United News of Bangladesh

US Senator Tim Kaine has expressed “serious constitutional concerns” that the White House may exceed the 60-day limit for military action in Iran without Congressional authorisation. Speaking at a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing, Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth was questioned on whether the Trump administration intends to seek formal approval from Congress for continued military operations, reports Al Jazeera. Under the US War Powers Resolution of 1973, a president can deploy military forces without Congressional approval for up to 60 days — a deadline in the ongoing Iran conflict that is set to expire on Friday. Hegseth, however, argued that the timeline may be affected by the current ceasefire. “We are in a ceasefire right now, which our understanding means the 60-day clock pauses or stops in a ceasefire,” he told the committee. Senator Kaine rejected that interpretation, saying, “I do not believe the statute would support that,” and reiterated his constitutional concerns over the administration’s legal basis for continued military action.

Mojtaba Khamenei on Thursday said Iran will protect its nuclear and missile capabilities as “national assets,” signalling a hardening stance amid tensions with the United States over the ongoing conflict and fragile ceasefire. In a written statement aired on state television, Khamenei struck a defiant tone, warning that foreign powers—particularly the US—have no place in the Persian Gulf, and declaring that a “new chapter” is unfolding in the region. His remarks come as Donald Trump pushes for a broader agreement with Tehran, while a US naval blockade continues to restrict Iran’s oil exports, intensifying economic pressure. Global energy markets have reacted sharply, with Brent crude prices surging as Iran maintains control over the Strait of Hormuz—a vital route through which a significant portion of the world’s oil and gas supplies pass. Khamenei indicated that Iran’s nuclear programme and ballistic missile capabilities are non-negotiable, describing them as integral to national sovereignty and security. He also suggested that Tehran would continue asserting control over the strategic waterway, arguing that its management would enhance regional security—claims strongly rejected by Gulf nations, who view such actions as a threat to international shipping. The developments add to mounting global concerns over energy security and the risk of further escalation in the region, even as ceasefire efforts remain in place.

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is set to face a second day of intense questioning from Democrats on Capitol Hill, as senators prepare to examine his handling of the Iran war. The hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee on Thursday will give lawmakers their first chance to directly confront or support Hegseth following a nearly six-hour session a day earlier with the House panel. During Wednesday’s hearing, Hegseth faced sharp criticism from Democrats—and some Republicans—over the financial cost of the war, casualties and the depletion of key US weapons stockpiles. At Thursday’s session, Hegseth and Joint Chiefs Chairman Dan Caine are expected to present the Trump administration’s proposed 2027 military budget, which would raise defense spending to a record $1.5 trillion. They are likely to emphasise the need for increased investment in drones, missile defence systems and naval capabilities. Lawmakers are also expected to press Hegseth on US troop deployments in Europe after Donald Trump signalled a possible reduction of American forces in Germany amid tensions with Chancellor Friedrich Merz over the Iran conflict. The developments add further political pressure as the administration navigates both the war and broader alliance dynamics.

The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries is grappling with one of the most serious crises in its 65-year history as officials gather at its headquarters in Vienna. The oil-producing bloc is dealing with several urgent challenges, including the ongoing global energy crisis and a surprise announcement by the United Arab Emirates that it plans to leave the organisation after many years of membership. However, discussions at Wednesday’s meeting focused largely on a different issue. Officials presented OPEC’s annual flagship report, now in its 61st edition. The report compiles detailed data on global oil imports and exports, reserves, and demand trends. According to the report, global oil demand increased in 2025 compared to 2024. It also showed higher oil reserves and a rise in exports, with much of the supply going to Asia, Latin America and the Middle East. The findings, however, reflect a period before the UAE’s decision to exit the group, a move that is expected to significantly affect future projections and the outlook for the next report. Reporters who visited the OPEC headquarters earlier in the day sought official comments on the UAE’s departure. A senior official from the secretary-general’s office declined to elaborate, saying they had nothing to say on the matter at this time. The lack of response has added to speculation that the organisation is operating in a state of heightened concern as it navigates the unfolding situation. #From Al Jazeera

Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump have held a phone conversation discussing issues related to Iran and Ukraine, the Kremlin has said. According to a Kremlin aide, during the call Putin put forward proposals aimed at resolving the conflict over Iran’s nuclear programme. He also suggested a temporary ceasefire in Ukraine to coincide with the upcoming anniversary of the end of World War II next month. Meanwhile, US media outlet Axios reported that Trump has rejected Iran’s peace proposal and said the US military blockade of Iranian ports will continue until Tehran agrees to a nuclear deal. Trump Declares “NO MORE MR. NICE GUY” in Sharp Warning to Iran “The blockade is somewhat more effective than the bombing. They are choking like a stuffed pig, and it is going to be worse for them. They can’t have a nuclear weapon,” Trump was quoted as saying by Axios. Iran had earlier this week reportedly proposed ending the ongoing conflict and reopening the Strait of Hormuz, while suggesting that nuclear negotiations be postponed to an unspecified future date. Source: Al Jazeera

