United News of Bangladesh

The White House said Thursday night that Vice President JD Vance was delaying a trip to Switzerland to lead a new round of negotiations with Iran over its nuclear program — raising questions about what’s next for the tentative agreement to end the war. It said the team lead by Vance had been ready to leave but was postponing, citing difficult logistics for negotiations. The announcement followed a report from Al-Mayadeen, a pan-Arab satellite channel that is politically allied with the Iranian-backed Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, that Iran was delaying sending its delegation to Switzerland over Israel’s ongoing military campaign in Lebanon. The postponement came after the U.S. said it had lifted its blockade, allowing oil tankers to begin freely moving through the Strait of Hormuz after months of being unable to use the critical channel. But the initial agreement has drawn sharp criticism from some in the U.S. — including a few congressional Republicans — who worry Washington ceded too much to Iran with relief from sanctions and a potential $300 billion fund to help with rebuilding. Earlier, Vance took the relatively unusual step of appearing at the White House to defend the deal, arguing that while it offers concessions, Iran first has to comply with U.S. demands. “As they dial up their good behavior, we can dial up the economic relief,” Vance said. “If they dial down their good behavior, we can turn it off.” The vice president had said during those remarks that he was not sure of the timing of the planned trip to Switzerland, and the postponement makes that even less clear. A top Trump administration envoy told U.S. lawmakers in a private briefing that Iran will invite the U.N.’s nuclear watchdog agency to inspect its nuclear sites. And Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei had seemed to endorse direct negotiations for his officials. “It is obvious that the face-to-face negotiations that will be held in the future will not mean accepting the enemy’s opinion,” he said in a statement read by state media. It was Khamenei’s first reaction to the agreement, and it was interpreted as a shift in Iran’s approach. Hard-liners, especially Khamenei’s father, the previous supreme leader, have long opposed direct talks, especially after the U.S. pulled out of the 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and world powers. The supreme leader has not been seen in public since he was wounded in a strike at the start of the war. Lawmakers told Iran will invite UN inspectors to its nuclear sites The agreement states that Iran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium must at minimum be diluted under international supervision. It also says that Iran shall not procure or develop nuclear weapons — a commitment it has made previously. Trump envoy Steve Witkoff told members of Congress that Iran will invite the International Atomic Energy Agency to inspect its nuclear sites and begin work on identifying and uncovering the locations of Tehran’s enriched material, which is believed to be buried under rubble. Witkoff’s private briefing was described by two people familiar with the conversation who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity to share the closed-door details. The agreement requires Iran to “commit to renounce their nuclear ambitions in writing,” said White House spokeswoman Olivia Wales. The IAEA did not respond to a request for comment. Witkoff told congressional leadership and members of national security-related committees that the agreement that the U.S. struck with Iran did not include any side deals, but a side letter was drafted between Tehran and the IAEA extending the invitation. Witkoff said the letter to IAEA Director-General Rafael Mariano Grossi would enable him to bring U.S. nuclear inspectors to Tehran. Vance defends U.S.-Iran deal and has sharp words for Israel Earlier, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif postponed a planned visit to Switzerland, where Islamabad officials had originally planned to host a ceremonial signing ceremony for the agreement. That visit was postponed because the agreement had already been signed by both Iran and the U.S., said two senior officials who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter. President Donald Trump signed the initial pact with Iran on Wednesday while dining with French President Emmanuel Macron at the Palace of Versailles. The deal is slated to take immediate effect and extends a ceasefire while giving each side 60 days to hammer out broader agreements on larger issues. Vance, who was initially personally skeptical of the U.S. going to war with Iran, has increasingly become the administration’s face of the conflict and has been outspoken in defending the deal. At the White House on Thursday, he shrugged off criticism about the confusing rollout of the initial deal, saying, “I don’t think our public messaging has been chaotic.” He also offered a blunt warning to Israel, which has pushed the U.S. to take a harder stance against Iran and launched attacks on the Iranian-backed Hezbollah militia in Lebanon throughout the war, including just before the deal extending the ceasefire was reached. Those attacks complicated the peace efforts with Iran. Trump “is the only head of state in the entire world who is sympathetic to the nation of Israel at this moment in time,” Vance said. “And he happens to be the head of state of the world’s superpower.” Shipping starts to pick up Trump said he signed the agreement to avoid “economic catastrophe” in the U.S., after the war caused oil prices to skyrocket, made financial markets skittish and fueled inflation. The deal caused gas prices to fall and stock markets to rise — though rallies could be threatened again depending on how the next round of U.S.-Iran talks go. The vice president said more than 12.5 million barrels of oil went through the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday night and said that the U.S. easing its blockade of Iran means “honoring our end of the early part of the agreement on the military side.” U.S. Central Command said American warships “will remain in the general area to make sure that all aspects of the agreement are adhered to, obeyed and in full force and effect.” Iranian state media said shipping had “normalized” at Iran’s southern ports but added that the strait remains supervised and under the control of the Iranian military, and transiting through the vital waterway still requires coordination. Major shipowners began moving vessels through the strait after the agreement was signed, according to maritime data company Lloyd’s List Intelligence, though Lloyd’s did not give data on how many ships have passed through the strait as of Thursday. In a media briefing, Richard Meade, editor-in-chief of Lloyd’s List, said for the first time in 110 days, ships owned by major companies are transiting the strait after effectively being marooned there since February. months to fully reopen the strait, and the two alternative routes do not have as much capacity as the strait’s central passage.

