United News of Bangladesh

Donald Trump has directed his administration to prepare for an extended blockade of Iran, aiming to intensify economic pressure while ceasefire conditions remain in place and diplomatic talks stay stalled, The Wall Street Journal reported Wednesday, citing U.S. officials. According to the report, Trump made the decision in recent White House meetings with senior security officials, choosing to continue restricting Iranian oil exports and shipping to and from Iranian ports. Officials said the strategy is designed to squeeze Iran’s economy and force concessions over its nuclear programme, particularly demands that Tehran suspend uranium enrichment for up to 20 years. The report said Trump views the blockade as a “high-risk bid” but considers it less risky than restarting military strikes or abandoning the confrontation altogether. He has also reportedly rejected Iran’s proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and defer nuclear negotiations, arguing it shows a lack of good faith. A White House spokesperson said the U.S. has achieved its military objectives in the conflict and now holds “maximum leverage” over Iran through the blockade, which has significantly reduced maritime activity through the key shipping route. However, the prolonged blockade has also contributed to rising global energy prices and increased political pressure domestically in the United States. The report added that the ongoing conflict has led to the lowest levels of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz since the escalation of hostilities earlier this year, with uncertainty persisting over whether the crisis will end in a negotiated settlement or continued confrontation.

The United Arab Emirates’ decision to quit OPEC and the broader OPEC+ alliance, effective May 1, marks a significant shift in global energy politics. Here’s what’s behind the move and why it matters: Why is the UAE leaving? The UAE said its decision followed a review of its energy strategy, focusing on national interests and future production capacity. Analysts say the real driver is flexibility. OPEC quotas had capped the UAE’s oil output at about 3.2 million barrels per day, despite its capacity nearing 5 million. By leaving, Abu Dhabi can boost production and better respond to market demand. The move also comes amid disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, pushing the UAE to rely more on export routes like Fujairah that are less exposed to regional tensions. Long-standing disagreements The exit reflects deeper tensions within OPEC, particularly with Saudi Arabia over production quotas. Energy experts say these disagreements have evolved from routine disputes into structural conflicts. The UAE has long sought greater autonomy over its oil policy, especially as it aims to expand output and maximize revenue. At the same time, the country is trying to accelerate economic diversification before global demand for fossil fuels declines. What impact could it have? The UAE’s departure could weaken OPEC’s influence over global oil supply, reducing its share from about 30% to roughly 26%. It may also increase market volatility. With one of the group’s key producers stepping away, coordination on output levels could become more difficult. The move comes amid ongoing geopolitical tensions involving Iran and broader regional instability, further complicating supply dynamics. Experts say the decision signals a broader shift: the era of tightly coordinated Gulf oil policy may be fading, with countries prioritising national strategies over collective action. Bottom line The UAE’s exit is less about a sudden break and more about long-building pressure—balancing production ambitions, regional tensions, and long-term economic transformation. Its ripple effects could reshape how global oil markets are managed in the years ahead.

U.S. President Donald Trump claimed Tuesday that Iran wants the United States to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, though he did not clarify how the message was conveyed. In a social media post, Trump also alleged that Iran is in a “state of collapse,” without providing evidence or further details. Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright said it may not be necessary to remove all naval mines reportedly placed in the strait to resume maritime traffic. “You just need a pathway for ships to move in and out. I think that can happen quickly,” Wright told Bloomberg, suggesting a limited clearance operation could restore shipping. The developments come as Trump is reportedly dissatisfied with Iran’s latest proposal aimed at ending the conflict. According to U.S. media reports citing White House officials, the proposal includes reopening the Strait of Hormuz and ending the U.S. naval blockade on Iranian ports, while postponing negotiations on Tehran’s nuclear programme. Trump reiterated last week that any potential agreement would be on U.S. terms and timeline, stressing there is “no time frame” for ending the war involving the United States, Israel and Iran, and no urgency regarding the extended ceasefire or stalled negotiations.

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is set to testify before Congress on Wednesday for the first time since the Trump administration launched its war against Iran, a move strongly criticised by Democrats as an expensive conflict carried out without congressional approval. The hearing, organised by the House Armed Services Committee, will mainly focus on the administration’s proposed 2027 military budget, which seeks to raise defense spending to a record $1.5 trillion. Hegseth and Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine are expected to underline the need for increased investment in drones, missile defence systems and naval forces. However, Democratic lawmakers are expected to shift attention to the growing cost of the Iran war, the depletion of key US weapons stockpiles and reports of civilian casualties, including children killed in a school bombing. Questions may also be raised about the military’s readiness to counter Iranian drone attacks, some of which reportedly breached US defenses and caused American casualties. Although a ceasefire is now in place, the US and Israel launched the conflict on Feb 28 without formal approval from Congress. Efforts by Democrats to pass resolutions requiring President Donald Trump to halt the war until authorised by lawmakers have so far failed. Republicans, while largely backing Trump’s leadership during the conflict, have also expressed concern about its duration. They cite Iran’s nuclear ambitions and the risks of withdrawing too soon, but some within the party are looking ahead to possible votes that could test support for the president if the war continues. Tensions have also affected global energy markets. Iran’s move to shut down the Strait of Hormuz has driven up fuel prices, adding political pressure on Republicans ahead of upcoming elections. In response, the US has imposed a naval blockade on Iranian shipping and increased its military presence in the region, deploying three aircraft carriers to the Middle East for the first time in over two decades. Despite ongoing tensions, both sides remain at an impasse. Trump is unlikely to accept Tehran’s proposal to reopen the strait in exchange for ending the war, lifting the blockade and delaying nuclear negotiations. Hegseth has so far avoided direct questioning from lawmakers, though he and Caine have held televised Pentagon briefings. His appearance before Congress this week, including another session with the Senate Armed Services Committee on Thursday, is expected to be more challenging. Lawmakers are also likely to question recent leadership changes within the military. Hegseth has removed several senior officials, including Army chief Gen. Randy George, along with other top generals and defence figures. Republican Sen. Thom Tillis said the dismissals raised serious concerns, noting the importance of stability in key military positions during wartime. He admitted the developments have made him reconsider his earlier support for Hegseth. Meanwhile, Rep. Austin Scott also criticised the removal of Gen. George, calling it a reckless decision that undermined the US Army.

