United News of Bangladesh

Powerful explosions were reported in the Iranian capital, Tehran, early Saturday, sending thick smoke into the sky. In response, Iran launched missiles toward Israel, while the United States warned that an even larger bombing campaign could soon take place as the weeklong conflict escalates. There were no clear signs that the fighting would end soon. The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump approved a new $151 million weapons sale to Israel after Trump reiterated that negotiations with Iran would only happen if Tehran agreed to an “unconditional surrender.” Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations said the country would take all necessary actions to defend itself. Video obtained by the Associated Press showed flashes from explosions and rising smoke across western parts of Tehran as Israel confirmed it had launched a broad round of strikes. At the same time, Israel’s military said it was working to intercept a fresh wave of Iranian missiles. The conflict appeared to be expanding across the region. Early Saturday, warning sirens sounded in Bahrain after an Iranian attack targeted the island nation. Saudi Arabia reported destroying drones headed toward its Shaybah oil field and intercepting a ballistic missile aimed at Prince Sultan Air Base, where U.S. forces are stationed. Over the past week, the United States and Israel have carried out repeated strikes on Iran, targeting its military infrastructure, leadership and nuclear facilities. However, the war’s objectives have shifted over time, with some U.S. officials suggesting the possibility of overthrowing Iran’s government or encouraging new leadership within the country. Meanwhile, two U.S. officials familiar with intelligence assessments said Russia had provided Iran with information that could help it target American military assets in the region. Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Friday to offer condolences following the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, according to the Kremlin. Concerns over deadly school explosionNew evidence has also suggested that a deadly explosion at a school in the city of Minab may have been caused by U.S. airstrikes that struck a nearby facility connected to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Iranian state media reported that more than 165 people, most of them children, were killed in the blast. Iran has blamed both Israel and the United States for the incident, although neither country has confirmed responsibility. U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the matter was under investigation. Global economic concerns growSaad al-Kaabi warned that the war could have severe economic consequences worldwide. In an interview with the Financial Times, he said the conflict could disrupt Gulf energy exports and push oil prices to as high as $150 per barrel. Benchmark U.S. crude already climbed above $90 on Friday, the highest level in more than two years. Possible Russian involvementOfficials also said Russia had supplied Iran with intelligence that might help it target American ships, aircraft and other assets in the region. Although there is no indication Moscow is directing how the information should be used, it may represent the first sign of Russia becoming involved in the conflict. Trump outlines conditions for Iran’s futureIn a social media message, Trump stated that the only possible agreement with Iran would require unconditional surrender. He added that once Iran chooses “acceptable” leadership, the United States and its allies could help rebuild the country and strengthen its economy. The comments have raised questions about the ultimate goal of the war. According to officials, the conflict has already killed at least 1,230 people in Iran, more than 200 in Lebanon and about a dozen in Israel. Six U.S. troops have also died. President Pezeshkian said on social media that several countries had begun mediation efforts, though he did not provide details. Trump has also suggested he should play a role in choosing a successor to Khamenei. He dismissed Khamenei’s son, Mojtaba Khamenei, who is considered a leading candidate to replace his father, calling him politically weak. Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations, Amir Saeid Iravani, condemned Trump’s remarks and insisted that Iran would never allow foreign powers to interfere in its internal affairs. Iranian state television reported that officials had begun discussions about convening the Assembly of Experts, the body responsible for selecting the country’s next supreme leader. Warning of more intense bombingU.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in a television interview that the most extensive bombing campaign of the war may still lie ahead. Israel also said it had heavily targeted an underground bunker believed to have been prepared for Iranian leadership during the conflict. Fighting spreads into LebanonIn eastern Lebanon, the state news agency reported that local fighters clashed with Israeli troops who landed near the town of Nabi Chit, an area known as a stronghold of Hezbollah. There were no immediate reports of casualties. Israel has also conducted multiple airstrikes on the southern suburbs of Beirut, where Hezbollah has a significant presence but which is also home to large civilian populations. Lebanon’s Health Ministry reported that Israeli strikes since Monday have killed 217 people and injured 798 others. Heavy traffic clogged the streets of Beirut as residents tried to flee, while smoke rose from the southern districts of the city. Two hospitals evacuated their patients and staff amid the attacks. One displaced resident, Jihan Shehadeh, said many families were forced to sleep in their cars because they had nowhere else to go.  