Iran’s national currency, the rial, has fallen to a record low wednesday of 1.8 million against the US dollar as a fragile ceasefire between the United States and Israel continues to hold. The rial, which remained relatively stable in the early weeks of the conflict that began on February 28 due to limited trade and imports, started declining two days ago. Analysts warn the continued depreciation is likely to intensify inflation in Iran, where the value of the dollar heavily influences prices of imported goods, including food, medicine, electronics and raw materials. Trump Declares “NO MORE MR. NICE GUY” in Sharp Warning to Iran The currency’s slide comes as a US naval blockade during the ceasefire adds pressure on Iran’s struggling economy by restricting oil shipments, a key source of government revenue and foreign currency. Meanwhile, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Wednesday that his government is continuing efforts to ease tensions between Washington and Tehran following an initial round of direct talks held on April 11. The latest downturn follows earlier currency instability that contributed to nationwide protests in January, when the rial weakened from about 1.4 million to 1.6 million per dollar in under a week, fueling public anger over rising prices. Iran’s economy, already affected by decades of sanctions, inflation and exchange rate disparities, has seen rising prices of basic goods such as milk, yogurt, cooking oil, bread, rice, cheese and detergents over the past two weeks. The economic strain has also affected employment, with reports of layoffs including 500 workers at Pinak in Rasht and 700 at Borujerd Textile Factory after contract terminations since the start of the new Iranian calendar year in late March.

US President Donald Trump has criticized Iran over its handling of nuclear negotiations, saying the country has failed to move toward a deal. In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump wrote, “Iran can’t get their act together. They don’t know how to sign a nonnuclear deal. They better get smart soon!” The post was accompanied by an AI-generated image of Trump holding a weapon amid explosions, with the caption: “NO MORE MR. NICE GUY.” Trump plans to extend blockade on Iran: report Trump’s remarks come amid rising tensions over Tehran’s nuclear programme, which escalated ahead of the recent war. He has repeatedly vowed that Iran must be prevented from developing a nuclear weapon. Iran, however, has long maintained that its nuclear programme is peaceful in nature, although it has enriched uranium to levels close to weapons-grade.

Donald Trump has directed his administration to prepare for an extended blockade of Iran, aiming to intensify economic pressure while ceasefire conditions remain in place and diplomatic talks stay stalled, The Wall Street Journal reported Wednesday, citing U.S. officials. According to the report, Trump made the decision in recent White House meetings with senior security officials, choosing to continue restricting Iranian oil exports and shipping to and from Iranian ports. Officials said the strategy is designed to squeeze Iran’s economy and force concessions over its nuclear programme, particularly demands that Tehran suspend uranium enrichment for up to 20 years. The report said Trump views the blockade as a “high-risk bid” but considers it less risky than restarting military strikes or abandoning the confrontation altogether. He has also reportedly rejected Iran’s proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and defer nuclear negotiations, arguing it shows a lack of good faith. A White House spokesperson said the U.S. has achieved its military objectives in the conflict and now holds “maximum leverage” over Iran through the blockade, which has significantly reduced maritime activity through the key shipping route. However, the prolonged blockade has also contributed to rising global energy prices and increased political pressure domestically in the United States. The report added that the ongoing conflict has led to the lowest levels of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz since the escalation of hostilities earlier this year, with uncertainty persisting over whether the crisis will end in a negotiated settlement or continued confrontation.

The United Arab Emirates’ decision to quit OPEC and the broader OPEC+ alliance, effective May 1, marks a significant shift in global energy politics. Here’s what’s behind the move and why it matters: Why is the UAE leaving? The UAE said its decision followed a review of its energy strategy, focusing on national interests and future production capacity. Analysts say the real driver is flexibility. OPEC quotas had capped the UAE’s oil output at about 3.2 million barrels per day, despite its capacity nearing 5 million. By leaving, Abu Dhabi can boost production and better respond to market demand. The move also comes amid disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, pushing the UAE to rely more on export routes like Fujairah that are less exposed to regional tensions. Long-standing disagreements The exit reflects deeper tensions within OPEC, particularly with Saudi Arabia over production quotas. Energy experts say these disagreements have evolved from routine disputes into structural conflicts. The UAE has long sought greater autonomy over its oil policy, especially as it aims to expand output and maximize revenue. At the same time, the country is trying to accelerate economic diversification before global demand for fossil fuels declines. What impact could it have? The UAE’s departure could weaken OPEC’s influence over global oil supply, reducing its share from about 30% to roughly 26%. It may also increase market volatility. With one of the group’s key producers stepping away, coordination on output levels could become more difficult. The move comes amid ongoing geopolitical tensions involving Iran and broader regional instability, further complicating supply dynamics. Experts say the decision signals a broader shift: the era of tightly coordinated Gulf oil policy may be fading, with countries prioritising national strategies over collective action. Bottom line The UAE’s exit is less about a sudden break and more about long-building pressure—balancing production ambitions, regional tensions, and long-term economic transformation. Its ripple effects could reshape how global oil markets are managed in the years ahead.

U.S. President Donald Trump claimed Tuesday that Iran wants the United States to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, though he did not clarify how the message was conveyed. In a social media post, Trump also alleged that Iran is in a “state of collapse,” without providing evidence or further details. Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright said it may not be necessary to remove all naval mines reportedly placed in the strait to resume maritime traffic. “You just need a pathway for ships to move in and out. I think that can happen quickly,” Wright told Bloomberg, suggesting a limited clearance operation could restore shipping. The developments come as Trump is reportedly dissatisfied with Iran’s latest proposal aimed at ending the conflict. According to U.S. media reports citing White House officials, the proposal includes reopening the Strait of Hormuz and ending the U.S. naval blockade on Iranian ports, while postponing negotiations on Tehran’s nuclear programme. Trump reiterated last week that any potential agreement would be on U.S. terms and timeline, stressing there is “no time frame” for ending the war involving the United States, Israel and Iran, and no urgency regarding the extended ceasefire or stalled negotiations.