United News of Bangladesh

Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) leaders held discussions in Jeddah focusing on reopening the Strait of Hormuz and strengthening unity and coordination among member states, according to reports. Two key issues dominated the meeting agenda - efforts to reopen the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz and the development of a coordinated approach demonstrating solidarity among GCC countries. Since the war began on February 28, some GCC states have been more heavily affected than others, with the United Arab Emirates bearing the brunt of Iranian munitions. United Arab Emirates says it will leave OPEC Leaders convened in Jeddah for what was described as a brief meeting, held shortly after the UAE announced its decision to withdraw from the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC). Source: Al Jazeera

The United Arab Emirates declared Tuesday that it will leave the oil cartel OPEC effective May 1. The UAE made the declaration via its state-run WAM news agency. "This decision reflects the UAE's long-term strategic and economic vision and evolving energy profile, including accelerated investment in domestic energy production, and reinforces its commitment to a responsible, reliable, and forward-looking role in global energy markets," the UAE said. It also comes as the UAE has increasingly come into conflict with Saudi Arabia, particularly over economic issues and the war in Yemen against the Iran-backed Houthi rebels.

US President Donald Trump is reviewing a proposal from Iran aimed at ending its conflict with Israel, reopening the Strait of Hormuz and postponing nuclear negotiations until after the war. The White House said Trump met his national security advisers on Monday to assess the proposal. However, US media reports suggest he is not satisfied with the plan because it delays discussions on Iran’s nuclear programme. According to Reuters, citing a US official, Trump wants the nuclear issue to be addressed at the very beginning of any talks. CNN reported, quoting sources familiar with the matter, that he is unlikely to accept the proposal, as easing US restrictions on Iranian ports without resolving nuclear concerns could reduce Washington’s bargaining power. The proposal comes as uncertainty continues over shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a key global trade route. Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian has said Tehran will not enter negotiations while US restrictions on its ports remain in place. Washington and Tehran agreed to a temporary ceasefire on April 8 after more than a month of fighting triggered by joint US and Israeli strikes on Iran. The truce, mediated by Pakistan, is now under pressure due to disagreements over maritime access in the strait and US measures targeting Iranian ports. Ongoing tensions involving Israel and Lebanon have further complicated the situation. Meanwhile, Iran has signalled it is still open to diplomacy. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met Russian President Vladimir Putin in St Petersburg on Monday and said Tehran is considering a US request to resume talks. Araghchi welcomed high-level engagement with Russia during a period of regional instability, saying recent developments show the strength of ties between the two countries. He also expressed appreciation for Moscow’s support for diplomatic efforts. Iran has also been engaging with regional partners, including Pakistan and Oman, which has traditionally acted as a mediator. Officials say Tehran is keeping communication channels open and continues to signal readiness for dialogue. At the same time, pressure is growing internationally to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Many countries have called for urgent and unhindered access to the waterway, while UN Secretary-General António Guterres warned the situation could lead to a global food crisis. Diplomats at the UN Security Council have repeatedly urged de-escalation, highlighting disruptions caused by stranded cargo ships and thousands of maritime workers unable to pass through the strait. About 20 percent of the world’s oil and natural gas flows through the route, making the situation critical for global energy supplies. Bahrain, which requested the UN meeting with support from several affected countries, described the closure as a violation of international law and called for an end to attacks on ships. However, no action was taken, as an earlier resolution urging the reopening of the strait was blocked by China and Russia, with Moscow blaming the US and Israel for escalating the conflict. Source: Al Jazeera

The White House has confirmed that a new Iranian proposal aimed at ending the war is under discussion, while reiterating that US core conditions remain unchanged. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the proposal is being reviewed, but emphasised that Washington’s “red lines” continue to stand. The statement comes as Iran says it is considering a US request to restart negotiations, a development seen as a possible shift in diplomatic engagement, although Tehran has not yet issued a formal response. Iranian officials say the main obstacle to progress remains the nuclear dispute alongside broader security concerns. Tehran has reportedly put forward a framework in which an end to hostilities would come first, followed by security guarantees before wider negotiations begin. Iran has also raised concerns over trust, citing previous US military actions during ongoing diplomatic talks. Tehran is seeking assurances against further attacks during any negotiation process, while proposing that discussions on its nuclear programme and other issues be addressed at a later stage. In return, Iran has suggested reopening the Strait of Hormuz as part of a broader settlement. The conflict has significantly affected regional stability and global energy markets, prompting continued international calls for renewed diplomacy to prevent further escalation.

