United News of Bangladesh

President Donald Trump met with senior advisers in the White House Situation Room on Friday to discuss a potential agreement with Iran aimed at extending the current ceasefire and reopening the Strait of Hormuz. However, no final decision was reached, and Iranian officials stated that the deal remains incomplete. Before the meeting, Trump said he was preparing to make a final judgment on the proposal. According to a senior administration official, the approximately two-hour discussion ended without a resolution. The official added that Trump would only approve an agreement that aligns with his key conditions, particularly those related to limiting Iran’s nuclear capabilities. The meeting followed reports from The Associated Press and other outlets indicating that U.S. and Iranian negotiators had tentatively agreed on a framework. The proposed arrangement would prolong the fragile ceasefire for another 60 days while negotiations continue over Iran’s nuclear program. Trump reiterated on social media that Iran must commit to never developing nuclear weapons. He also insisted that the Strait of Hormuz be reopened to international shipping and that all naval mines be removed from the waterway. Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf responded skeptically, stating that Iran relies on concrete actions rather than promises. He emphasized that Iran would not make concessions before the other side takes meaningful steps and suggested that military strength, not negotiations alone, secures outcomes. Nuclear Disputes Still UnsettledIranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei later confirmed that no final agreement had been reached. While U.S. Vice President JD Vance suggested negotiators were establishing broad principles for future nuclear discussions, Baghaei said Iran’s current priority remains ending hostilities rather than debating detailed nuclear arrangements. Iran also seeks provisions covering a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon and the release of billions of dollars in Iranian assets frozen abroad. Ebrahim Azizi, chairman of Iran’s parliamentary national security commission, emphasized that Tehran expects reciprocal concessions, stating that any exchange must be balanced. According to the International Atomic Energy Agency, Iran possesses approximately 440.9 kilograms (972 pounds) of uranium enriched to 60% purity, close to weapons-grade levels. Tehran continues to maintain that its nuclear activities are peaceful and has not agreed to surrender its stockpile, much of which is believed to be located at facilities heavily damaged by U.S. strikes last year. Trump renewed his demand that the enriched uranium be removed and destroyed under U.S., Iranian, and IAEA supervision. Strait of Hormuz Central to Proposed DealUnder the proposed agreement, Iran would be prohibited from charging transit fees in the Strait of Hormuz and would be required to clear all sea mines from the strategic passage within 30 days. In exchange, the United States would gradually ease restrictions on Iranian ports and relax sanctions, enabling Iran to increase oil exports. Baghaei stated that Iran and Oman, which share control over opposite sides of the strait, would manage shipping through the waterway while considering both national and international interests. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said he discussed the issue with his Omani counterpart and expressed support against external threats. Earlier in the week, Trump warned Oman against entering any arrangement with Iran that would involve shared control of the strait, threatening military action if such a deal proceeded. Iran has largely restricted access to the Strait of Hormuz since U.S. and Israeli attacks on February 28 that killed Iran’s supreme leader and several senior officials. Prior to those events, the route handled roughly one-fifth of global oil and gas shipments. The disruption has driven up fuel and commodity prices worldwide. Although Iran has recently allowed limited commercial traffic through the strait, vessel movements remain far below pre-war levels. Tehran has also imposed fees on some ships and created a new oversight body, the Persian Gulf Strait Authority, prompting additional U.S. sanctions. The authority criticized the sanctions while portraying them as evidence of its effectiveness. Despite occasional military exchanges and mutual accusations of ceasefire violations during the past seven weeks, the United States and Iran have avoided a return to full-scale conflict and have continued diplomatic negotiations.

