf. The IRGC’s public relations department said in a statement carried by the state IRNA news agency that Iranian naval forces “successfully targeted an American oil tanker”, reports Al Jazeera. No further details were provided.

Azerbaijan’s Foreign Ministry has reported that several drones fired from Iran struck its territory, causing damage and civilian injuries. One drone reportedly hit a terminal building at Nakhchivan International Airport, while another landed near a school in the village of Shakarabad. “We strongly condemn these drone attacks carried out from the territory of the Islamic Republic of Iran, which resulted in damage to the airport building and injuries to two civilians,” the ministry said in a statement. The ministry described the incident as a violation of international law and called on Iran to clarify the situation and take measures to prevent similar events in the future. It added that Azerbaijan “reserves the right to take appropriate response measures.” In response to the incident, Azerbaijan summoned Iran’s ambassador to lodge a “strong protest” over the drone attacks.   #With inputs from ALJAZEERA

Iran has not closed the Strait of Hormuz, local media reported on Thursday, citing a military official. "We have not closed the Strait of Hormuz, and we deal with passing ships there according to international protocols," Deputy Commander of Khatam al-Anbia Central Headquarters Kiumars Heidari told Iran's state-run IRIB TV. "We have resolved that unless we break America's horn and leave it disappointed and despairing, we will not abandon this war," said Heidari. "It doesn't matter to us how many days this war lasts," he said. "We will end this war when we have achieved our objectives."

Iran has pledged to continue its military operations until its objectives are met, as tensions in the Gulf escalate. Iranian General Kioumars Heydari, deputy commander of Khatam al-Anbia Central Headquarters, said the country “will not abandon this war” and vowed to inflict heavy losses on the US. “It does not matter to us how many days this war lasts,” he told Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency. “We have experienced an eight-year war, and we will end this war only when we have achieved our objectives and made the enemy regret and despair over its disgraceful act.” Meanwhile, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed that its navy struck a US tanker in the northern Gulf early Thursday. The IRGC warned that military and commercial vessels from the US, Israel, and allied European countries “will not be allowed to pass through” the region. “If they are observed, they will certainly be hit,” the IRGC said. The IRGC added that, under international laws and resolutions, Iran reserves the right to control passage through the Strait of Hormuz during wartime. Tensions in the Gulf continue to rise as both sides maintain a firm military posture, raising concerns over regional security and global shipping routes. #From ALJAZEERA

Iran launched several missiles toward Israel early Thursday, the Israel Defense Forces said, amid escalating tensions between the two countries. According to Israel’s emergency service Magen David Adom, there were no immediate reports of casualties. Authorities issued three separate alerts within two hours, prompting residents in several areas to take shelter. Reporters from Agence France-Presse said explosions were heard in Jerusalem during the alerts. The Israeli military later announced that the situation had stabilized and allowed residents to leave shelters. Meanwhile, Iranian media reported that the country’s air defense systems shot down an Israeli drone over western Iran. According to Tasnim News Agency, Iranian forces intercepted and destroyed an Israeli Hermes drone over Hamedan Province. The report came shortly after Israel announced the launch of a new wave of attacks targeting sites across Iran, further intensifying the ongoing confrontation between the two regional rivals. #From Agencies