Russia has hosted Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in St. Petersburg for talks on a potential new round of negotiations with the United States, amid ongoing diplomatic efforts to ease regional tensions. Araghchi’s visit comes as Moscow seeks to position itself as a mediator between Tehran and Washington, following months of conflict and stalled talks, reports Al Jazeera. The Iranian foreign minister said he was pleased to engage with Russian officials at the “highest level” at a time when the region is experiencing “major flux.” “Recent events have evidenced the depth and strength of our strategic partnership,” Araghchi wrote on social media platform X. He added that Iran appreciates “solidarity” from Russia and welcomes its support for diplomatic efforts. According to the report, the United States has signalled readiness for a new round of discussions, although key differences remain unresolved, particularly over Iran’s nuclear programme and broader security issues. Araghchi’s meetings in Russia also come amid continued tensions surrounding the Strait of Hormuz and ongoing ceasefire uncertainties, with several international actors urging renewed negotiations to prevent further escalation. Moscow has maintained close ties with Tehran throughout the conflict and has repeatedly called for a diplomatic resolution involving all parties.

The United Kingdom does not support the US blockade of Iranian ports but backs joint efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a senior British minister has said. Stephen Doughty, the UK’s minister of state for Europe and North America, said Britain is working with the United States and other partners to ensure the safe and uninterrupted flow of maritime traffic through the strategic waterway. He accused Iran of holding “the rest of the world to ransom” by restricting access to the strait, through which around 20 percent of global crude oil shipments typically pass. “Maritime traffic must flow safely and unimpeded,” Doughty told reporters ahead of a UN Security Council meeting, stressing there should be no tolls, security risks or violations of international laws governing freedom of navigation. He underscored the importance of diplomacy, calling for de-escalation and a sustained ceasefire amid ongoing tensions in the region. Doughty also said Iran must not be allowed to block the strait, attack neighbouring Gulf countries or civilian infrastructure, or develop nuclear weapons. The remarks come as global concern grows over disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, which have triggered economic and energy security fears worldwide.

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has said the United States is pushing for negotiations after failing to achieve its objectives in the war against Iran. Speaking to a Russian state television reporter on Monday, Araghchi said that despite being a global superpower, Washington “has achieved none of their goals” in the conflict. “That’s why they ask for negotiation,” he said, adding that Tehran is now considering the possibility of talks. Araghchi made the remarks during a visit to St. Petersburg, where he held meetings with Russian President Vladimir Putin and other senior officials. Commenting on bilateral ties, the Iranian foreign minister described Iran and Russia as “strategic partners,” saying the two countries have consistently supported each other and will continue their cooperation. Meanwhile, at a UN Security Council meeting, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot criticised all sides over the ongoing crisis in the Strait of Hormuz, blaming both the United States and Israel for initiating the conflict, while also holding Iran responsible for restricting access to the vital waterway. “Straits are the arteries of the world. They are not the property of any individual,” Barrot said, stressing that such routes should remain open and free from obstruction. In a joint statement led by Bahrain, dozens of countries renewed calls for the immediate reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, warning of growing global economic and humanitarian consequences. UN Secretary-General António Guterres also urged urgent action, cautioning that continued disruption could trigger severe supply chain shocks, with impacts on fuel, food and essential goods worldwide.