A Russian drone involved in an overnight attack on Ukraine went off course and crashed into an apartment building in eastern Romania, injuring two people and heightening concerns about the war spreading beyond Ukraine’s borders into NATO territory. Romania’s Defense Ministry said the drone was detected and tracked by radar after entering Romanian airspace before crashing onto the roof of a residential building in the city of Galati, located on the Danube River near the borders with Ukraine and Moldova. The impact sparked a fire, leaving two people with minor injuries and forcing the evacuation of several residents. The Romanian military scrambled two F-16 fighter jets and a helicopter authorized to engage aerial threats, while emergency alerts were issued to residents in affected areas. However, the aircraft did not engage or shoot down the drone. Romania’s Foreign Ministry described the drone’s flight as a serious violation of international law and called on NATO to speed up the transfer of anti-drone capabilities to the country’s military. Gen. Gheorghe Maxim, acting commander of Romania’s joint military staff, said the incident was not a deliberate Russian attack on Romania but warned that Russia remains a threat to regional security. The incident was the latest in a series of drone incursions involving both Russia and Ukraine that have unsettled NATO member states. Ukraine’s air force said Russia launched 232 drones and one ballistic missile overnight, with 217 drones intercepted and strikes recorded in 14 areas.

Former Attorney General Pam Bondi is testifying before House lawmakers investigating Jeffrey Epstein’s sexual abuse cases, a long-awaited appearance that brings fresh scrutiny of the administration’s botched release of the Epstein case files. Bondi was defiant in previous public testimony when she was confronted by lawmakers about the Epstein investigation. It’s unclear whether she’ll bring the same approach Friday, now that she is no longer in charge of the Justice Department. The session will be held behind closed doors. The transcribed interview will give lawmakers a chance to dig for information on the Trump administration’s handling of the Epstein files and other related matters, including the prison sentence of his former girlfriend and confidant, Ghislaine Maxwell. The Justice Department moved Maxwell to a prison camp in Texas last August. “I think she absolutely could clear up many missing pieces if she wanted to,” said Rep. Yassamin Ansari, an Arizona Democrat on the House Oversight Committee. “Now it’s a question of whether or not she is willing to be transparent.” Lawmakers are trying to find out what decisions prosecutors have made about investigating Epstein associates, how the Justice Department handled the congressional mandate to release the Epstein case files and whether President Donald Trump was involved in the process. Bondi, who revealed this week that she is being treated for thyroid cancer, has stayed within Trump’s orbit even after being ousted from her job in early April. Trump appointed her to a White House panel on artificial intelligence this week, and Bondi will be accompanied Friday by Justice Department officials, including Harmeet Dhillon, who heads the department’s Civil Rights Division, acting as her counsel. Democrats say that arrangement is a conflict of interest. A spokesperson for the Justice Department said the officials were there to help lawmakers understand the department’s process for releasing the case files. Bondi was central to the Epstein sagaBondi has been central to the political firestorm over Epstein, initially raising expectations for the full release of what’s known as the Epstein files, only to later backtrack. That reversal prompted Congress to step in and pass a law requiring the release. Bondi faced even more backlash when the Justice Department’s release of the files was delayed and then included personal information of several potential victims. She has insisted in congressional hearings that she was trying to follow the law. The House Oversight Committee, meanwhile, has been conducting a wide-ranging investigation into Epstein that spans multiple presidential administrations. The interview format is already contentiousBondi was subpoenaed by the committee in March in a bipartisan vote, but she tried to head off that demand by holding a closed-door meeting with lawmakers that same month. The maneuver only added to the enmity between Bondi and Democrats on the committee. Bondi’s departure from the Justice Department also raised doubts about the enforcement of the congressional subpoena. After the committee’s Democrats maneuvered to press for a civil contempt of Congress resolution against Bondi, she agreed to sit for a transcribed interview rather than a sworn deposition. Democrats on the Oversight panel have criticized that arrangement, saying that it allows Bondi to decline to answer questions. They have also pressed the Republican chair of the committee, Rep. James Comer, to record the interview on video. “A failure to film and release a video of Ms. Bondi’s testimony would present a grave injustice to the American people and survivors of Epstein’s crimes,” the committee’s top Democrat, Rep. Robert Garcia, wrote to Comer. Comer has said he is allowing Bondi to sit for a transcribed interview rather than a deposition as an incentive to cooperate. Previously, he had enforced a subpoena on former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton after they resisted the demand. Both of their depositions were video-recorded. Still, Comer said Bondi could face prosecution if she lies to Congress. He said the committee would also release a transcript of the interview. “Hopefully that will be good enough,” he said.

