United News of Bangladesh

Israel has issued fresh warnings of attacks on 12 towns and villages in southern Lebanon, directing residents to immediately evacuate their homes. The Israeli military said it could strike the targeted areas and ordered civilians to move at least 1,000 metres away into open spaces for their safety. The towns and villages named in the warning include al-Duwayr, Arab Salim, al-Sharqiya (Nabatieh), Jibshit, Braashit, Sarafand, Dounin, Briqa, Qaaqaiya al-Jisr, al-Qasiba (Nabatieh) and Kfar Sir. Trump warns of possible strikes on Iran if it “misbehaves” The military stated that its operations are directed against Hezbollah, amid ongoing cross-border tensions in the region. Source: Al Jazeera

US President Donald Trump has warned that military strikes on Iran could resume if Tehran “misbehaves” or engages in what he described as “something bad”. Speaking to reporters in Florida, Trump said there remains a possibility of renewed conflict, noting that “it could happen” under such circumstances, though he added, “we’ll see” for now. He claimed the United States is “doing very well” in its dealings with Iran and asserted that Tehran is seeking a deal because it has been “decimated”. Not satisfied with Iran deal, says Trump Trump also said Iran is facing internal uncertainty, claiming its leadership is unclear. He added that the country’s former leader Ali Khamenei “is gone”. Referring to a proposed 14-point plan submitted by Iran, Trump said US officials have been briefed on the concept of the deal and are awaiting the exact wording. Source: Al Jazeera

Iraq has begun exporting crude oil to Syria through the al-Yarubiyah border crossing, with a convoy of 70 tankers entering Syrian territory in the first such shipment along this route in 14 years. According to Syria’s SANA news agency, the convoy is heading to the Baniyas refinery located on Syria’s Mediterranean coast. Feras Rustum, a Syrian official stationed at the crossing, described the reopening after 14 years as a strategic step aimed at strengthening economic relations between Iraq and Syria. He said the move would improve the efficiency of commercial and energy shipments and pave the way for a long-term partnership between the two nations. Over 2,600 killed in Israeli strikes on Lebanon in two months: Ministry The development comes as Iraq looks for alternative export routes for its oil amid the continued closure of the Strait of Hormuz due to the ongoing US-Israel war on Iran. The crossing, referred to as Rabia on the Iraqi side, had been closed since the outbreak of the Syrian civil war in 2011. It was later taken over by ISIL in 2014 before being recaptured by Iraqi Kurdish forces. Source: Al Jazeera

Lebanon’s Ministry of Public Health has said that Israeli attacks across the country have killed 2,659 people and injured 8,183 over the past two months. In its latest update, the ministry said the casualties were recorded between March 2 and May 2, marking exactly two months since the escalation of Israeli strikes on Lebanese territory. It further reported that in the latest 24-hour period alone, 41 people were killed and 11 others wounded in Israeli raids. Israeli airstrikes kill 7 in southern Lebanon despite ceasefire Meanwhile, Israeli media has reported growing internal debate over Hezbollah’s use of new-generation drones, which are being described as a strategic advantage for the group. Israeli news programmes and commentators are increasingly discussing concerns that the military is becoming stuck in a war of attrition, with troops facing risks from fibre-optic drones, sniper fire and explosive devices allegedly planted in villages where Israeli forces are operating. The discussions have been described as heated, with analysts warning that Israeli forces could become vulnerable in prolonged operations. Observers also noted that the situation recalls Israel’s past 20-year occupation of Lebanon, during which significant military losses were reported. There is growing concern in Israel that the current conflict could resemble that period if forces do not withdraw or if the situation escalates further and a ceasefire is broken. Source: Al Jazeera

Iran on Saturday said it hanged two men convicted of spying for Israel. The Iranian judiciary’s news outlet, Mizanonline, identified the men as Yaghoub Karimpour and Nasser Bekrzadeh. It said they were hanged after the Supreme Court upheld death sentences. The news outlet said Karimpour was accused of sending “sensitive information” to an officer in Israel’s Mossad intelligence agency, while Bekrzadeh was alleged to have sent details about government and religious leaders as well as information about Natanz. The central Iranian city is home to a nuclear enrichment facility bombed by Israel and the U.S. last year. Iran has hanged more than a dozen people over alleged espionage and terrorist activities in recent weeks. Rights groups say Iran routinely holds closed-door trials in which defendants are unable to challenge the accusations they face.

Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon killed at least seven people and injured others on Saturday, as clashes between Israel and Hezbollah continued despite an ongoing ceasefire. The strikes came as Israel’s military issued fresh warnings, urging residents of nine villages in the south to evacuate. Fighting between Israeli forces and Hezbollah has persisted even though a ceasefire has been in place since April 17. Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency reported that a strike on a car in the village of Kfar Dajal killed two people, while another airstrike on a house in Lwaizeh left three dead. A separate attack in Shoukin also killed two people, according to the agency. Israel’s military Arabic-language spokeswoman, Ella Waweya, said in a post on X that the Israeli air force carried out about 50 airstrikes over the past 24 hours, targeting Hezbollah fighters and infrastructure. Hezbollah, in turn, said it launched a drone attack on Israeli troops gathered inside a house in the coastal village of Bayed. The latest round of fighting began on March 2, when Hezbollah fired rockets into northern Israel, two days after the United States and Israel launched a war against its main ally, Iran. Since then, Israel has conducted hundreds of airstrikes and sent ground troops into southern Lebanon, capturing dozens of border towns and villages. Amid the conflict, Lebanon and Israel have held their first direct talks in more than 30 years. The two sides have officially remained at war since Israel’s founding in 1948. A 10-day ceasefire announced in Washington took effect on April 17 and was later extended by three weeks.

Donald Trump has said the US Navy is behaving “like pirates” while describing a military operation in which a vessel was seized during the ongoing tit-for-tat blockade involving Iranian ports. Speaking at a rally in Florida on Friday, Trump outlined how US forces took control of a ship and its cargo. “We … land on top of it and we took over the ship. We took over the cargo, took over the oil. It’s a very profitable business,” Trump said. “We’re like pirates,” he added to cheers from supporters. “We’re sort of like pirates, but we’re not playing games.” His remarks come as legal experts express concern over Iran’s blockade of the strategically important Strait of Hormuz and its reported plan to impose fees on vessels passing through the route. Tehran effectively shut down the key shipping corridor, widely used for global oil and gas transport, following the outbreak of the US-Israel war on Iran on February 28.  #From Al Jazeera 

A senior Iranian Foreign Ministry official has said the “comfort, welfare, and progress of regional nations” depend on the United States leaving the Gulf. Hossein Noushabadi, director general for parliamentary affairs and law at the Iranian Foreign Ministry, told the state-linked ISNA news agency that “foreigners have always cast greedy eyes” upon the strategic maritime “asset”, which he described as “part of Iran’s identity and civilisation”. Alluding to the country’s history of “bravery and sacrifice” in expelling “Portugal, the Netherlands, and England” from the Gulf, Noushabadi pledged that Iran will now resist “the military expeditions of the world-devouring America”. #From Al Jazeera

The United States has warned global shipping companies they could face sanctions if they pay Iran for safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz. The warning, issued Friday by the U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control, adds fresh pressure to the ongoing standoff between Washington and Tehran over control of the vital waterway. Nearly one-fifth of the world’s oil and natural gas trade normally passes through the Strait of Hormuz during peacetime, making it one of the most important shipping routes globally. Tensions escalated after Iran effectively disrupted regular traffic in the strait by attacking and threatening vessels following the start of the U.S.-Israel war on February 28. Iran later began allowing some ships to pass through alternative routes closer to its coast, sometimes charging fees for safe transit. US authorities say these payments, described as a “toll” system, could expose companies to sanctions. According to OFAC, such payments may take different forms, including cash, digital assets, informal exchanges or even in-kind contributions like charitable donations or payments made through Iranian embassies. “Both U.S. and non-U.S. entities risk sanctions if they make such payments or seek guarantees from Iran for safe passage, regardless of how the payment is made,” the agency said. In response to Iran’s actions, the United States imposed its own naval blockade on April 13, preventing Iranian oil tankers from leaving the region and cutting off a key source of revenue for Tehran. US Central Command said at least 45 commercial vessels have been forced to turn back since the blockade began. Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump has rejected Iran’s latest proposal aimed at ending the conflict. “They want to make a deal, but I’m not satisfied,” Trump told reporters at the White House on Friday, criticizing what he called a lack of unity in Iran’s leadership. Iran’s state-run IRNA news agency said Tehran submitted its proposal to mediators in Pakistan on Thursday night. A fragile three-week ceasefire between the two sides appears to be holding, although both have accused each other of violations. The ongoing tensions have added strain to the global economy, pushing up prices and causing shortages of fuel and other oil-related products. Diplomatic contacts are continuing by phone after Trump cancelled a planned visit by US envoys to Pakistan. He has also suggested a new plan to reopen the crucial waterway used by Gulf countries to export oil and gas. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has been in contact with regional leaders to discuss ways to end the war and held talks Friday with European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas. Separately, Iran said Saturday it executed two men convicted of spying for Israel. The judiciary’s Mizanonline news outlet identified them as Yaghoub Karimpour and Nasser Bekrzadeh, saying the Supreme Court had upheld their death sentences. Authorities accused Karimpour of passing sensitive information to Israel’s Mossad intelligence agency, while Bekrzadeh allegedly shared details about Iranian officials and the Natanz nuclear facility, which was targeted in strikes last year. Iran has executed more than a dozen people in recent weeks over alleged espionage and terrorism charges. At the United Nations, China’s ambassador Fu Cong urged both sides to maintain the ceasefire and resume talks, calling it the most urgent priority. He said China supports mediation efforts by Pakistan and blamed the crisis on what he described as an “illegitimate war” by the United States and Israel, warning of its impact on Iran, the wider region and the global economy.