Sergey Lavrov, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, will take part in country’s premier global politics and the world economy international forum "Primakov Readings" themed “A World Without Rules: A Power Game?” on June 24. This was announced by the Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova at a press briefing on Thursday. "Everyone sees how a group of countries that have imagined themselves to be the arbiters of the fate of all mankind, with passion and perseverance worthy of better cause, is literally trying to dawn the system of written and unwritten international norms and rules built over the past decade," Maria Zakharova said. The Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman also noted: "What is the current phase of this process, what the actions of the West lead to, and what the constructive agenda of the global majority can be – all these questions will be deal with by the participants of the Forum." The 12th International Scientific and Expert Forum "Primakov Readings" will take place in Moscow on June 23-24 at the Radisson Blu Leninsky Prospect Hotel. The event will bring together around 50 experts from 20 countries, including China, Iran, India, Turkey, Qatar, the USA, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, South Korea, and the CIS countries. In total, more than 400 representatives of Russian and foreign scientific and expert community, government agencies, political and business circles are expected to participate in the forum. A number of high-ranking officials will take part in the event, including Aide to the Russian president Yuri Ushakov, Deputy Speaker of the Federation Council Konstantin Kosachev, Deputy Head of the Presidential Administration of Russia, Press Secretary of the President Dmitry Peskov, and leading Russian and foreign experts in the fields of international security, world politics and global economy. The program of the two-day event includes discussions on the consequences of regional conflicts, the situation in the Middle East, global order scenarios, and barriers to global trade and investment. Experts will cover issues of Eurasian security in light of Russia’s CSTO chairmanship and competition in the sphere of artificial intelligence. The program of the Forum is centered around the discussion of the consequences of the New START Treaty termination, the risks of a further weakening of arms control, the impact of emerging military technologies on strategic stability, and the prospects for preventing conflict escalation in the context of an accelerating arms race. The organizers of the annual event are the Primakov National Research Institute of World Economy and International Relations of the Russian Academy of Sciences (IMEMO) and the Evgeny Primakov Center for International Cooperation. This year edition of the Forum is coinciding with the 70th anniversary of IMEMO.The Primakov Readings — an International Scientific and Expert Forum — is an annual gathering of leading experts in the field of international relations and world economy. First held in 2015, it was named after the renowned scholar and statesman Evgeny Maksimovich Primakov. Since its establishment, the Forum has gained recognition as a respected international platform where experts discuss the scenarios of international relations development, challenges in international security, and new models of interaction among global political actors. At the Forum, leading scientists, politicians and diplomats from around the world engage in an open dialogue about global and regional challenges and threats. Since its founding, the event has attracted many prominent scientists and experts from major international research centers and think tanks, political and public figures.The International Scientific and Expert Forum Primakov Readings opens on June 23, 2026, at 10:00. Addressing the participants will be Yuri Ushakov, Aide to the President of Russia; Konstantin Kosachev, Deputy Speaker of the Federation Council, and Alexander Dynkin, President of IMEMO, Academician.

The United States has formally lifted its naval blockade on Iranian ports as part of the interim agreement aimed at ending the war with Iran, Vice President JD Vance said Thursday, as the Pentagon confirmed the move while maintaining a military presence in the region. Speaking at a White House briefing, Vance said more than a dozen ships had been allowed to pass through the blockade and that a record volume of oil since the conflict began was now moving through the Strait of Hormuz. According to Vance, about 12.5 million barrels of oil transited the strategic waterway on Wednesday, signalling a significant resumption of maritime trade following the agreement. The development came after President Donald Trump signed an interim agreement with Iran that calls for Tehran to dilute its stockpile of highly enriched uranium and includes a waiver of US-backed sanctions, allowing Iran to resume unrestricted oil exports. Separately, US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced that the US military had officially lifted the blockade on Iranian shipping. In a statement posted on social media, CENTCOM said US Navy vessels would, however, remain in the region to ensure all terms of the agreement are fully implemented and observed. The US Navy currently has more than a dozen vessels, including two aircraft carriers, deployed in waters near Iran. Meanwhile, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced a six-month Pentagon review of American military deployments in Europe, saying the future size and role of US forces would depend on how quickly NATO allies assume greater responsibility for their own security. Hegseth also criticised European NATO members, urging them to increase their contribution to the alliance's collective defence.