Israeli forces have carried out fresh air attacks in southern Lebanon, hitting several towns and causing widespread damage, according to Lebanon’s National News Agency (NNA). The agency reported that air raids targeted the town of Hanine at dawn, destroying a number of houses. The latest strikes came after overnight explosions were reported in the coastal town of Naqoura. Separate air raids and ground fire were also reported in the town of Khiam, NNA said. There were no immediate reports of casualties, while the situation in the affected areas remained tense following the repeated attacks.  #From Al Jazeera

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has said Washington’s intensified economic pressure on Tehran is likely to force Iran to scale back its oil production. Bessent said the Treasury Department has increased financial measures aimed at weakening the networks that support Iran’s economy. “The Treasury Department, through Economic Fury, has targeted Iran’s international shadow banking infrastructure, access to crypto, shadow fleet, and weapons procurement networks,” Bessent said in a post on X. He added that the steps also target funding channels for Iran-linked groups in the region as well as “independent Chinese ‘teapot’ refineries that support Iran’s oil trade”. Bessent claimed that “these actions have disrupted tens of billions of dollars in revenue that would be used to fund” the Iranian government, adding that “Tehran’s inflation has doubled and its currency has rapidly depreciated.” He also said Washington’s “maximum pressure campaign” against Iran, including a blockade on Iranian ports, was affecting the country’s oil exports. “Kharg Island, Iran’s primary oil export terminal, is soon nearing storage capacity, which will force the regime to reduce oil production,” he said. Bessent added that the situation was leading to “an additional approximately $170 million per day in lost revenue and causing permanent damage to Iran’s oil infrastructure”. #By Al Jazeera

US President Donald Trump said Britain’s King Charles III agrees with him that Iran must never be allowed to obtain a nuclear weapon. Speaking at a state dinner at the White House while hosting King Charles, Trump referred to the ongoing war involving Iran and said his administration was “doing a little Middle East work right now” and that the situation was “going very well”. “We have militarily defeated that particular opponent, and we’re never going to let that opponent ever — Charles agrees with me even more than I do — we’re never going to let that opponent have a nuclear weapon,” he added.  #From Al Jazeera

Iran has called on the United Nations Security Council to take firm action to ensure Israel abides by the ceasefire in Lebanon and halts its military operations. Iran’s ambassador to the UN, Amir Saeid Iravani, urged the council to “act decisively” to compel Israel to fully respect the truce. He also called for immediate steps to stop all attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure in Lebanon. Iravani further demanded that Israel withdraw all its forces from Lebanese territory. The Iranian envoy also condemned what he described as US and Israeli attacks on Iran, alongside Israel’s ongoing actions in Gaza, the occupied West Bank and the Syrian Golan Heights.  #From Al Jazeera

A man accused of killing two Bangladeshi graduate students at the University of South Florida will remain in custody without bond, a judge ordered Tuesday, days after a SWAT team arrested him at his parents’ home. Hisham Abugharbieh, 26, has also been barred from contacting witnesses or the victims’ family members, Hillsborough County Judge Logan Murphy said during a brief hearing in Tampa. According to court records, Abugharbieh faces two counts of first-degree murder with a weapon along with other charges. He could face the death penalty if convicted, though prosecutors have not yet said whether they will pursue capital punishment. The accused was not present at the hearing. Public defender Jennifer Spradley said earlier that her office would not comment on the case. The victims, Zamil Limon and Nahida Bristy, both 27 and doctoral students from Bangladesh, had been considering marriage, according to a relative. They went missing on April 16. Limon was last seen at the off-campus apartment he shared with Abugharbieh and another roommate. Investigators used cellphone location data and license plate reader information to trace Abugharbieh’s vehicle and Limon’s phone to a bridge where Limon’s body was recovered on Friday. Prosecutors said he had multiple stab wounds and appeared to have been bound. Authorities continued searching for Bristy, and on Sunday a body was recovered from a nearby waterway. The identity has not yet been confirmed, and autopsy reports are pending, officials said. When questioned days after the couple disappeared, Abugharbieh denied involvement, though detectives noted that his pinky finger was bandaged, according to a pretrial detention report.

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul has called for Iran to end its blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, warning that rising oil prices are worsening the global economic outlook. In a post on X, Wadephul said the UN Security Council “must play a role” following its high-level discussion on the escalating situation in the key shipping route. The crisis has left thousands of cargo vessels and around 20,000 seafarers stranded. He said the Security Council should “assume responsibility and pass a resolution”, adding that Germany is ready to “take on responsibility” and is seeking a seat on the UN body. The 15-member Security Council includes five permanent members with veto power — China, France, Russia, the United States and the United Kingdom — along with 10 non-permanent members elected on a rotating regional basis. #From Al Jazeera