United News of Bangladesh

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has expressed gratitude to Pakistan for its “solidarity and support” in a message posted on his social media account on X. Writing in Urdu, Araghchi thanked the “government and people of Pakistan for their strong expression of solidarity and support with the people and government of the Islamic Republic of Iran” following the US-Israeli attacks. The message comes as Pakistan intensifies diplomatic contacts with regional countries. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held a telephone conversation with the Iranian leadership last week before travelling to Saudi Arabia. Araghchi says Iran not seeking ceasefire amid US conflict On March 12, Sharif and Pakistan’s army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir paid a brief visit to Riyadh, where they met Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Meanwhile, Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, who also serves as the country’s deputy prime minister, last week spoke with the foreign ministers of China, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Oman about what he described as the “serious and evolving situation in the Middle East and the wider region”. Bloomberg reported on Monday, citing ship-tracking data, that a Pakistani vessel had passed through the Strait of Hormuz and was heading towards Pakistan. Al Jazeera said it contacted Pakistan’s Information Ministry and the military for confirmation, but did not receive any response. Source- Al Jazeera

At least 15 people in Israel have been killed since the start of the war with Iran on February 28, according to the country’s emergency service Magen David Adom (MDA). The organisation said that on Sunday alone, 69 people were injured with light wounds while one person suffered moderate injuries. Overall, more than 900 people have been wounded since the conflict began, MDA said, adding that five of the injured were in serious condition. Emergency responders have been dealing with multiple missile strike sites across the country, including an Iranian ballistic missile attack reported earlier in the city of Yehud.   With inputs from BBC

Authorities have temporarily suspended flights at Dubai International Airport following a “drone-related incident” that caused a fire affecting a fuel tank, officials said. The suspension was announced as a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of passengers and airport staff while emergency teams respond to the situation. Travellers have been advised to contact their respective airlines for updates regarding flight schedules and possible disruptions. Before the outbreak of conflict between the United States and Iran in late February, Dubai International Airport was the world’s busiest airport for international passengers. The airport handled nearly 90 million travellers in 2025.   With inputs from BBC

US President Donald Trump has claimed that Iran is keen to negotiate over the ongoing conflict, though he suggested Tehran is not yet ready to formally enter diplomatic talks. Speaking to reporters aboard the presidential aircraft Air Force One, Trump said Washington had been communicating with Iranian officials but a breakthrough had not yet been reached. “We’re talking to them but I don’t think they’re ready, but they’re getting pretty close,” Trump said, reiterating his belief that Iran strongly wants a deal. However, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi rejected the claim, stating that Tehran had “never asked for a ceasefire” and had not sought negotiations either. Asked whether he was ready to declare victory over Iran, Trump said there was no reason to do so at the moment. He claimed the United States had inflicted significant damage and argued that if the conflict stopped immediately, it could take Iran up to a decade to rebuild. Trump also alleged that several reports circulating online were fabricated using artificial intelligence. He claimed that images showing thousands of people gathering in support of Mojtaba Khamenei, along with reports about “kamikaze boats” and attacks on the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln, were AI-generated, though he did not present evidence to support the claims. On relations with Israel, Trump dismissed suggestions of disagreements with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. He said the two leaders had not argued and described their relationship as “extraordinary.” Trump also predicted that global oil prices would drop sharply once the conflict ends, adding that he believes the war will conclude relatively soon.   With inputs from BBC

Fresh Israeli air strikes have been reported in several towns in southern Lebanon, according to local media and Al Jazeera. Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency said Israeli warplanes targeted the town of Hanin in Bint Jbeil district and the town of Kfar. Meanwhile, Al Jazeera’s correspondent reported that Israeli forces also carried out attacks on the towns of Aita al-Shaab and Yater.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has said that Tehran has neither requested a ceasefire nor sought negotiations with Donald Trump, stressing that Iran will continue to defend itself during the ongoing conflict with the United States. In an interview with CBS News, Araghchi said, “No, we never asked for a ceasefire, and we have never asked even for negotiation. We are ready to defend ourselves as long as it takes. And this is what we have done so far, and we continue to do that until President Trump comes to the point that this is an illegal war with no victory. There are people being killed only because President Trump wants to have fun. This is what he has said.” Iran ready to help probe civilian strikes, welcomes efforts to end conflict The Iranian foreign minister also criticised the US administration’s actions in the conflict, describing measures such as targeting ships as “a war of choice by President Trump and the United States.” Araghchi further rejected suggestions that Iran is fighting for survival, saying the government is “stable and strong enough” to protect its people without entering negotiations.

Israel’s health ministry said 108 people were taken to hospitals with injuries over the past 24 hours. According to the ministry, 96 of the injured sustained minor wounds, while two were listed in moderate condition. Another nine people were still undergoing medical evaluation. The ministry also said that since the conflict began, a total of 3,195 people have received hospital treatment for injuries. As of 07:00 GMT on Sunday, 81 injured individuals remained hospitalised, the statement added. However, the health ministry did not provide any update on the number of deaths linked to the conflict. #From BBC

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has reiterated that Iran has not targeted civilian or residential areas in the Middle East, and expressed Tehran’s willingness to form a joint committee with neighbouring countries to identify those responsible for such attacks. Araghchi, quoted on his Telegram channel, said in an interview with the Al-Araby al-Jadeed website that Iran is in contact with Gulf nations and would welcome any initiative aimed at ending the US-Israeli conflict against Iran. Gulf states report fresh attacks after Iran warns major UAE ports Gulf countries have urged Tehran to halt its strikes on their territories, noting that the attacks have affected not only US military installations but also energy infrastructure and residential zones. Source- Al Jazeera

The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps has promised to target PM Netanyahu as the war with Israel and the US continues. “If this child-killing criminal is alive, we will continue to pursue and kill him with full force,” the IRGC said, according to Iranian media. Source: Al Jazeera  

U.S. President Donald Trump said he is not ready to agree to a ceasefire with Iran, stating that Tehran’s proposed terms for ending the ongoing conflict are “not good enough.” In an interview with NBC News on Saturday, Trump said Iran wants to reach a deal to end the military campaign but the United States is not prepared to accept the current conditions. “Iran wants to make a deal, and I don’t want to make it because the terms aren’t good enough yet,” he said, adding that any agreement would need to include “very solid” conditions. Iran threatens UAE ports as war enters third week Trump did not specify the full terms Washington would demand but said Iran would have to commit to completely abandoning any nuclear ambitions as part of a ceasefire agreement. The remarks came about two weeks after the United States and Israel launched large-scale strikes on Iran on Feb. 28, escalating tensions across the Middle East. The conflict has already disrupted global shipping routes, pushed oil prices higher and raised concerns about the stability of the global economy.