Ukrainian drones are targeting oil facilities deep inside Russia, causing large fires, smoke visible from space and pollution affecting areas along the Black Sea coast. The attacks are aimed at cutting Russia’s oil exports, a major source of funding for its ongoing war in Ukraine. However, the overall economic impact remains uncertain, as higher global oil prices linked to the Iran conflict and relaxed US sanctions have helped boost Moscow’s revenues. Even so, the strikes are bringing the effects of the war closer to ordinary Russians living far from the battlefield. In the Black Sea town of Tuapse, Ukrainian drones struck an oil refinery and export terminal four times within just over two weeks. The attacks triggered fires, forced evacuations and sent thick smoke into the sky. Tuapse lies about 450 kilometers from the front lines. After one of the strikes on April 18, local officials reported that burning oil spilled onto nearby streets, damaging vehicles. Ukraine also said it hit an oil pumping station in Russia’s Perm region, more than 1,500 kilometers from Ukraine, on consecutive days. Russian authorities confirmed drone strikes on industrial sites but gave limited details. Another major facility at Ust-Luga on the Baltic Sea, one of Russia’s largest oil and gas export hubs, was targeted three times within a week in late March. The site is over 800 kilometers from Ukraine. Following the attacks, officials near St. Petersburg described the region as a “front-line area” due to increasing aerial threats. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the strikes have caused Russia at least $7 billion in losses since the start of the year. He also cited intelligence reports indicating a drop in exports from key ports such as Ust-Luga and Primorsk. Experts say the attacks have disrupted refining operations, while sanctions continue to limit Russia’s ability to replace damaged equipment. However, Russia has also benefited from the global energy crisis. The International Energy Agency said Russian oil exports rose to 7.1 million barrels per day in March, while revenues nearly doubled to $19 billion due to higher prices. Analysts say the dramatic explosions seen in attacks may not reflect the full level of damage. Strikes on storage tanks often create large fires but cause only temporary disruption, while critical infrastructure such as pumping systems appears to be better protected. Ukraine’s ability to hit targets deep inside Russia highlights its expanding drone capabilities. Since the start of the full-scale war in 2022, Kyiv says it has significantly increased the range of its strike systems, allowing attacks from multiple directions and putting pressure on Russia’s air defenses. These operations are also exposing more Russians to the realities of the war, which the Kremlin has often portrayed as distant. The attacks have raised environmental concerns as well. Russian officials reported high levels of benzene in the air following fires and advised residents to stay indoors. Locals have reported “black rain,” with oily droplets falling from the sky. Images shared in Russian media showed animals stained with oil and marine life affected along the coastline, including birds, fish and dolphins. Environmental experts warn the damage could have lasting effects on public health and ecosystems, with oil pollution likely to return to shorelines during storms in the coming years. So far, there has been little public protest inside Russia, partly due to strict controls on dissent. But analysts say public concern could grow if the environmental and economic impact worsens.