United News of Bangladesh

Mohammad Eslami, a research fellow at Tehran University, has said the United Arab Emirates has “decided to be a kind of Israel proxy” and warned that Iranians will not accept such a position. He said the UAE is becoming increasingly isolated within the Gulf region and urged the United States to reassess its military and diplomatic strategies in the Middle East. “Right now, the Emiratis are in many different conflicts, not only with the Iranians but also with the Saudis, with Qatar and also with Oman,” he said. “The global economy is bleeding. This is a fact. So the Americans should think more about their lack of strategy regarding this war.” Eslami also said Iran is still considering diplomatic options, while rejecting any idea of surrender. “Right now, the Iranians are thinking about diplomatic solutions. It doesn’t mean that they are going to think about surrender. They are thinking about the political settlements,” he said.#From Al Jazeera

Spain has called for the “immediate release” of a Spanish activist detained in Israel after being taken from international waters off Greece last week. Saif Abu Keshek and Brazilian national Thiago Avila had their detentions extended by a court. The two were part of the Gaza-bound Global Sumud Flotilla. Israeli human rights organisation Adalah said the activists are on a hunger strike, with Tuesday marking the sixth day. On Monday, it alleged that they had been subjected to physical and psychological abuse while in detention. Lawyers for Adalah challenged Israel’s jurisdiction, arguing that the “unlawful abduction” of the two activists took place in international waters roughly 1,000 kilometres away from the country. #From Al Jazeera

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is set to travel to Beijing today for talks with his Chinese counterpart. In a brief statement, Iran’s Foreign Ministry said Araghchi will meet Wang Yi to discuss bilateral relations as well as regional and international developments. The visit comes amid a continued stalemate between the United States and Iran in negotiations aimed at ending the devastating war launched against Iran by Israel and the US on February 28. Israel warns of strikes on 12 Lebanon towns, tells residents to flee China has positioned itself as an active diplomatic player in the crisis, leveraging its longstanding policy of noninterference in internal affairs and maintaining working relations with all parties involved in the conflict. Source: Al Jazeera

The United States said its forces engaged Iranian units and sank six small boats targeting civilian shipping as it sought to reopen the Strait of Hormuz on Monday, while the United Arab Emirates reported coming under attack for the first time since a ceasefire took effect in early April. The US military said two American-flagged merchant vessels successfully transited the strait under a new initiative to restore safe passage through the key waterway. The UAE Defence Ministry said its air defences intercepted 15 missiles and four drones launched from Iran. Authorities in Fujairah reported that one drone ignited a fire at a major oil facility, injuring three Indian nationals. The British military also reported two cargo ships ablaze off the UAE coast. Iran did not clearly confirm or deny the attacks. Early Tuesday, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned on social media that both the US and the UAE should avoid being drawn back into a wider conflict. Earlier, Iranian state television quoted an unnamed official as saying Tehran had “no plan” to target the UAE or its oil facilities, blaming the incident on what it described as US military actions aimed at forcing an “illegal passage” through the strait. The Strait of Hormuz, a vital route for global energy supplies, has been effectively restricted by Iran since late February, pushing up global fuel prices and heightening economic concerns. The US-led Joint Maritime Information Center said ships were being advised to use routes through Omani waters under enhanced security arrangements. US Central Command chief Adm. Brad Cooper said American forces had cleared a safe corridor free of Iranian mines and repelled multiple threats, including cruise missiles, drones and small boat attacks on vessels under US protection. President Donald Trump said efforts to block the strait would be met with force if necessary, describing the US initiative, dubbed “Project Freedom,” as aimed at assisting stranded commercial vessels in the Gulf. The UAE condemned what it termed “renewed treacherous Iranian aggression” and called for an immediate halt to attacks. Residents received multiple missile alerts on Monday — the first since the ceasefire began — while several inbound commercial flights to the UAE were diverted midair. In neighbouring Oman, authorities reported that a residential building near the strait was struck, injuring two foreign workers and damaging vehicles. Iran has warned that all vessels transiting the strait must coordinate with its forces, cautioning that any foreign military presence, particularly that of the US, could be targeted. Meanwhile, South Korea said a fire aboard a South Korean-operated vessel in the strait had been extinguished with no casualties among the 24 crew members. Earlier reports said the Panama-flagged ship experienced an explosion and engine fire while anchored near the UAE. The UAE also accused Iran of targeting an oil tanker linked to its national energy company with drones, though no injuries were reported. The ongoing disruption has strained energy-dependent economies in Europe and Asia, driving up oil and gas prices. The US has warned shipping companies against paying transit fees to Iran and has enforced a naval blockade on Iranian ports since mid-April, turning back dozens of commercial vessels. US officials hope the pressure will push Tehran to make concessions in negotiations over its nuclear programme and other disputes. However, little progress has been reported. Iran’s latest proposal calls for lifting US sanctions, ending the naval blockade, withdrawing foreign forces from the region and halting all hostilities, including Israeli operations in Lebanon. Iranian officials say the proposal does not address nuclear issues and aims to resolve other disputes within 30 days, rather than extend the current ceasefire. Trump has expressed doubts that the proposal will lead to a breakthrough.

