United News of Bangladesh

US President Donald Trump has said Washington is engaged in ongoing talks with Iran that could help bring an end to the war that has destabilised the Middle East. In a post on Truth Social on Sunday, Trump indicated that the negotiations were making progress. “I am fully aware that my Representatives are having very positive discussions with the Country of Iran, and that these discussions could lead to something very positive for all,” he wrote. The remarks came after earlier statements from Iran’s Foreign Ministry, which said Tehran had submitted a 14-point proposal aimed at ending the conflict. Iranian officials also confirmed that the United States had responded through intermediaries in Pakistan, signalling that diplomatic exchanges between the two sides are continuing.  #From Middle East Eye 

Iran has clarified that its proposed 14-point plan sent to the United States is primarily aimed at ending the ongoing war, while postponing more complex and sensitive issues for later discussions. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said the proposal focuses on reaching an agreement to stop the conflict, rather than addressing all outstanding matters at once. He explained that the plan will be implemented in two phases. The first phase is to reach an agreement and fully end this war. The second phase, within 30 days, is to discuss that agreement and how it will be implemented. Baghaei also addressed the issue of guarantees, saying that Iran’s guarantees will come from its own power and leverage. He indicated that the strategic importance of the Strait of Hormuz remains a key factor in Iran’s negotiating position. He also ruled out speculation that the 30 days proposed [to reach an agreement] constitutes a deadline, saying clearly that Iran is not negotiating under pressure and not negotiating under ultimatums. The 30-day period is a sequence of phases, not a countdown. Overall, the proposal highlights Iran’s focus on ending the war first, while leaving more difficult issues to be resolved at a later stage and maintaining a position of strength in negotiations.  #From Al Jazeera

A bulk carrier near the Strait of Hormuz has reported being attacked by multiple small vessels, according to the British military’s United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) centre. The incident occurred off Sirik, Iran, on Sunday. All crew members were reported safe, while vessels transiting the area have been advised to exercise caution. Iranian authorities have maintained that they control the strategic waterway and have said ships not linked to the United States or Israel can pass through the strait if they pay a toll. Meanwhile, Iran has submitted a new proposal to the United States aimed at resolving ongoing tensions within 30 days and ending the war instead of extending the current ceasefire, according to state-linked media reports. US President Donald Trump said Saturday he was reviewing the proposal but expressed skepticism about reaching a deal. In a social media post, he said Iran had “not yet paid a big enough price” for its actions since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Iran’s 14-point proposal, presented as a response to a US nine-point plan, includes demands for lifting sanctions, ending the US naval blockade of Iranian ports, withdrawing American forces from the region, and halting all hostilities, including Israeli operations in Lebanon, according to reports by Nour News and Tasnim agencies. However, the proposal reportedly makes no reference to Iran’s nuclear programme or its stockpile of enriched uranium, a longstanding point of contention with Washington. Iran conveyed its response through Pakistan, which hosted direct talks between the two countries last month. Pakistani leaders, including the prime minister, foreign minister and army chief, have been encouraging both sides to continue negotiations, according to officials familiar with the matter. A fragile ceasefire, in place for three weeks, appears to be holding, though Trump indicated that further military action remains a possibility. Separately, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi held talks with Oman’s Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi on Sunday. Oman has previously facilitated negotiations between Tehran and Washington.

Iran’s deputy parliament speaker said on Sunday that Iran “will not back down from our position on the Strait of Hormuz, and it will not return to its prewar conditions.” Ali Nikzad, who has no decision-making power in parliament, made the comments while on a visit to port facilities on Iran’s strategic Larak Island, located close to the narrowest part of the strait. “The Strait of Hormuz belongs to the Islamic Republic of Iran,” he said, adding that the country was working to compensate businesses and property damaged during the war, and that Trump’s blockade plan was certain to fail. Nikzad reiterated Iran’s position that any ships not associated with the U.S. or Israel will be able to pass after paying a toll. The U.S. has warned shipping companies they could face sanctions for paying Iran in any form, including digital assets, to pass safely. Iran effectively closed the strait by attacking and threatening ships after the U.S. and Israel launched a war on Feb. 28. Tehran later offered some ships safe passage via routes closer to its shore, charging fees at times. The U.S. has responded with a naval blockade of Iranian ports since April 13, depriving Tehran of oil revenue it needs to shore up its ailing economy.  

Two foreign activists from a Gaza-bound humanitarian flotilla, who were taken to Israel for questioning, are expected to appear in court on Sunday, according to an Israeli rights group. The flotilla, comprising more than 50 vessels, had departed from France, Spain and Italy with the aim of breaking Israel’s blockade on Gaza Strip and delivering humanitarian supplies to the war-affected region. Israel warns of strikes on 12 Lebanon towns, tells residents to flee Israeli forces intercepted the flotilla in international waters near Greece on Thursday. Israel said around 175 activists were removed from the vessels, with two individuals taken to Israel for interrogation. The two activists - Spanish national Saif Abu Keshek and Brazilian Thiago Avilo — are scheduled to be presented before a court in Ashkelon. Miriam Azem, international advocacy coordinator at Adalah, said they had not yet been brought before the court. She made the remarks while speaking to AFP. Source: Al Jazeera

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.