United News of Bangladesh

Stephen Miller, a White House adviser and top Trump aide, told Fox News in an interview that the US could continue its blockade of Iranian ports “indefinitely”. US and Iranian officials ended talks in Islamabad last week without reaching any agreement. President Trump has now imposed a naval blockade of Iran’s ports, aiming to choke Tehran’s economy. Miller told the US broadcaster that Trump was “a man of peace”, but added that the US has made its position clear: “America will not be bullied, and America will never, ever, be threatened by a nuclear-armed Iran. Not now. Not ever.” “A military operation could wipe out their energy infrastructure for generations. He’s made clear he doesn’t want to do that. He wants Iran to choose the right path to make a deal,” said Miller. “This embargo is squeezing the economic life out of the Iranian regime, and the United States has the capacity to continue this indefinitely, if Iran chooses the wrong path.” #From Al Jazeera

Israeli forces carried out a series of military operations across the occupied West Bank over the past 24 hours, involving raids, arrests and measures to secure access for Israeli settlers to sensitive sites, according to reports from sources on the ground. In Nablus, troops launched a large-scale operation in the eastern part of the city to facilitate the entry of settler buses to Prophet Joseph’s Tomb. Clashes erupted during the raid, with Israeli forces reportedly using live ammunition. A military checkpoint was also set up on al-Badhan Road, causing major disru1111ption to traffic. In Qalqilya, Israeli troops stormed the city following reports that an Israeli special unit had entered the area. A young Palestinian man was arrested. Forces also raided the nearby town of Ras Atiya, south of the city. In the Ramallah area, Israeli forces entered the village of Kafr Nima, located to the west. Overall, at least 25 Palestinians, including one woman, were arrested in different parts of the West Bank during the operations, according to local sources. Separately, violence by settlers was also reported. In Wadi Abbas, a young Palestinian man was injured in an alleged settler attack. Near Hebron, a Palestinian man and a boy required medical treatment after reportedly being sprayed with pepper spray by settlers. #From Al Jazeera

Israel’s top military commander Eyal Zamir has said the army has approved plans to continue its operations in both Lebanon and Iran. He said Israeli forces, alongside the United States, had carried out strikes on Iran, significantly weakening its capabilities. “We have struck Iran hard, stripped them of their defensive capabilities and weakened them,” Zamir said. He added that Israel would not allow Iran to gain any advantage regarding its nuclear programme, the Strait of Hormuz, or other key issues. “Now we must not allow them any achievements on the nuclear issue, in Hormuz and in the other matters on the table,” he said, adding that the military is capable of launching immediate and powerful strikes when needed. Referring to Lebanon, Zamir said Israeli operations in the southern part of the country are ongoing. “We are capturing and clearing key areas and removing threats from the northern settlements,” he added. Source: Al Jazeera 

Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund Kristalina Georgieva on Wednesday expressed hope that the ceasefire between the United States and Iran will pave the way for a durable peace. Speaking to reporters during the IMF–World Bank Spring Meetings in Washington, Georgieva said the discussions this week are focused on how the Fund can better support countries grappling with the energy shock triggered by the conflict. She said the IMF is particularly concerned about disruptions to global supply chains caused by the war involving Iran, according to Reuters. Georgieva noted that several Asian countries are already facing shortages of key energy and industrial inputs, including oil, gas, naphtha and helium, due to the ongoing crisis. #From Middle East Eye

The timing for a second round of talks between the United States and Iran remains unclear, amid ongoing diplomatic efforts to revive negotiations. According to circulating reports, Pakistan’s army chief is currently in Iran leading a high-level delegation to deliver a message from Washington to Tehran, signalling continued indirect engagement between the two sides. Sources said discussions are also focusing on setting a suitable timeframe to resume talks, along with addressing key issues related to a potential ceasefire. For Iran, concerns remain over the implementation of previous ceasefire arrangements, particularly in Lebanon, which it believes were not fully honoured. Another major issue is the release of Iran’s frozen assets, which officials consider a critical condition for re-entering formal negotiations. #From Al Jazeera

