United News of Bangladesh

The global energy crisis and the ongoing conflict in the Middle East are expected to dominate discussions as leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) gather on the Philippine island of Cebu this week. The two-day summit, scheduled for Thursday and Friday, will bring together leaders along with foreign and economic ministers from the 11-member regional bloc. According to report, ensuring energy and food supply security for ASEAN’s nearly 700 million people will be among the top priorities at the meeting. Analysts say the worsening fuel crisis is likely to test the Philippines’ leadership as ASEAN chair, requiring Manila to coordinate a regional response while also keeping attention on other unresolved regional tensions, including Myanmar’s civil war and the long-standing border dispute between Thailand and Cambodia. “Planning to cushion the economic fallout could eventually outweigh other immediate regional issues,” Don McLain Gill, a geopolitical analyst and lecturer at Manila’s De La Salle University, told media. #From Al Jazeera

Iran says it is still reviewing a US proposal aimed at ending the ongoing conflict, amid reports that Washington and Tehran may be moving closer to a broader agreement. According to a report by Axios published Wednesday, the White House believes it is nearing a 14-point memorandum of understanding with Iran that could pave the way for more detailed nuclear negotiations. However, reactions from Tehran remained mixed. A senior Iranian lawmaker dismissed the reported proposal as a “wish list,” while Foreign Ministry spokesperson Ismail Baghaei said Iran would share its response to the US proposal through Pakistani mediators after completing its review. “The American proposal is still being reviewed by Iran and after concluding, it will inform the Pakistani side of its opinion,” Baghaei told the Iranian Students' News Agency (ISNA). Pakistan’s Foreign Minister said Islamabad is trying to turn the current ceasefire into “a permanent end to this war.” US President Donald Trump said Washington had held “very good talks with Iran in the last 24 hours” and suggested a deal could soon be reached. Axios reported that the proposed agreement is contained in a one-page memo outlining 14 points, including suspension of Iran’s uranium enrichment programme, lifting of sanctions, and restoring free movement through the Strait of Hormuz. The report, citing unnamed US officials and other sources familiar with the discussions, said many provisions would depend on a final agreement being reached later. Reuters also reported that sources familiar with the mediation efforts confirmed the existence of the proposal, although its details have not been officially released. Ebrahim Rezaei, spokesperson for the Iranian Parliament’s National Security and Foreign Policy Commission, reacted strongly to the report. “The Americans will not gain anything in a war they are losing that they have not gained in face-to-face negotiations,” he wrote on X. He warned that Iran was “ready” and could deliver a “harsh and regret-inducing response” if Washington failed to make concessions. Trump also issued a warning, saying on his Truth Social platform that if Iran refused a deal, “the bombing starts” and would be carried out “at a much higher level and intensity than before.” He added that “Operation Epic Fury,” the initial US-Israeli offensive against Iran, would end if Tehran accepted the proposed terms. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio earlier said the operation had achieved its objectives and was now over. Trump again claimed Iran had agreed never to develop nuclear weapons, though Tehran has not publicly confirmed that position. Iran’s nuclear programme remains one of the central disputes between the two countries. “They want to make a deal. We've had very good talks over the last 24 hours and it's very possible that we'll make a deal,” Trump said, adding, “I think we won.” Trump also announced a pause in “Project Freedom,” an operation designed to restore shipping and oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz by escorting stranded vessels out of the Gulf. Iran has not officially commented on the pause, though the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) suggested the strait could reopen if “aggressors’ threats” end. The Strait of Hormuz, a key global shipping route through which around 20 percent of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas normally passes, has effectively remained blocked since US and Israeli attacks on Iran began in late February. Although a ceasefire announced in early April halted Iranian missile and drone attacks on Gulf states, including the UAE, shipping traffic through the strait remains limited. Meanwhile, US Central Command said Wednesday it disabled an Iranian-flagged oil tanker in the Gulf of Oman that allegedly attempted to break the blockade. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said there was “full coordination” between Israel and the US on Iran policy. “There are no surprises. We share common goals, and the most important objective is the removal of all enriched material from Iran and the dismantling of Iran's enrichment capabilities,” Netanyahu said. His comments came after Israel carried out its first strike on Beirut since an April ceasefire with Hezbollah. Netanyahu said the target was a senior Hezbollah commander allegedly responsible for attacks on Israeli settlements and soldiers. Hezbollah, backed by Iran, began launching attacks on Israel in March in response to Israeli strikes on Iran. Despite the ceasefire, both Israel and Hezbollah have continued cross-border attacks, accusing each other of violating the agreement. #From BBC

A Pakistani source involved in peace efforts told Reuters that the US and Iran are nearing a brief, one-page agreement aimed at ending the conflict. The source said, “We will close this very soon. We are getting close,” confirming an earlier Axios report. More details are expected as the situation develops. Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump has paused the military’s “Project Freedom” operation intended to secure the Strait of Hormuz, citing progress toward a broader agreement with Iran. He said the pause would last “for a short period” to assess whether a “complete and final agreement with the representatives of Iran” can be reached. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian responded that the US is applying “a policy of maximum pressure” and “expects Iran to submit to their unilateral demands”, calling that approach “impossible” for Tehran. Global oil prices fell further after Trump’s comments suggesting a potential peace deal. Brent crude dropped more than 6% to around $103 a barrel, while US crude slipped nearly 7% to about $95. Both benchmarks had already declined about 4% in the previous session. Traders are closely watching developments around the Strait of Hormuz following the pause in the “Project Freedom” operation aimed at supporting shipping through the waterway. Source: Al Jazeera

The United States and several Gulf countries have drafted a resolution at the United Nations aimed at ensuring safe shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, with a vote expected at the UN Security Council in the coming days. US Senator Marco Rubio said the proposed resolution urges Iran to stop attacking vessels, laying sea mines and imposing charges on ships for safe transit through the strategic waterway. According to Rubio, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Qatar were involved in preparing the draft. He also called on Iran to disclose the locations of sea mines in the strait and help in removing them. “The Islamic Republic of Iran continues to hold the world’s economy hostage,” Rubio said. Reports said the draft resolution was revised from an earlier version to secure the backing of Russia and China. It also includes a provision for setting up a humanitarian corridor in the strait.  #From Al Jazeera

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has rejected US demands for concessions in talks to end the ongoing conflict, warning that Iran will not bow to pressure. Responding to US calls to compromise or face possible military action, Pezeshkian said, “No one can make us surrender”, adding that followers of the Shia faith “cannot be coerced by force”. In a post on X, the Iranian president said he had spoken with Iraq’s prime minister and urged Washington to withdraw its military threats from the Middle East. Meanwhile, Iran’s Revolutionary Guard said in recent days that a new security plan for the Strait of Hormuz is intended to block the passage of weapons and supplies heading to US military bases in the region, a key issue complicating negotiations between Tehran and Washington. In a latest development, US President Donald Trump said the American operation to reopen the strait, named “Project Freedom”, has been put on hold to allow talks with Iran to move forward.  #From Al Jazeera

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