United News of Bangladesh

Emmanuel Macron has urged both the United States and Iran to ease tensions following heightened concerns over the Strait of Hormuz. Speaking at a joint press conference with Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, Macron stressed the need for diplomacy to resolve the situation. “Our position remains unchanged. Issues must be resolved through dialogue. All sides need to de-escalate,” he said. The French president also noted that France was not directly targeted during recent incidents in the strategic waterway. Iran had fired what were described as warning shots at ships on Saturday, including a container vessel operated by French shipping company CMA CGM.  #From Al Jazeera

US President Donald Trump has indicated his willingness to engage in dialogue with Iran as a US delegation, led by Vice President JD Vance, is set to arrive in Islamabad for talks. According to journalist Kimberly Halkett, reporting from Islamabad, Trump made the remarks during a conversation with a reporter, which was later relayed to others present. Although Trump is not part of the travelling delegation, he said he remains open to meeting Iran’s leaders. US seizes Iranian ship Touska ahead of Pakistan talks, tensions rise Addressing questions over Iran’s possible participation amid tensions over the continued US blockade of the Strait of Hormuz and the seizure of an Iranian merchant vessel, Trump said, “I would assume at this point nobody is playing games.” His comments suggest that Washington expects Iran to take part in the upcoming talks despite the ongoing disputes. Source- Al Jazeera

The United States military seized an Iranian container vessel, Touska, near the Gulf in the early hours of Monday, sharply escalating tensions just hours before Washington is set to dispatch negotiators to Pakistan for talks aimed at ending the ongoing conflict. According to the US Central Command (CENTCOM) and former President Donald Trump, the vessel was targeted after it allegedly refused to comply with US instructions to withdraw from its intended route through the Strait of Hormuz. The US has been enforcing a naval blockade in the area since last Monday. Iran says no plans yet to attend US talks Iran condemned the incident, describing the attack and seizure as an act of “piracy,” and warned of retaliation. Within hours of the development, Tehran announced that it would not send its negotiators to Islamabad for the planned talks with the United States. The seizure of the Iranian ship is seen as a significant development with potential implications for ongoing diplomatic efforts and regional stability. Source: Al Jazeera

Houthis said they are on high alert to respond to any potential attacks against Yemen, according to a senior official. Major-General Mohammed al-Atifi, defence minister of the Houthi-led government, said the group is prepared to confront “any aggression against the Yemeni people.” In a statement, he said the latest phase of the conflict involving what he described as the “Zionist and American enemy” demonstrated unity among allied fronts and highlighted the effectiveness of military operations carried out by the so-called axis of resistance. The Houthis formally joined the US-Israel war involving Iran in late March, launching multiple long-range ballistic missile and drone attacks targeting Israel, opening a new front in the conflict. The group has vowed to continue its attacks until the war ends, using its arsenal to strike sensitive military sites and warning that operations could expand to maritime traffic in the Red Sea. Source- Al Jazeera

An Israeli soldier has been killed and nine others wounded during fighting in southern Lebanon, according to the Israeli military. The military said the soldier was killed in combat operations in the southern part of Lebanon. Among the nine injured, one is in critical condition and four others are in moderate condition, it added. The remaining four sustained minor injuries. Iran says it will not open Strait of Hormuz unless US ends port blockade Meanwhile, AFP reported that at least 15 Israeli soldiers have been killed in Lebanon over the past six weeks. Source- Al Jazeera

