United News of Bangladesh

Iran will not participate in the 2026 FIFA World Cup following recent U.S. and Israeli military strikes, Sports Minister Ahmad Donyamali said Wednesday, according to the German press agency dpa. The 2026 World Cup, scheduled from June 11 to July 19, will be co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada. Iran had been drawn into Group G alongside Belgium, New Zealand, and Egypt, with all group-stage matches set to take place in the United States. Iran was also absent from last week’s planning summit for World Cup participants held in Atlanta. Earlier, FIFA President Gianni Infantino said that U.S. President Donald Trump had assured Iran that its national team would be welcome to compete in the tournament.

The UN Security Council on Wednesday failed to adopt a draft resolution calling for an immediate halt to military activities and urging all parties to avoid further escalation in the Middle East. The resolution, proposed by Russia, also sought to condemn attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure. However, it did not pass after receiving four votes in favour, two against and nine abstentions. Russia, China, Pakistan and Somalia supported the proposal, while the United States and Latvia voted against it. Russia’s UN Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia expressed disappointment over the outcome, saying some council members failed to gather the “strength and wisdom” needed to support the resolution. Earlier the same day, the Security Council adopted another resolution related to the Middle East crisis, which followed the joint US-Israeli military strikes on Iran that began on Feb 28 and Tehran’s subsequent retaliatory attacks across the region. The resolution, introduced by Bahrain on behalf of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), was approved with 13 votes in favour and two abstentions. It condemns Iran’s attacks on GCC countries and Jordan, calls on Tehran to immediately stop such actions and declares them a breach of international law and a threat to international security. Reacting to the decision, Iran’s UN Ambassador Amir Saeid Iravani said the resolution was “a manifest injustice” against Iran, describing it as unlawful and inconsistent with the UN Charter and international law.

Lebanon experienced a tense night as reports emerged just before midnight of Israeli helicopters flying along the Lebanese-Syrian border, apparently attempting to land infantry forces. Hezbollah said it engaged the helicopters and ground troops using what it called “appropriate weapons.” The incident follows a similar Israeli helicopter operation two days ago near Nabi Chit in the Bekaa Valley, about 70 km from the Israeli border. Unlike routine incursions into southern Lebanon, this was a deep air operation. The Israeli military said the mission aimed to recover the remains of an airman missing in the area for more than 40 years. When troops landed, they came under fire from Hezbollah, prompting the Israeli air force to carry out dozens of strikes within minutes, killing 41 people and wounding more than 40 others. Iran war expands into civilian infrastructure with Bahrain water plant strike The purpose of Monday night’s attempted infiltration remains unclear. Meanwhile, military operations across Lebanon continue, with southern regions enduring multiple air strikes over the past 24 hours. Among them, a strike on a residential building caused multiple casualties, adding to the rising toll from the ongoing conflict.

Iranian state television early Monday announced that Mojtaba Khamenei, the son of the country’s late supreme leader, has been appointed as his successor. Mojtaba had long been viewed as a potential candidate for the position, even before his father was killed in an Israeli strike at the outset of the ongoing war. Despite his influence, he has never held an elected office or been formally appointed to a government post. As supreme leader, he will oversee key national decisions, including military strategy, with Iran’s powerful paramilitary Revolutionary Guard directly answering to him. Trump threatens ‘very hard’ strikes; Iran rejects surrender demand Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump told ABC News on Sunday that he wants a role in determining who ultimately leads Iran after the war, warning that any new leader “is not going to last long” without his approval. Separately, the U.S. military said a seventh American service member has died from injuries sustained during an Iranian attack while stationed in Saudi Arabia. The previous six casualties were Army reservists killed in a March 1 strike on a port in Kuwait. U.S. intelligence officials also believe Russia has shared information with Iran to help target American troops and assets in the Middle East. In response, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said in an interview on Sunday that military cooperation between Tehran and Moscow “is not something new.” At the same time, growing evidence indicates that a deadly explosion at an Iranian elementary school on February 28 was likely caused by a U.S. airstrike. The incident resulted in the highest reported civilian death toll since the war began, drawing strong criticism from the United Nations and human rights organisations. The United States has not accepted responsibility but said it is looking into the allegations. The conflict has continued to take a heavy toll, with at least 1,230 people reported killed in Iran, more than 300 in Lebanon and around a dozen in Israel, according to officials in those countries.

