United News of Bangladesh

The United States is prepared to resume military operations if Iran refuses to agree to a deal, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said on Thursday. Speaking to reporters in Washington, DC, Hegseth warned that US forces remain on standby to restart combat if diplomatic efforts fail, reports Al Jazeera. He also claimed that the US Navy is currently controlling maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, asserting that Iran “does not have a navy any more”. Hegseth further said the United States would continue its naval blockade of Iran for “as long as it takes”, signalling no immediate plans to ease pressure on Tehran. Delivering a direct warning, he added that Washington is closely monitoring Iran’s military movements. “We are watching you,” Hegseth said, referring to Iranian activities and assets.

Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has said a ceasefire in Lebanon is just as important as one in Iran, stressing that Tehran is working to secure a permanent truce across all conflict zones. In a post on Telegram following talks related to ending the war between Iran and the United States, Ghalibaf said Iran has been striving to compel its adversaries to establish a lasting ceasefire in line with existing agreements, reports Al Jazeera. “For us, a ceasefire in Lebanon is just as important as a ceasefire in Iran,” he told Nabih Berri during a phone conversation. Ghalibaf, who led Iran’s delegation at last week’s US-Iran talks in Pakistan that ended without a deal, reiterated Tehran’s position that any ceasefire agreement must also apply to Lebanon — a stance rejected by the US and Israel. He added that Iran considers the Lebanese people as “among us” and has not forgotten them. During the call, Berri briefed Ghalibaf on the latest Israeli attacks, saying around 1.2 million people have been displaced in Lebanon. “Israel is committing crimes in our country and seeking to displace Lebanese people,” Berri was quoted as saying, adding that any communication with Israel would not serve Lebanon’s interests. The conflict expanded on March 2 after Hezbollah fired rockets at Israel, saying it was retaliating for the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and repeated Israeli violations of a November 2024 ceasefire. Since then, more than 2,000 people have been killed in Lebanon amid ongoing Israeli strikes. Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump said leaders of Israel and Lebanon were expected to hold direct talks for the first time in 34 years, although Beirut has yet to officially confirm the development.

Pakistan has said the United States and Iran are willing to resume negotiations soon, although no date has yet been finalised. In a statement, the foreign ministry also reaffirmed that Lebanon remains covered under the ongoing two-week ceasefire in the region. “Peace in Lebanon is essential for peace talks,” it said.  #From Middle East Eye

Israeli forces continued attacks in southern Lebanon on Thursday, with reports of ongoing artillery shelling and air strikes, according to local sources. Earlier, the Israeli military reportedly warned residents south of the Zahrani River in southern Lebanon to move north amid escalating tensions in the area. At the same time, Israel’s Home Front Command said air raid sirens were activated in northern regions after rocket fire was detected coming from Lebanon.  #From Middle East Eye

Anthony Albanese said his government has secured an additional 100 million litres of diesel from Brunei and South Korea to strengthen fuel security amid global supply concerns. Speaking to reporters during a visit to Malaysia, the Australian prime minister said the fuel will arrive in two separate shipments. He noted that one consignment will come from Brunei, where he had visited earlier, while the other will be supplied by South Korea. Albanese said the move is aimed at boosting Australia’s fuel reserves during ongoing global shortages and supply uncertainties. #From Al Jazeera

A second US-sanctioned supertanker has entered the Gulf through the Strait of Hormuz, according to shipping data cited by Reuters. Maritime intelligence data from LSEG and Kpler showed that the empty very large crude carrier (VLCC) RHN entered the Gulf on Wednesday. The vessel, capable of carrying up to two million barrels of oil, is currently heading to an undisclosed destination. Earlier on Wednesday, Iran’s Fars News Agency reported that an Iranian supertanker sanctioned by the United States had crossed the strait and reached the direction of Imam Khomeini port, despite what it described as a blockade. The developments come amid heightened tensions in the region following the reported US naval operation in the area. The US Central Command previously said that 10 vessels had been turned back and none had breached the blockade since the operation began on Monday.  #By Al Jazeera

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