China has hosted more than 50,000 young Americans for exchanges and study visits, hitting the five-year target set in 2023, the Ministry of Education announced Friday. The U.S. young visitors, from the country's 50 states and Washington, D.C., reached across China's 31 provincial-level regions as well as Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions. They participated in activities as diverse as learning languages, summer and winter camps, sports competitions, and academic studies for credits or degrees. The exchanges bridged information gaps, strengthened goodwill and contributed to stable, healthy and sustainable bilateral ties, said an official from the international cooperation department of the education ministry. The ministry also encourages efforts from both public and private sectors to scale-up exchanges and turn short-term engagements into robust, long-term partnerships. 

A man was arrested after stabbing and injuring three people at a train station in the Swiss city of Winterthur on Thursday, police said. The incident occurred shortly after 8:30 am, according to Zurich regional police. The suspect, identified as a 31-year-old Swiss national, is currently in custody, and authorities are investigating the motive behind the attack. The victims all Swiss citizens aged 28, 43 and 52 were taken to nearby hospitals. Officials have not yet disclosed the extent of their injuries. Winterthur, a city of around 123,000 people, is located in northeastern Switzerland, close to Zurich, the country’s largest city.

A planned International Stabilization Force for Gaza, once announced with strong optimism by the United States, is now facing major uncertainty as promised troop contributions fail to materialize. The 20,000-member force was unveiled in February at the first meeting of former US President Donald Trump’s Board of Peace. A US general assigned to lead the mission had said it would help bring long-term peace and stability after the devastating Israel–Hamas war. However, three months later, the force has yet to take shape, as none of the five countries that initially pledged troops have sent meaningful contributions. Efforts to support a fragile ceasefire have also slowed. Hamas has refused to disarm, while Israel has expanded its control in parts of Gaza and continued military strikes, which it says are aimed at militants but have also caused civilian casualties. The recent conflict involving Iran has further complicated the situation, making it politically difficult for Arab and Muslim countries to openly cooperate with the US and Israel. Rising global energy prices have also added economic pressure on potential contributors. Indonesia puts largest troop pledge on hold Indonesia, which had pledged the largest contribution of around 8,000 troops, has suspended its plan indefinitely. Around 1,000 troops were expected to be deployed in April, followed by more in June. Indonesia’s decision has been seen as a major setback for the initiative. Other pledged contributors include Morocco, Kazakhstan, Kosovo and Albania. Indonesian officials said the suspension was due to unclear implementation plans and a lack of progress from Washington. They also pointed to rising tensions in the Middle East as a major concern. Officials in Jakarta said shifting regional dynamics and the ongoing US–Iran conflict had slowed down the entire peace initiative, leaving both the Board of Peace and the stabilization force effectively on hold. Public and political concerns in Indonesia Analysts say domestic opinion in Indonesia may also have influenced the decision. The war in Gaza and wider Middle East tensions remain unpopular among the Indonesian public, and rising prices linked to global instability have added to economic concerns. Experts also noted that many Indonesians are skeptical about whether the peace plan can truly improve conditions in Gaza. Indonesia has previously lost peacekeepers in Lebanon during clashes involving Israel and Hezbollah, which has further reduced public support for overseas military deployments. Disagreements over ceasefire progress US officials linked to the Board of Peace say the main obstacle to progress is Hamas’s refusal to disarm. They argue that the stabilization force cannot begin operations until the second phase of the ceasefire is agreed, which would include Hamas laying down weapons and Israel gradually withdrawing from parts of Gaza. Israeli forces currently control about 60% of the territory. Officials supporting the plan say armed groups must be removed before reconstruction can begin, warning that stability is impossible while militias remain active. Hamas blames Israel for delays Hamas, however, says Israel has repeatedly violated the ceasefire and is responsible for delays in implementing the agreement. The group also accuses US officials of taking Israel’s side. Local health authorities say more than 880 Palestinians have been killed since the ceasefire began, although Israel says its strikes were in response to violations of the truce. According to mediators, Hamas is also demanding Israeli withdrawal from areas captured after the ceasefire began. Egypt has been acting as a key broker in the negotiations. Several countries that pledged troops have reportedly said they will not deploy forces unless there is clear agreement on Hamas disarmament. Limited commitments so far Some countries have only offered limited support. Kazakhstan says it will focus on humanitarian assistance, including medical teams. Albania has said its involvement remains under discussion, while Kosovo has indicated it is in the final stages of preparation to send a small number of troops. Morocco has not provided further details. So far, no participating country has confirmed that troops are on the ground. Future still uncertain Despite the setbacks, some analysts believe Indonesia could still reconsider its position in the future, depending on diplomatic progress. Observers say Indonesia’s leadership may still want to maintain strong ties with the United States while balancing domestic concerns and regional tensions.