Iranian officials say an elementary school in the capital, Tehran, was hit during attacks carried out by the United States and Israel. Esmaeil Baghaei, spokesperson for Iran’s foreign ministry, posted a video on the social platform X on Friday that he said showed the damage to Shahid Hamedani School, located near Niloufar Square in Tehran. The video appeared to display the school before and after the strike, though Baghaei did not provide details about casualties or the exact circumstances of the attack. If confirmed, it would mark the fourth school in Iran struck since the war began. The first reported case occurred when the Shajareh Tayyebeh girls’ school in the southern city of Minab was hit on the opening day of U.S. and Israeli strikes. According to United Nations experts, that attack killed 160 children and five staff members. Some Israeli-linked online accounts claimed the school was part of a facility associated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. However, an investigation by Al Jazeera using satellite imagery and other records found the school had been clearly separate from a nearby military compound for at least a decade. The analysis also suggested that the strike pattern raised serious questions about the intelligence used in the attack and whether the school might have been intentionally targeted. Amid growing scrutiny, the United States said its military was examining the incident. According to Reuters, two U.S. officials said investigators believe American forces may have carried out the strike, though no final determination has been made. Volker Turk urged Washington to quickly conduct a transparent investigation. Speaking in Geneva, he said the United Nations had requested a prompt, impartial inquiry and stressed the importance of accountability and compensation for victims. Additional attacks on schools were reported earlier in the week. Iranian state media said missiles fired by U.S. and Israeli forces struck two schools in the town of Parand on Thursday. Photos released by the Fars News Agency showed damaged classrooms and debris, while nearby residential buildings were also reportedly affected. The children’s agency UNICEF said Friday that at least 181 children were among more than 1,300 people killed in the strikes across Iran so far. Under international law, intentionally targeting a school would constitute a war crime. If U.S. involvement in such an attack were confirmed, it could become one of the most serious cases of civilian casualties linked to U.S. military actions in the Middle East in decades. Source AL Jazeera