Fresh explosions lit up the skies over Tehran late Saturday as the conflict between Iran and Israel intensified, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warning that the next stage of the week-long war would bring “many surprises.” Israel’s military said it had struck fuel storage facilities in the Iranian capital. Video footage showed flames rising above the site and the night horizon glowing over Tehran. Trump says he doesn't want Kurds to be involved in war The strike appeared to mark the first time a civilian industrial facility has been targeted since the conflict began. Iranian state media blamed the attack on “the United States and the Zionist regime,” saying the facility supplies fuel to Tehran and nearby northern provinces. Meanwhile, Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon killed eight people, according to the Lebanese Health Ministry. Local media also reported that an Israeli drone hit a hotel in Beirut, leaving four dead and 10 others injured. Early Sunday, the Israeli military said it had targeted commanders linked to the Lebanese branch of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards’ Quds Force in Beirut. The deaths added to at least 47 people killed in Israeli strikes the previous day. US-Israeli strikes hit over 6,600 civilian sites: Red Crescent The conflict has also spread across the region. Drone and missile attacks in Kuwait, Iraq and Saudi Arabia caused damage and additional casualties. Earlier Saturday, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian apologized for attacks affecting “neighboring countries,” even as Iranian missiles and drones were launched toward Gulf Arab states. Hard-line leaders in Tehran insisted the country’s war strategy would remain unchanged. Differences within Iran’s leadership have also emerged. Some officials are calling for de-escalation while others are pushing for continued confrontation with the United States and Israel. The conflicting positions come from members of the leadership council that has overseen Iran since the death of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in early Israeli airstrikes. Pezeshkian rejected U.S. President Donald Trump’s demand that Tehran surrender unconditionally, saying such an expectation was unrealistic. Trump, meanwhile, warned Iran could face heavier strikes and said more locations and groups might become targets, without providing details. The escalating conflict has already shaken global markets and weakened Iran’s leadership following hundreds of Israeli and U.S. airstrikes. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump said Washington was not seeking a settlement at this stage. He described the ongoing U.S. military actions in Iran as an “excursion” and suggested issues like rising fuel prices and the safety of Americans would improve after the conflict ends. Within Iran, mixed signals have emerged over military operations. Pezeshkian said the leadership council had instructed the armed forces not to attack neighboring countries unless Iran itself is attacked, urging a diplomatic solution. However, judiciary chief Gholam Hossein Mohseni-Ejei indicated that the current strategy would continue, saying locations used by enemies to launch attacks on Iran would remain targets. Parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf also warned that as long as U.S. military bases remain in the region, neighboring countries will not experience stability. Later, Iran’s mission to the United Nations suggested — without presenting evidence — that strikes on non-military locations may have been caused by U.S. electronic defense systems intercepting incoming attacks. Senior security official Ali Larijani said Iran’s leadership remains united on the issue and confirmed that steps are being taken to convene the Assembly of Experts to choose the country’s next supreme leader.