The United States carried out fresh “defensive” strikes against Iran on Wednesday, as President Donald Trump claimed Tehran is “running out of options” in ongoing negotiations and said upcoming midterm elections will not pressure him into a quick deal. According to US officials, American forces intercepted and destroyed four Iranian one-way attack drones near the Strait of Hormuz, considering them a potential threat. The officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said US troops also targeted a drone control site in Bandar Abbas that was preparing to launch another drone. The latest military actions came as Trump expressed confidence during a Cabinet meeting that progress is being made toward ending the nearly three-month-long conflict, although negotiations remain uncertain. The president is aiming for an agreement that would reopen the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz and allow him to claim that Iran’s nuclear capabilities have been significantly reduced. Such an outcome could help him justify ending a war that has faced political criticism at home. However, the proposed deal leaves several key issues unresolved and has drawn criticism, even from some of Trump’s Republican allies. Critics argue that Iran’s leadership could emerge from the conflict weakened but still empowered. With midterm elections approaching and concerns growing over rising fuel prices and living costs, some Republicans worry about the political impact. But Trump dismissed suggestions that the elections would influence his decisions. “They thought they could wait me out because of the midterms,” Trump said. “I don’t care about the midterms.” He acknowledged that negotiations are still ongoing but remained optimistic. “They want a deal badly,” he said. “We’re not satisfied yet, but we will be or we’ll have to finish the job.” Earlier this week, the Pentagon confirmed similar “defensive” strikes targeting Iranian missile sites and boats suspected of laying naval mines. The US has said it is acting cautiously due to a fragile ceasefire that has been in place for weeks. Republican concerns over deal terms Despite Trump’s optimism, differences remain between Washington and Tehran on several major issues. Senior Republican lawmakers, including Senators Roger Wicker, Lindsey Graham and Ted Cruz, have expressed concern that the deal may be too favorable to Iran. Some critics say the proposed agreement resembles the nuclear deal negotiated under former President Barack Obama  a deal Trump had previously withdrawn from.   Under the current proposal, Iran would give up its stockpile of highly enriched uranium in exchange for relief from economic sanctions. Officials say details on how the uranium would be handled are still under discussion, with options including dilution or transfer to a third country. However, Trump said he would not be comfortable with Russia or China taking control of Iran’s uranium stockpile. According to the International Atomic Energy Agency, Iran currently possesses about 440.9 kilograms of uranium enriched up to 60% purity, close to weapons-grade levels. Iran has not publicly agreed to surrender this material. Uncertainty over Israel and Lebanon Another unresolved issue is whether the ceasefire would include Israel’s ongoing military operations against Hezbollah in Lebanon. Iran has insisted that Lebanon be included in any agreement. The US proposal appears to leave room for interpretation, supporting a broader ceasefire while also recognizing Israel’s right to defend itself against immediate threats. Clashes between Israeli forces and Hezbollah fighters continue in southern Lebanon, with Israeli troops advancing further north. Analysts warn that any sanctions relief could allow Iran to rebuild its military strength and support allied groups like Hezbollah and Hamas. Push to expand Abraham Accords Trump has also called for expanding the Abraham Accords — agreements aimed at normalizing relations between Israel and several Muslim-majority countries — to include nations such as Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar and Pakistan. “We are strongly encouraging them to join,” Trump said. However, experts say this goal may be difficult to achieve. Saudi Arabia, for example, has maintained that recognition of Israel depends on a clear path toward establishing a Palestinian state — something Israel currently opposes. Trump raised the issue during recent talks with Middle Eastern leaders, though reactions reportedly varied. While some officials described the response as muted, others said certain allies showed interest in the proposal.