US President Donald Trump said Friday that he would only consider an agreement with Iran if the country agreed to an “unconditional surrender.” His statement came as Washington warned that a massive bombing campaign could soon escalate the weeklong conflict. Meanwhile, Israel announced that it had launched a large wave of airstrikes on the Iranian capital, Tehran, early Saturday. Footage captured by the Associated Press showed powerful explosions and thick clouds of smoke rising over western areas of the city. As Israeli fighter jets struck both Tehran and the Lebanese capital Beirut, Iran responded with additional missile attacks targeting Israel and countries in the Gulf region. Late-night explosions echoed across Jerusalem as Israel’s defense systems attempted to intercept missiles fired from Iran. Over the past week, U.S. and Israeli forces have launched numerous strikes on Iran aimed at weakening its military strength, leadership structure and nuclear facilities. However, the long-term objectives of the war have appeared to shift, with U.S. officials sometimes suggesting that the conflict could even lead to the fall of Iran’s current government or the rise of new leadership. At the same time, two officials familiar with U.S. intelligence said Russia had shared information with Iran that could potentially help Tehran target American military assets in the region. Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke by phone with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Friday, offering condolences following the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, according to the Kremlin. Additional reports suggested that a deadly explosion at a school in Iran, which killed many students, may have been caused by U.S. airstrikes that also targeted a nearby facility linked to the country’s Revolutionary Guard. Meanwhile, Saad al-Kaabi warned that the war could severely damage the global economy. In an interview with the Financial Times, he said the conflict might disrupt Gulf energy exports and potentially drive oil prices as high as $150 per barrel. Benchmark U.S. crude already climbed above $90 on Friday for the first time in more than two years. Russia’s alleged involvementU.S. intelligence officials said Russia had provided Iran with information that could assist it in targeting American warships, aircraft and other military assets in the region. However, the officials stressed that there is no evidence Russia has directed Iran on how to use the information. If confirmed, it would mark Moscow’s first clear sign of involvement in the conflict. Trump outlines postwar visionIn a social media message, Trump stated that there would be no negotiations with Iran unless it first surrendered unconditionally. He added that once Iran selects “acceptable” new leadership, the United States and its allies would help rebuild the country and strengthen its economy. The remarks raised questions about the ultimate goal of the conflict. According to officials in Iran, Lebanon and Israel, the war has already caused significant casualties — at least 1,230 deaths in Iran, more than 200 in Lebanon and about a dozen in Israel. Six U.S. service members have also been killed. President Pezeshkian said on social media that several countries had begun efforts to mediate the conflict, though he did not name them. Trump has also suggested he should play a role in selecting Iran’s next leader following the death of Khamenei. He dismissed Khamenei’s son, Mojtaba Khamenei, who is seen as a possible successor, describing him as politically weak. Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations, Amir Saeid Iravani, strongly criticized Trump’s comments, insisting that Iran would never allow foreign interference in its internal political affairs. Iranian state media reported that officials had begun discussions about convening the country’s Assembly of Experts, the body responsible for appointing the next supreme leader. Intensifying attacks and retaliationIsrael’s military said it had begun a “large-scale” bombing campaign in Tehran. Over the past week, it has targeted underground bunkers believed to have been prepared for Iranian leaders during wartime. Residents reported powerful explosions shaking homes and sending smoke into the sky. Other blasts were reported near the Iranian city of Kermanshah, which hosts several missile bases. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in a television interview that the war’s most intense bombing operations had not yet occurred. In Israel, explosions were heard across Tel Aviv as Iranian missiles approached and air defense systems attempted to intercept them. Israel’s military also reported that five soldiers were injured during clashes with Hezbollah. The conflict continued to widen. Early Saturday, warning sirens sounded in Bahrain after Iran launched an attack targeting the island nation. Investigations also suggested that a deadly Feb. 28 explosion at a school in the Iranian city of Minab may have been caused by U.S. airstrikes hitting a nearby military facility. Iranian media said more than 165 people — most of them children — were killed in the blast. Iran has blamed both Israel and the United States for the incident, though neither country has accepted responsibility. U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said earlier that the United States was investigating the matter. Escalation in LebanonIsrael has also carried out repeated airstrikes on southern neighborhoods of Beirut, areas where Hezbollah has a strong presence but also where large numbers of civilians live. According to Lebanon’s Health Ministry, Israeli attacks since Monday have killed 217 people and wounded nearly 800 others. Heavy traffic filled Beirut’s roads as residents tried to flee while smoke rose over the city’s southern districts. Two hospitals evacuated their patients and staff. One displaced resident, Jihan Shehadeh, said thousands of people had nowhere safe to stay and were forced to sleep in their cars overnight. Lebanon’s National News Agency reported that one Israeli strike landed near the Iranian Embassy in Beirut, though Israel’s military did not immediately comment. Meanwhile, Hezbollah’s leadership urged its fighters to continue resisting and defend the country, framing the conflict in religious terms and calling on them to intensify their attacks.