Iran has said it will not reopen the strategic Strait of Hormuz to full international shipping unless the United States lifts its naval blockade on Iranian ports, escalating tensions in an already volatile Middle East. Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh said no date has been set for a new round of face-to-face negotiations with Washington, criticising the US for maintaining what he described as “maximalist” demands in the ongoing standoff. On the other side, US President Donald Trump signalled no immediate shift in policy, stating that the naval blockade would remain in force until a deal is reached. He also warned that Washington would not be “blackmailed” by Tehran, underscoring the widening gap between the two sides. Bangladesh faces acute energy crunch after Hormuz closure The Strait of Hormuz, a vital global oil transit chokepoint, has long been a flashpoint in US-Iran relations, and any disruption threatens to impact global energy markets and maritime security. Meanwhile, regional tensions have further intensified. Israel has launched fresh attacks on southern Lebanon despite a ceasefire, saying it has established what it calls a “yellow line” similar to its previous operational boundaries in Gaza. French President Emmanuel Macron has blamed Hezbollah for an હુમে that killed a French peacekeeping soldier in Lebanon. However, the armed group has denied responsibility for the incident. The latest developments highlight a deepening crisis across the region, with diplomatic efforts stalled and military actions continuing on multiple fronts. For the latest casualty figures and updates, readers are advised to follow live trackers monitoring the situation across the Middle East.

Kamala Harris has said that Donald Trump was effectively “pulled into” the war by Benjamin Netanyahu. Harris accused Trump of initiating a conflict “the American people do not want” and of placing US troops at risk under the influence of the Israeli leader.The former vice president, who was defeated by Trump in the 2024 presidential election, made the comments at a Democratic Party fundraiser in Detroit on Saturday. India summons Iran envoy after tanker attackNetanyahu, however, rejected claims that he had drawn the United States into the war, saying at a news conference last month: “Does anyone really think that someone can tell President Trump what to do?”Source- Al Jazeera

Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei on Saturday said the country’s navy is ready to inflict “new bitter defeats” on the United States and Israel, according to IRNA. In a message marking Iran’s Army Day on April 18, he praised the army’s role against what he described as “enemies.” He said during the recent 40-day war, Iranian forces “courageously” defended the country alongside other armed units, exposing the “weakness and humiliation” of the United States and Israel. Khamenei added that as army drones “thunderously” struck U.S. and Israeli targets, “its brave Navy is ready to give the enemies the bitter taste of new defeats.” Iran reimposes restrictions on Strait of Hormuz amid US tensions On Feb 28, Israel and the United States carried out joint attacks on Tehran and other cities, killing then Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, senior commanders and civilians. Iran retaliated with missile and drone strikes and tightened control over the Strait of Hormuz. A two-week ceasefire was declared on April 8, followed by talks between Iranian and U.S. delegations in Islamabad. Meanwhile, Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh said no date has been set for the next round of talks, despite reported progress, adding Iran will act within international law.

Iran has reimposed restrictions in the Strait of Hormuz, backtracking on its earlier move to reopen the vital shipping lane and warning that transit would remain blocked as long as the U.S. blockade on Iranian ports continues. In a statement, the country’s joint military command said, “control of the Strait of Hormuz has returned to its previous state ... under strict management and control of the armed forces.” It also cautioned that passage through the strategic waterway would continue to be restricted while the U.S. blockade remains in place. Trump warns of renewed attacks if Iran ceasefire ends without deal The development came a day after U.S. President Donald Trump said the U.S. blockade “will remain in full force” until Tehran reaches an agreement with Washington, including on its nuclear programme.

Iran has denied assertions by Donald Trump that it has agreed to hand over its enriched uranium stockpile. Ebrahim Rezaei, spokesman for Iran’s National Security Committee, said Tehran has made no such commitment and will not allow enriched uranium to be sent to the country. Speaking to Al Jazeera’s Mubasher, he stressed that Iran “categorically rejects” any proposal to eliminate enrichment or halt its peaceful nuclear programme, describing such demands as a strategic red line. Trump has repeatedly claimed that Iran would relinquish its stockpile, writing on Friday that “the USA will get all Nuclear ‘Dust’”. Esmaeil Baghaei also dismissed those claims. In remarks to Tasnim News Agency, he said, “Enriched uranium is as sacred to us as Iranian soil and will not be transferred anywhere under any circumstances.”