Asked to give an update on negotiations, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said he felt “there’s been some progress” on discussions with Iran and said the “next few hours and days” would yield more information. Seated at Trump’s right hand, the country’s chief diplomat stressed that, while the president has “other options” if talks don’t yield the U.S.’ desired outcome, Rubio added, “We prefer the negotiated, diplomatic route, and we’re going to give it every chance to succeed.” Trump said Rubio had been “all over the place” in recent days. The secretary of state returned to the U.S. last night after a five-day trip that included stops in Sweden and India.

Every year, millions of Muslims travel to Mecca in Saudi Arabia to perform the Hajj, one of the holiest acts of worship in Islam. The pilgrimage brings together believers from different countries and cultures in a shared spiritual journey marked by prayer, devotion and religious rituals. This year’s Hajj comes amid regional uncertainty linked to the fragile ceasefire surrounding the Iran conflict and wider tensions in the Middle East. Earlier this year, some Muslims performing Umrah — often called the minor pilgrimage — faced travel disruptions caused by the conflict, leaving several stranded in Saudi Arabia. The Hajj is one of Islam’s five pillarsHajj is the annual Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca and is considered a religious duty for every Muslim who is financially and physically capable of undertaking the journey at least once in their lifetime. Many believers, however, aspire to perform it multiple times. The pilgrimage is one of the Five Pillars of Islam, alongside the declaration of faith, daily prayers, charity and fasting.

Israel said on Wednesday that it had killed the newly appointed head of Hamas’ military wing in an airstrike in Gaza City, less than two weeks after his predecessor was also killed. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz and the military said Tuesday’s airstrikes targeted Mohammed Odeh, who they claim was killed in the operation. Relatives of a man named Mohammed Odeh confirmed he died in the strike but did not verify whether he held a senior Hamas military position. Hamas has not issued any statement on the incident. Katz described him as “one of the masterminds” behind the October 7, 2023 attacks on Israel and said this was the fourth time Israel had eliminated the head of Hamas’ armed wing since that assault. The previous commander, Izz al-Din al-Haddad, was reportedly killed on May 16. At least three people were killed and 12 others injured in the strike, which took place on the eve of Eid al-Adha, a major Islamic holiday. In a post on X, Katz vowed continued action against those involved in the October 7 attacks, saying they would be “eliminated everywhere” and that Hamas would not retain any governing or military control. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also reiterated that Israel would continue targeting anyone linked to the 2023 Hamas attack, as he prepares for upcoming elections. The strike came at a difficult time for Gaza residents, as Muslims marked Eid al-Adha under ongoing conflict and displacement. Many families in the territory are living in tents or temporary shelters after widespread destruction, with humanitarian conditions worsening. Eyewitnesses in Khan Younis and Gaza City said Eid celebrations were minimal, with widespread grief overshadowing the holiday. “This is not Eid… we’re dead,” said one displaced resident, describing the heavy toll of the ongoing war. Another displaced woman said the joy of Eid had disappeared due to the loss of loved ones, adding that the celebration now feels empty for many families. A ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, agreed last October, remains fragile. Despite it, Israeli strikes have continued, with Palestinian health authorities reporting hundreds of deaths since it began. Israel says its operations respond to Hamas violations or threats. The war began after the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack that killed about 1,200 people in Israel and saw 251 others taken hostage. Gaza’s health ministry says more than 72,700 Palestinians have since been killed, though it does not separate civilians from fighters.