Azerbaijan has pulled its diplomatic staff from Iran following an alleged drone strike on its Nakhchivan exclave, heightening regional tensions as the Middle East conflict spreads north. The drones reportedly targeted the airport, a school, and other locations, causing civilian injuries. One drone was shot down by Azerbaijani forces. President Ilham Aliyev condemned the attacks as an “act of terror” and demanded an explanation and apology from Tehran. Aliyev announced the withdrawal of staff from Azerbaijan’s embassy in Tehran and its consulate in Tabriz “for their own safety,” and declared that the military has been placed on maximum combat readiness. The president also referenced Iran’s ethnic Azerbaijani population, signalling concerns over regional stability. Iran has denied responsibility for the strikes, suggesting the attacks may have been an Israeli false-flag operation. Analysts note that Nakhchivan’s strategic location bordering Iran, Turkey, and Armenia makes it particularly vulnerable during regional conflicts. The escalation comes amid rising mistrust between Baku and Tehran, fueled by Azerbaijan’s defense partnerships with Israel, historic tensions over Armenia, and Iran’s domestic treatment of its ethnic Azerbaijani minority. Azerbaijan has also highlighted that its close ties with Israel include intelligence and energy cooperation, further straining relations with Tehran. Despite the attack, Aliyev stressed that Azerbaijan “will not participate” in military operations against Iran, while warning that threats to its territory could have broader regional consequences. The incident underscores the widening impact of the Middle East war and its potential to destabilise neighbouring countries and energy routes.   With inputs froom BBC

British police have arrested four men on suspicion of assisting Iran’s intelligence service as part of a counter-terrorism investigation, authorities said. The Metropolitan Police said one Iranian national and three dual British-Iranian nationals were detained in connection with suspected surveillance of locations and individuals linked to Jewish communities in London. Commander Helen Flanagan, head of Counter Terrorism Policing London, said the arrests were part of a long-running investigation aimed at disrupting suspected hostile activities. She urged the public, particularly members of the Jewish community, to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to police. According to police, a 40-year-old and a 55-year-old were arrested at addresses in Barnet, a 52-year-old in Watford and a 22-year-old in Harrow. Searches are continuing in Watford, Barnet and an address in Wembley. The four men were detained under the National Security Act, introduced in 2023 to strengthen laws against espionage and foreign interference. In a separate development, six other men aged 20 to 49 were arrested at the same location in Harrow on suspicion of assisting an offender. All 10 suspects are currently in police custody. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said Britain’s police and security services would take strong action against any threat to the country. Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy said Iran remains a major state sponsor of terrorism and warned that its activities could also affect British society. He praised intelligence agencies and counter-terrorism police for preventing potential threats. The Community Security Trust, a charity that works to protect the Jewish community in Britain, thanked police and said security measures across Jewish institutions remain strong.   With inputs from BBC

Several Gulf allies have expressed frustration with the United States over the ongoing conflict with Iran, saying they were not given enough warning before attacks that triggered retaliatory strikes across the region. Officials from two Gulf countries said their governments were disappointed that Washington did not inform them in advance about the Feb 28 strikes on Iran carried out by the US and Israel. They also said their earlier warnings that the conflict could destabilise the entire region were ignored. According to the officials, the Iranian retaliation with drones and missiles has left Gulf countries exposed and struggling to defend themselves. One official said many in the region believe the US military has focused mainly on protecting Israel and American troops, while Gulf states were left to defend their own territories. He added that interceptor missile stocks in his country were running low. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity as the matter involves sensitive diplomatic discussions. Public responses from governments of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have remained limited, though some public figures close to those governments have criticised Washington’s approach. Former Saudi intelligence chief Prince Turki al-Faisal told CNN that the conflict appeared to be driven largely by Israel, suggesting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu persuaded US President Donald Trump to support the war. The conflict has widened across the Gulf region, which lies within range of Iran’s short-range missiles and hosts major oil facilities, tourist centres and US military bases. According to an Associated Press tally based on official statements, Iran has fired at least 380 missiles and more than 1,480 drones targeting five Arab Gulf countries since the start of the war. Local officials say at least 13 people have been killed. Six US soldiers were also killed in Kuwait on Sunday when an Iranian drone struck an operations centre at a civilian port. US defence officials have acknowledged difficulties in intercepting large numbers of Iranian drones, particularly the Shahed models, during briefings with lawmakers this week. Analysts say Washington may have underestimated the risks faced by Gulf allies, believing Iran would mainly target US forces and Israel. Experts also warn that Gulf countries are concerned about the economic damage and instability caused by the war, as well as uncertainty over how long the conflict could continue.

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