U.S. gas prices fell below $4 a gallon on average Thursday, but just barely. It is the first time since March that the average cost for a regular gallon has been that low. Prices fell overnight after President Donald Trump signed an agreement with Iran that calls for Tehran to dilute its stockpile of highly enriched uranium and waives U.S.-backed sanctions on the country. Gas prices are at $3.999 on average in the U.S., according to motor club AAA. The drop below $4 follows a 15% decline in the price of U.S. crude this month. But fluctuations in gas prices remain across the country. In California, gas prices are averaging $5.64 per gallon, while in South Carolina it’s $3.58 per gallon. The agreement between the U.S. and Iran calls for a permanent end to hostilities and starts a 60-day negotiating clock to reach a final deal on the future of Iran’s nuclear program, though Trump left the door open to resume attacks. It appears to offer Iran several benefits up front while extracting little in return. Oil prices fell Monday to about $80 for a barrel of U.S. benchmark crude. That compares to $67 per barrel before the war and the price of over $120 a barrel reached earlier in the conflict. Even as gas prices start to decline, it is anticipated to take weeks or months for oil to start flowing through the Strait of Hormuz again. Before the war, the strait carried a fifth of the world’s crude oil. Now, it will take time for hundreds of ships trapped in the Persian Gulf to exit through the narrow strait. And Gulf oil producers that throttled back production will need time to get the oil moving again. Analysts also say ship captains may take their time to decide if passage is safe and that the threat of attack from Iran has truly receded. In addition, refineries typically pay for crude oil a month or more in advance, so even after oil prices drop, they won’t immediately be processing cheaper products. Fighting over the Strait of Hormuz disrupted not only supplies of crude and refined fuel but also the supply chains for fertilizer, food and even footwear. Businesses expect higher costs to linger, which means their customers might need to prepare for that too.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi will attend the 16th Meeting of BRICS National Security Advisers and High Representatives on National Security in India later this month. “At the invitation of India’s National Security Adviser (NSA) Ajit Doval, Wang Yi, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs, will attend the 16th Meeting of BRICS National Security Advisers and High Representatives on National Security to be held in India from June 22 to 23,” a spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement on the social media platform X.

Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani and Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud held a telephone conversation to discuss the recently signed memorandum of understanding between the United States and Iran and its implications for the region. According to Qatar’s Foreign Ministry, the two leaders reviewed bilateral relations and exchanged views on regional developments following the signing of the agreement between Washington and Tehran. Both Qatar and Saudi Arabia, key energy producers in the Gulf, have long supported diplomatic efforts to secure a deal between Iran and the United States, seeking to prevent further instability that has disrupted the region and affected vital oil and gas exports. In a separate phone call, Sheikh Mohammed also spoke with Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty, with the US-Iran agreement featuring prominently in their discussions. The Qatari Foreign Ministry said the two ministers discussed bilateral ties as well as the latest developments related to the accord reached between Washington and Tehran. During the conversation, Sheikh Mohammed reaffirmed Qatar’s support for resolving outstanding issues through dialogue and peaceful means in accordance with international law, the ministry said. Source: Al Jazeera