Mexico’s military has captured a senior leader of the powerful Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), marking another significant setback for the criminal group just two months after its top boss was killed. Authorities said Audias Flores Silva, also known as “El Jardinero,” was arrested while hiding in a roadside ditch near El Mirador in the northwestern state of Nayarit. No casualties were reported during the operation. Flores Silva was considered a potential successor to cartel leader Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, alias “El Mencho,” who was killed in a major military operation in February. His death triggered a surge in cartel violence, including attacks on businesses, vehicle burnings and road blockades that left more than 70 people dead. Mexican officials said Flores Silva previously served as head of security for Oseguera Cervantes and played a key role in overseeing drug production and trafficking across several states, including Nayarit, Jalisco, Mexico State and Zacatecas. The United States had offered a $5 million reward for information leading to his arrest and has sought his extradition since 2021 on drug conspiracy and firearms charges. US Ambassador to Mexico Ronald Johnson welcomed the arrest, calling it an “important step” in tackling criminal networks involved in fentanyl trafficking. Security analyst David Saucedo described the capture as a “significant blow” to the cartel’s leadership, though he cautioned that such groups often adapt quickly and continue operations despite leadership losses. The CJNG remains one of the most powerful criminal organisations in the region, with operations spanning much of Mexico and extending to around 100 countries, including the United States.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said preventing Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon remains the central concern in any potential agreement, amid renewed diplomatic efforts. In a Fox News interview, Rubio responded to Iran’s latest proposal, which suggests easing restrictions on the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for lifting the US blockade and ending the war, while deferring talks on Tehran’s nuclear programme. “There’s no doubt in my mind that at some point in the future, if this radical clerical regime remains in charge in Iran, they will decide they want a nuclear weapon,” Rubio said. “That fundamental issue still has to be confronted. That still remains the core issue here,” he added. Questioned about Iran’s intentions, Rubio said Tehran is a “skilled negotiator” seeking to buy time, stressing that any agreement must ensure Iran cannot move toward developing nuclear weapons. “We can’t let them get away with it,” he said. “Any agreement must definitively prevent them from sprinting towards a nuclear weapon at any point.” Meanwhile, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent warned countries against engaging with Iranian airlines following the resumption of commercial flights. In a statement, Bessent said providing services such as jet fuel, maintenance or landing support to Iranian carriers could expose third parties to US sanctions. He also claimed that Iran’s oil industry is under increasing pressure due to the US blockade, warning that production could decline further, potentially leading to gasoline shortages. The developments come as tensions persist between Washington and Tehran despite a fragile ceasefire, with key disagreements—particularly over Iran’s nuclear programme—remaining unresolved.

Iran has offered to ease its restrictions on the Strait of Hormuz if the United States lifts its blockade and brings an end to the war, according to two regional officials familiar with the proposal. The offer, reportedly conveyed to Washington through Pakistan, would postpone discussions on Iran’s nuclear programme—an issue US officials insist must be part of any agreement. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio signalled resistance to such a deal, saying any agreement must ensure Iran cannot develop nuclear weapons. Despite a fragile ceasefire, tensions remain high over the strategically vital waterway, which handles about one-fifth of global oil and gas trade. Iran’s restrictions and the US blockade have disrupted energy supplies, pushing oil prices sharply higher and straining global markets. Brent crude prices have risen significantly since the conflict began, exceeding $108 per barrel on Monday. The proposal comes amid growing international pressure to reopen the strait. Dozens of countries, in a joint statement led by Bahrain, called for restoring access, while UN Secretary-General António Guterres warned of mounting humanitarian and economic consequences. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz criticised Washington’s handling of the conflict, while French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot urged all sides to de-escalate, stressing that key maritime routes should remain open. Meanwhile, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met Russian President Vladimir Putin in St. Petersburg, as diplomatic efforts continue to revive stalled negotiations. Pakistan and other mediators are attempting to bridge gaps between Tehran and Washington, but significant differences remain, particularly over Iran’s nuclear ambitions and the conditions for lifting the blockade. The conflict, which began on Feb. 28, has led to thousands of deaths across the region and continues to fuel instability despite ongoing ceasefire efforts.