Israel’s public support for its ongoing war against Iran remains strong, but analysts warn that a prolonged conflict could strain the country’s military and economy. Since launching strikes on Iran on Saturday, Israel has faced repeated missile and drone attacks, prompting widespread air raid alerts, school closures, and the mobilisation of tens of thousands of reservists. Cities including Haifa and Tel Aviv have been under sustained attacks, stretching emergency services, reports Al Jazeera. Despite these pressures, many Israelis remain supportive of the war. Interviews show strong public backing, with the majority rallying behind the government, driven by a perception of Iran as a long-standing existential threat. Political economist Shir Hever noted that the current public mood contrasts with the June 2025 12-day war, which was marked more by fear than aggressive militarism. Analysts say ongoing hostilities could further radicalise society, entrenching far-right influence and prompting more young talent to emigrate. From a military perspective, Israel’s ability to sustain high-intensity conflict depends heavily on external support. Defence analyst Hamze Attar said Iran launched more than 200 ballistic missiles in the first three days of fighting, forcing Israel to expend interceptors from the Iron Dome, David’s Sling, and Arrow systems. Limited stocks mean prolonged conflict could require rationing, focusing defence on key military and political targets and increasing risks to civilians. Iran is reportedly producing around 100 missiles per month, but uncertainty remains over their types, numbers, and launchers. “If you don’t have the launchers, it doesn’t matter how many missiles you have,” Attar said. Economically, two years of near-continuous conflict have drained Israel’s finances. Spending on Gaza and Lebanon in 2024 reached $31 billion, rising to $55 billion in 2025, contributing to a debt crisis and a sovereign credit downgrade. Hever warned of additional pressures on energy, transport, and health services. However, experts argue that technology and US weapons support are likely to allow Israel to continue military operations despite economic strains. Hever said advanced weaponry, which can operate at long distances without putting soldiers at risk, diminishes the economic limits on the country’s military campaigns.

US officials on Wednesday claimed progress in their military campaign against Iran, vowing to crush Tehran’s government “without mercy” even as reports of civilian casualties continue to rise. Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth said the US military is operating with “little restraint,” asserting that Iranian leaders face constant airstrikes from US and Israeli forces, according to Al Jazeera report. “We are punching them while they’re down, which is exactly how it should be,” he said, describing jets “bringing death and destruction from the sky all day long.” White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt echoed Hegseth, stating that the US will continue “raining missiles and weapons down on Iran” to hit targets deemed crucial by the Department of War. Iranian officials condemned the remarks, with Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei calling them an admission of war crimes and crimes against humanity. He detailed strikes on schools, hospitals, residential buildings, street markets and medical centres, including a February 28 attack on a girls’ school in Minab that killed 165 people. US Senate backs Trump on expanding Iran war Leavitt said the Pentagon is investigating the Minab incident and maintained that US forces “do not target civilians.” Despite the strikes, the Iranian leadership, including Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, has been largely neutralised, yet the Islamic Republic system remains intact. The war has sparked regional tensions, with missiles and drones reportedly targeting Gulf civilian infrastructure. President Donald Trump hailed the campaign, rating its success “about 15” on a scale of 10, signalling continued US support for military operations in the region.

Amid internet blackouts in Iran, a resident in his forties, identified only as Amir, shared his reactions following the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei. Amir left Tehran after the bombing and said he feels hopeful for the future, as he had lived “locked under Khamenei’s rule.” He also expressed concern about a potential prolonged conflict that could affect Iran’s infrastructure. He noted that younger Iranians he spoke with worry about the Islamic regime surviving and fear a return to previous rule. “They want a revolution,” he said. Older residents, meanwhile, are focused on stability and family responsibilities, hoping for a quick resolution. Amir added, “They hope for change, but they’re concerned about a long war.”   With inputs from BBC

Iran has intensified attacks on Kurdish opposition groups in northern Iraq amid speculation that US President Donald Trump may want these groups to join the fight inside Iran. One base was hit by an Iranian ballistic missile around 11:00 local time, injuring four Kurdish Peshmerga fighters. One of them later died from his injuries. The missile left a large crater, crushed a building, and scattered rubble and twisted metal across the area. At another base of the Democratic Party of Iranian Kurdistan (KDPI), a double drone strike yesterday left charred remains and reportedly injured one civilian. A senior KDPI political leader said the Kurdish fighters could soon enter Iran, though he did not provide a timeline. A 25-year-old fighter, Hassan, told reporters he was ready to go to Iran to fight for freedom and his nation, saying, “We are closer than ever.”   With inputs from BBC

Iranian security chief Ali Larijani has warned US President Donald Trump that the death of Ayatollah Khamenei “will exact a heavy price,” following US-Israel strikes on Iran. In a post on X, Larijani said Trump “has dragged the American people into an unjust war with Iran” after being influenced by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s “clownish antics.” He asked, “Does America still come first – or Israel?” The warning comes after US and Israeli strikes began on 28 February and have continued across Iran. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the US anticipated Israeli action and acted “pre-emptively” to protect American forces from potential Iranian attacks.   With inputs from BBC