Senior U.S. officials on Wednesday read the memorandum of understanding with Iran to journalists after days of secrecy over what is in the document. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity to read the deal before a formal signing ceremony set for Friday. Iranian state TV later released text that largely tracked what the U.S. put out. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, whose country has been mediating between the sides, later said the leaders of the U.S. and Iran had signed the deal and it “shall enter into force with immediate effect.” Here is what is in the deal: 1. The United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran and their allies in the current war by signing this MOU declare the immediate and permanent termination of military operations on all fronts, including in Lebanon, and undertake from now on not to initiate any war or any military operation against each other and to refrain from the threat or use of force against each other and ensuring the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Lebanon. The final deal will confirm the permanent termination of the war on all fronts including in Lebanon and other provisions of this paragraph. 2. The United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran undertake to respect each other’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and to refrain from interfering in each other’s internal affairs. 3. The United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran commit to negotiating and achieving the final deal in maximum 60 days extendable with mutual consent. 4. Immediately upon the signing of this MOU, the United States of America will begin the removal of its naval blockade and any disturbances or impediments against the Islamic Republic of Iran and will fully end the naval blockade within 30 days. During this period, the traffic of vessels will be in proportion to the numbers of prewar traffic being restored by the Islamic Republic of Iran. The United States of America further undertakes to remove its forces from the proximity of the Islamic Republic of Iran within 30 days after the final deal. 5. Upon the signing of this MOU, the Islamic Republic of Iran will make arrangements using its best efforts for the safe passage of commercial vessels with no charge for 60 days only from the Persian Gulf to the Sea of Oman and vice versa. The traffic of commercial vessels will immediately start and, considering the needs for removing the technical and military obstacles and demining by the Islamic Republic of Iran, will be instated within 30 days. The Islamic Republic of Iran will conduct dialogue with the Sultanate of Oman to define the future administration and maritime services in the Strait of Hormuz in discussion with other Persian Gulf littoral states in line with the applicable international law and the sovereign rights of coastal states of the Strait of Hormuz. 6. The United States of America undertakes with regional partners to develop a definitive mutually agreed plan with at least USD 300 billion for the reconstruction and economic development of the Islamic Republic of Iran. The mechanism for the implementation of this plan will be finalized as part of a final deal within 60 days. All required licenses, waivers and permissions needed for the relevant financial transactions will be granted by the United States of America. 7. The United States of America undertakes to terminate all types of sanctions against the Islamic Republic of Iran, including the United Nations Security Council resolutions, IAEA Board of Governors resolutions and all unilateral U.S. sanctions, primary and secondary, in an agreed upon schedule as part of the final deal. The Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States of America acknowledge the critical importance of the sanctions termination issue above mentioned and express their intentions to immediately address these issues in the negotiations in order to achieve mutual agreement on them. 8. The Islamic Republic of Iran reaffirms that it shall not procure or develop nuclear weapons. United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran have agreed to resolve the disposition of stockpile enriched material pursuant to a mechanism that will be mutually agreed upon in accordance with the schedule mentioned in Paragraph 7 with the minimum methodology to be downblending on site under the supervision of the IAEA. The two parties also agreed to discuss the issue of enrichment and other mutually agreed matters related to the Islamic Republic of Iran’s nuclear needs, based on a satisfactory framework being agreed upon in the final deal. The final deal will confirm the provisions of this paragraph. The United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran acknowledge the critical importance of the nuclear issues above mentioned and express their intention to immediately address these issues in the negotiations in order to achieve mutual agreement on them. 9. Pending the final deal, the United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran agree to maintain the status quo. The Islamic Republic will maintain the current status quo of its nuclear program and the United States of America will not impose any new sanctions and will not deploy additional forces in the region. 10. The United States of America undertakes that immediately upon the signing of this MOU and until the termination of sanctions the U.S. Department of Treasury will issue waivers for the export of Iranian crude oil, petroleum products and derivatives and all associated services including banking transactions, insurances, transportation, etc. 11. The United States of America undertakes to make fully available for use the frozen or restricted funds and assets of the Islamic Republic of Iran upon the implementation of this MOU. The United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran will mutually agree on the procedures related to the release of these funds during the negotiations. Such funds, whether retained in the original account or transferred shall be made fully usable for payment to any ultimate beneficiary designated by the Central Bank of the Islamic Republic of Iran. The United States of America undertakes to issue all necessary licenses and authorizations accordingly. 12. The United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran agree that an executive mechanism will be established to monitor the successful implementation of this MOU and the future compliance of the final deal. 13. After signing this MOU and subject to the beginning of the implementation of paragraphs 1, 4, 5, 10 and 11 of this MOU, and the continuing implementation of these measures, the United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran will start negotiations regarding the final deal exclusively on the other paragraphs. 14. The final deal will be endorsed by binding UNSC resolution.