The ongoing war in the Middle East has disrupted travel for thousands of Muslim pilgrims visiting Saudi Arabia for the Umrah pilgrimage, leaving many stranded and forcing others to cancel their planned trips. Indonesian authorities said more than 58,000 pilgrims from Indonesia are currently stuck in Saudi Arabia due to flight disruptions and security concerns. Indonesia’s Vice Minister for Hajj and Umrah Dahnil Anzar Simanjuntak said the government is negotiating with Saudi authorities and airlines to reduce the financial burden on stranded pilgrims, particularly hotel and flight costs. He also urged about 60,000 Indonesians planning to travel for Umrah to postpone their trips until April for safety reasons. Officials described the situation as an urgent humanitarian and logistical challenge as many pilgrims struggle with unexpected expenses and uncertainty about returning home. Some stranded pilgrims said the delays have caused both financial and emotional stress. Zanirah Faris, an Indonesian pilgrim whose return flight was cancelled, told local media that she had been rebooked on a flight scheduled for March 12. She urged authorities to assist pilgrims who cannot afford extended hotel stays. Indonesia, which has the world’s largest Muslim population, sends hundreds of thousands of people to Saudi Arabia each year for Umrah, especially during the holy month of Ramadan. The travel disruption has also affected pilgrims from other countries. Malaysia’s Consul General in Jeddah Mohamad Dzaraif Raja Abdul Kadir said about 1,600 Malaysian pilgrims were also stranded in Saudi Arabia. Authorities have opened a 24 hour operations centre to monitor the situation and assist affected citizens. Malaysia Airlines has temporarily resumed return flights from Jeddah and Medina until Sunday, while the country’s foreign ministry is working with diplomatic missions and airlines to evacuate stranded Malaysians. Airports in the Gulf region serve as major global transit hubs connecting travellers to Europe, Africa and Asia. As a result, the conflict has disrupted travel far beyond the Middle East. Many pilgrims described how the war has overshadowed what is normally a deeply spiritual journey. Maged Kholaif, an Egyptian pilgrim, said his flight from Saudi Arabia to Kuwait was cancelled on the day the war began. Stranded with his wife and mother in law, he eventually travelled overland to Kuwait where he reunited with his children. Others cancelled their trips entirely. Javed Khizer, a resident of Michigan in the United States, said he decided to cancel Umrah travel plans for himself and his family after watching the worsening situation in the news. Umrah, often referred to as the minor pilgrimage, can be performed at any time of the year unlike the annual Hajj. Many Muslims prefer to perform Umrah during Ramadan, a period of increased worship and fasting. Despite the tensions, some pilgrims already in Saudi Arabia say they are trying to focus on their religious rituals. Majid Mughal, a visitor from the United States travelling with his family, said they learned about the conflict while on their way to Saudi Arabia but decided to continue the journey. He said security conditions appeared normal so far, although his family continues to monitor flight updates daily as they prepare for their return home.

The United States is reviewing potential candidates who could lead Iran, the White House said, a day after President Donald Trump suggested Washington should be involved in selecting the country’s next leader. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters that US intelligence agencies and government officials were assessing possible figures who could take leadership in Iran, reports Al Jazeera. “I know there’s a number of people that our intelligence agencies and the United States government are looking at, but I won’t get any further on that,” Leavitt said. Her remarks came after Trump stated that the United States should play a role in determining Iran’s future leadership following the recent escalation of conflict in the region. Leavitt also addressed Trump’s earlier statement that there would be no deal with Iran except “unconditional surrender.” She said the president meant that Iran would effectively reach a state of unconditional surrender once it no longer posed a threat to the United States and once the objectives of the US military operation, named “Operation Epic Fury,” were fully achieved. “When the president, as commander-in-chief of the US armed forces, determines that Iran no longer poses a threat to the United States of America and the goals of Operation Epic Fury have been fully realized, Iran will essentially be in a place of unconditional surrender, whether they say it themselves or not,” Leavitt added.

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.

US Senate Republicans on Thursday rejected a war powers resolution seeking to halt the President Donald Trump administration’s military campaign against Iran, signaling early GOP support for the expanding conflict. The resolution failed on a 47-53 vote, largely along party lines. Republican Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky broke with his party to vote in favor of the measure, while Democratic Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania voted against it. The legislation aimed to require congressional approval before any further U.S. military action against Iran could proceed. Supporters argued that Congress must assert its constitutional authority over war powers, particularly as hostilities intensify across the Middle East without a clearly defined U.S. exit strategy. The vote compelled lawmakers to publicly state their position on a conflict that is increasingly shaping the fate of American service members, affecting regional stability and carrying significant global consequences. A similar resolution in the Republican-controlled House faces long odds when it comes up for a vote Thursday morning. The Senate decision reflects growing political divisions in Washington as the war widens, with critics warning of prolonged military engagement and supporters defending the administration’s actions as necessary for national security.