US President Donald Trump has warned that Iran would be “blown off the face of the Earth” if it attacks American vessels involved in “Project Freedom” in the Strait of Hormuz. In an interview with media, Trump said he believes Iran has become “much more malleable” in ongoing peace negotiations, while stressing that the United States continues to expand its military presence in the region. “We have more weapons and ammunition at a much higher grade than we had before,” Trump told Fox News correspondent Trey Yingst. Trump says US holding ‘very positive discussions’ with Iran over war He added that the US possesses advanced equipment and maintains well-stocked military bases across the world, which could be deployed if necessary. Source: Al Jazeera

US President Donald Trump has said Washington is engaged in ongoing talks with Iran that could help bring an end to the war that has destabilised the Middle East. In a post on Truth Social on Sunday, Trump indicated that the negotiations were making progress. “I am fully aware that my Representatives are having very positive discussions with the Country of Iran, and that these discussions could lead to something very positive for all,” he wrote. The remarks came after earlier statements from Iran’s Foreign Ministry, which said Tehran had submitted a 14-point proposal aimed at ending the conflict. Iranian officials also confirmed that the United States had responded through intermediaries in Pakistan, signalling that diplomatic exchanges between the two sides are continuing.  #From Middle East Eye 

Iran has clarified that its proposed 14-point plan sent to the United States is primarily aimed at ending the ongoing war, while postponing more complex and sensitive issues for later discussions. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said the proposal focuses on reaching an agreement to stop the conflict, rather than addressing all outstanding matters at once. He explained that the plan will be implemented in two phases. The first phase is to reach an agreement and fully end this war. The second phase, within 30 days, is to discuss that agreement and how it will be implemented. Baghaei also addressed the issue of guarantees, saying that Iran’s guarantees will come from its own power and leverage. He indicated that the strategic importance of the Strait of Hormuz remains a key factor in Iran’s negotiating position. He also ruled out speculation that the 30 days proposed [to reach an agreement] constitutes a deadline, saying clearly that Iran is not negotiating under pressure and not negotiating under ultimatums. The 30-day period is a sequence of phases, not a countdown. Overall, the proposal highlights Iran’s focus on ending the war first, while leaving more difficult issues to be resolved at a later stage and maintaining a position of strength in negotiations.  #From Al Jazeera

A bulk carrier near the Strait of Hormuz has reported being attacked by multiple small vessels, according to the British military’s United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) centre. The incident occurred off Sirik, Iran, on Sunday. All crew members were reported safe, while vessels transiting the area have been advised to exercise caution. Iranian authorities have maintained that they control the strategic waterway and have said ships not linked to the United States or Israel can pass through the strait if they pay a toll. Meanwhile, Iran has submitted a new proposal to the United States aimed at resolving ongoing tensions within 30 days and ending the war instead of extending the current ceasefire, according to state-linked media reports. US President Donald Trump said Saturday he was reviewing the proposal but expressed skepticism about reaching a deal. In a social media post, he said Iran had “not yet paid a big enough price” for its actions since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Iran’s 14-point proposal, presented as a response to a US nine-point plan, includes demands for lifting sanctions, ending the US naval blockade of Iranian ports, withdrawing American forces from the region, and halting all hostilities, including Israeli operations in Lebanon, according to reports by Nour News and Tasnim agencies. However, the proposal reportedly makes no reference to Iran’s nuclear programme or its stockpile of enriched uranium, a longstanding point of contention with Washington. Iran conveyed its response through Pakistan, which hosted direct talks between the two countries last month. Pakistani leaders, including the prime minister, foreign minister and army chief, have been encouraging both sides to continue negotiations, according to officials familiar with the matter. A fragile ceasefire, in place for three weeks, appears to be holding, though Trump indicated that further military action remains a possibility. Separately, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi held talks with Oman’s Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi on Sunday. Oman has previously facilitated negotiations between Tehran and Washington.

Iran’s deputy parliament speaker said on Sunday that Iran “will not back down from our position on the Strait of Hormuz, and it will not return to its prewar conditions.” Ali Nikzad, who has no decision-making power in parliament, made the comments while on a visit to port facilities on Iran’s strategic Larak Island, located close to the narrowest part of the strait. “The Strait of Hormuz belongs to the Islamic Republic of Iran,” he said, adding that the country was working to compensate businesses and property damaged during the war, and that Trump’s blockade plan was certain to fail. Nikzad reiterated Iran’s position that any ships not associated with the U.S. or Israel will be able to pass after paying a toll. The U.S. has warned shipping companies they could face sanctions for paying Iran in any form, including digital assets, to pass safely. Iran effectively closed the strait by attacking and threatening ships after the U.S. and Israel launched a war on Feb. 28. Tehran later offered some ships safe passage via routes closer to its shore, charging fees at times. The U.S. has responded with a naval blockade of Iranian ports since April 13, depriving Tehran of oil revenue it needs to shore up its ailing economy.  

Two foreign activists from a Gaza-bound humanitarian flotilla, who were taken to Israel for questioning, are expected to appear in court on Sunday, according to an Israeli rights group. The flotilla, comprising more than 50 vessels, had departed from France, Spain and Italy with the aim of breaking Israel’s blockade on Gaza Strip and delivering humanitarian supplies to the war-affected region. Israel warns of strikes on 12 Lebanon towns, tells residents to flee Israeli forces intercepted the flotilla in international waters near Greece on Thursday. Israel said around 175 activists were removed from the vessels, with two individuals taken to Israel for interrogation. The two activists - Spanish national Saif Abu Keshek and Brazilian Thiago Avilo — are scheduled to be presented before a court in Ashkelon. Miriam Azem, international advocacy coordinator at Adalah, said they had not yet been brought before the court. She made the remarks while speaking to AFP. Source: Al Jazeera