A closely watched by-election in northwest England could have major implications for British Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s political future, as Labour candidate Andy Burnham seeks a return to Parliament amid growing discontent within the governing party. Voters in the Makerfield constituency are set to elect a new member of Parliament on Thursday, with Burnham — the current mayor of Greater Manchester and a prominent Labour figure — widely viewed as a potential challenger to Starmer’s leadership if elected. Although Starmer is not directly involved in the contest, political observers see the vote as a significant test of confidence in his leadership. Labour’s popularity has declined sharply since its landslide general election victory in July 2024, with criticism mounting over the government’s handling of economic growth, public services and the cost-of-living crisis. Burnham has campaigned on a promise to bring political change and expand his regional development model, often referred to as “Manchesterism,” across the country. He has argued that Britain has been poorly served by what he describes as London-focused politics and called for greater attention to regional development. The by-election was triggered after Labour lawmaker Josh Simons resigned, creating an opportunity for Burnham to return to Westminster. If elected, Burnham is expected to emerge as a leading contender in any future Labour leadership contest. Under Labour Party rules, a leadership challenge can be launched if a candidate secures support from at least one-fifth of Labour MPs. Growing dissatisfaction within the party has already fueled speculation about Starmer’s position, despite the prime minister insisting he has no intention of stepping down. Speaking during the Group of Seven summit in France, Starmer said he would fight any leadership challenge and emphasized that he remains committed to delivering on Labour’s electoral mandate. Some senior Labour figures have openly expressed concerns about the party’s direction. Former Health Secretary Wes Streeting, who resigned in May, recently suggested there was a lack of leadership vision within the government and indicated he could consider entering a leadership contest if one takes place. Political analysts say a strong Burnham victory would significantly increase pressure on Starmer. However, the outcome is not guaranteed. The anti-immigration Reform UK party has gained momentum in parts of northern England and is hoping to capitalize on voter concerns over immigration and economic issues. Reform candidate Rob Kenyon is seeking to challenge Labour’s long-standing dominance in Makerfield, a constituency that has elected Labour MPs for more than a century. Analysts warn that a Reform UK victory would not only deepen Labour’s political difficulties but also undermine Burnham’s credentials as a potential successor to Starmer. The result is expected early Friday and is being closely watched as an indicator of Labour’s internal dynamics and the broader political mood in Britain.

The death toll from a 6.7-magnitude earthquake that struck Indonesia's Central Sulawesi province on Tuesday has risen to three, with 17 people seriously injured, the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) said Thursday. The BNPB also said that 91 people were wounded with minor injuries, while 6,412 people were affected by the disaster. Sigi regency was the worst-hit area, with damage reported in several villages. The tectonic earthquake struck on Tuesday at 11:27 a.m. local time, with its epicenter located on land about 42 km southeast of Palu City at a depth of 10 km. The earthquake did not trigger a tsunami. The government has provided emergency supplies, including tents, food packages, mattresses and blankets, while rescue teams continue assessment and relief operations.

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday hosted leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in a bid to strengthen economic and political ties with the regional bloc. The two-day meeting is taking place in Kazan and is focused on expanding Russia’s “strategic partnership” with ASEAN members, which include Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, East Timor and Vietnam, according to Kremlin foreign policy adviser Yuri Ushakov. Ushakov said ASEAN has long maintained relations with Russia as a “dialogue partner” and has engaged in annual high-level meetings. This year’s summit marks 35 years of Russia-ASEAN relations. In a message to a business forum held alongside the summit, Putin said the gathering would help create “new opportunities” for expanding trade, investment and industrial cooperation, while also deepening business-to-business contacts. The Kremlin aide said discussions would also cover global and regional issues, as well as efforts to further develop Russia-ASEAN relations. He added that participants were expected to reaffirm support for a “just and democratic multipolar world order” based on international law and the UN Charter. Ushakov described Russia-ASEAN engagement as “fruitful, equal and constructive.” Putin is also holding bilateral meetings with several leaders attending the summit, which he is co-chairing with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., whose country currently holds the rotating ASEAN chairmanship. During a meeting with Marcos, Putin said bilateral cooperation between the two countries was based on “good traditions, mutual respect and consideration of each other’s legitimate interests.” Marcos, in turn, thanked Putin for hosting the summit in Kazan and invited him to the ASEAN summit in Manila in November. Putin also met Brunei’s Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim on the sidelines of the event. Speaking at a reception for delegation heads, Putin said Russia and ASEAN countries jointly support a “fair world order” based on sovereign equality and non-interference in internal affairs. “All our states follow their own models of development and don’t impose their views on anyone. And this is, indeed, our strength,” he said, adding that Russia was ready to deepen cooperation for the “security, well-being and prosperity” of the region. Separately, Putin held talks with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, who had also met Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov a day earlier in Moscow. Putin described Russia-Turkey relations as steadily developing and “truly friendly.” ASEAN members maintain diverse global alignments, with some closer to the United States and others heavily engaged with China and Russia. Several countries in the bloc, including the Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam, have imported Russian crude oil or shown interest in doing so amid global energy price volatility linked to the war in Iran.