US President Donald Trump has claimed that China is pleased with his efforts to “permanently open” the Strait of Hormuz and that the two countries are working together on the issue. In a post on social media, Trump said China was “very happy” with the move, adding that reopening the key shipping route would benefit both Beijing and the rest of the world. “I am permanently opening the Strait of Hormuz. I am doing it for them also — and the world. This situation will never happen again,” he said. There has been no immediate response from China regarding Trump’s remarks.   #From Al Jazeera

US President Donald Trump said he has asked Chinese President Xi Jinping not to supply weapons to Iran, adding that Beijing has denied any such involvement. In an interview with Fox Business, Trump said he had written to Xi after hearing reports that China might be providing arms to Iran. “I had heard that China is giving weapons to Iran,” Trump said, adding that he sent a letter urging Xi to refrain from doing so. According to Trump, the Chinese leader responded in writing, stating that China was not supplying weapons to Iran. Meanwhile, several US media outlets have reported that American intelligence assessments suggested China was preparing to ship advanced weaponry to Iran, raising concerns in Washington. #By Al Jazeera

US naval forces have forced eight Iran-linked oil tankers to turn back since Monday, according to The Wall Street Journal (WSJ). Citing officials, WSJ reported that US forces contacted the vessels via radio after they departed from or approached Iranian ports and instructed them to reverse course, reports Al Jazeera. In each case, the tankers complied with the instructions, and no boarding operations were carried out. The developments come amid heightened tensions in the Strait of Hormuz and increased US naval activity in the region. Meanwhile, The US Central Command (CENTCOM) said the ongoing blockade on Iranian ports is being enforced against vessels of all nations entering or leaving Iran’s coastal areas. Trump rules out ceasefire extension, predicts ‘amazing two days ahead’ In a statement, CENTCOM said the operation is being carried out “impartially” and includes US Navy guided-missile destroyers as part of the assets enforcing the blockade, reports Al Jazeera. CENTCOM Commander Admiral Brad Cooper said the blockade has been “fully implemented,” claiming US forces have established maritime superiority in the region. “An estimated 90% of Iran’s economy is fuelled by international trade by sea,” he said on X, adding that US forces have “completely halted” maritime trade in and out of Iran within 36 hours.

US President Donald Trump has ruled out extending the ceasefire with Iran, suggesting that a resolution to the ongoing conflict could come within days. ABC News correspondent Jonathan Karl said Trump made the remarks during an interview, indicating he was not considering any extension of the truce, reports Al Jazeera. “I think you’re going to be watching an amazing two days ahead,” Trump was quoted as saying, adding that the situation could be resolved soon. He noted that the war “could end either way” but said he would prefer a diplomatic deal, arguing that an agreement would allow reconstruction efforts. “I think a deal is preferable because then they can rebuild,” he said, according to Karl. Trump also claimed that “the radicals” in Iran had been removed from power, adding, “They’re gone, no longer with us.”

US President Donald Trump has said the war with Iran could end soon, expressing optimism about a possible resolution. “I think it’s close to over, yeah,” Trump said in a clip of an interview aired by Fox News. “I mean I view it as very close to over.” Meanwhile, Democrats in the US Senate are planning another vote on Wednesday to limit Trump’s war powers over the conflict, reports Al Jazeera. Senator Tammy Duckworth, who introduced a War Powers Resolution, said Trump’s “war of choice” is putting American lives at risk and driving up prices at home, reports Al Jazeera. “The Senate must fulfil its constitutional duty and vote to stop it immediately, before our economy takes yet another hit and more lives are lost,” she said. Under the US Constitution, only Congress has the authority to declare war. Democrats in both the Senate and the House have repeatedly sought to pass resolutions requiring the president to obtain congressional approval before launching military action. US blockade on Iran applies to ships of all nations: CENTCOM However, those efforts have been blocked by Republicans, who hold narrow majorities in both chambers. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said Democrats would continue forcing votes on the issue weekly as long as the conflict persists.