United News of Bangladesh

Prime Minister’s Foreign Affairs Adviser Humaiun Kobir on Sunday said there is no reason for Bangladesh to be worried about fuel supplies despite growing instability in the Middle East following attacks by the US and Israel on Iran. The country currently has sufficient stock and there is no immediate concern, said the adviser when asked about the possible impact of the Middle East crisis on Bangladesh, particularly regarding fuel supplies. He came up with the information while talking to reporters after a meeting with Prime Minister Tarique Rahman at the Secretariat. “At this moment, with the stock we have, there should not be any major problem. We had faced similar crises before. There may be some fluctuation in energy-related matters, but overall we are well prepared. There is no need to be overly concerned,” Kobir said.The top priority of the government is Bangladeshis living in the Middle East and assisting passengers waiting at airports, he added. Kobir also said that he personally visited the airport along with the aviation minister to oversee the situation as per the directives of the Prime Minister. “We are coordinating properly so that none of our citizens face distress—whether those waiting in the country or those abroad who may be worried due to the current situation in the Middle East,” the adviser said. PM enquires about Bangladeshis in Middle East amid Iran crisis He said Bangladesh wants de-escalation of the conflict through diplomacy and urged for peaceful resolution of the crisis. The adviser also said the government is assisting outbound workers whose visas may expire due to travel disruptions and is in contact with the diplomatic community of destination countries to address such issues.

Global leaders have voiced deep concern following military strikes by Israel and the United States on Iran, and Tehran’s subsequent retaliation, warning of the risk of a wider regional conflict across the Middle East. The United Nations Human Rights Chief, Volker Türk, called for “restraint” and urged all parties to “see reason, to de-escalate, and for a return to the negotiating table.” “I deplore the military strikes across Iran this morning by Israel and the United States of America, and the subsequent retaliatory strikes by Iran,” he said, stressing that civilians ultimately bear the brunt of armed conflict. He reminded those involved that protecting civilians is “paramount” under international law. At least 51 students killed as US-Israel strikes on Iran escalate into regional crisis The European Union’s top diplomat, Kaja Kallas, described the latest developments as “perilous.” In a statement on X, she noted that the European Union has imposed strong sanctions on Iran and supported diplomatic solutions, including on the nuclear issue. She added that she had spoken to Israel’s and other regional foreign ministers, underscoring that the protection of civilians and adherence to international humanitarian law remain a priority. A spokesperson for the Government of the United Kingdom said London does not want to see “further escalation into a wider regional conflict.” The statement emphasised that the immediate priority is the safety of UK nationals in the region, adding that Britain stands ready to protect its interests. Tehran hits back across region after US and Israel attack Iran Prime Minister Keir Starmer chaired a meeting of the government’s emergency Cobra committee and is expected to hold a series of calls with allies. The BBC reported that the UK was not involved in the US-Israeli strikes. Germany said it had been informed of the attack in advance, with Chancellor Friedrich Merz consulting relevant security ministers. In Rome, the office of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said she had held a conference call with ministers and intelligence chiefs and would consult allies and regional leaders to support efforts aimed at easing tensions. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said his country supported the US in acting to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon and from continuing to threaten international peace and security. Meanwhile, Russia condemned the US-Israeli strikes, calling them a “reckless move.” The Russian foreign ministry said it was “condemnable” that the attacks were being carried out under what it described as the guise of renewed negotiations, referring to recent US-Iran nuclear talks. Moscow also urged the international community to assess what it termed “irresponsible actions aimed at undermining peace, stability, and security” in the region. As diplomatic activity intensifies, world leaders continue to call for restraint, warning that any further escalation could destabilise an already volatile Middle East.

Israel carried out a daytime assault on Tehran on Saturday, sending smoke billowing from the city center. The initial strike targeted areas near the offices of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The United States is participating in the operation, though the exact scale of its involvement remains unclear, according to a U.S. official and a source familiar with the mission, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of military operations. It is not known whether the 86-year-old Khamenei was present at his offices during the attack. He has not been seen publicly for several days amid escalating tensions with the United States. The strikes come as Washington has deployed a large fleet of fighter jets and warships to the region to pressure Iran into a nuclear deal. Authorities had closed roads leading to Khamenei's compound in central Tehran as other blasts were reported across the city. US President Donald Trump had aimed for a deal to limit Iran’s nuclear activities and see a chance while the country faces rising domestic unrest following nationwide protests. Iran had sought to avoid war but insists it has the right to enrich uranium and refuses to negotiate on other issues, including its long-range missile program or support for armed groups such as Hamas and Hezbollah. It is unclear whether Iran will retaliate immediately, but Tehran has warned that American military personnel and bases across the region would be targets for any response. Pakistan declares State of emergency in Bannu district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz described the strikes as being carried out “to remove threats.” He did not provide further details. In Tehran, witnesses reported hearing the first blast near Khamenei's office. Iranian state television later covered the explosion without specifying a cause. Sirens sounded across Israel as the country closed its airspace. The Israeli military said it issued a “proactive alert to prepare the public for the possibility of missiles being launched toward the state of Israel.” Additional explosions were reported in Tehran following the Israeli attack, though authorities have not released casualty figures. Iran meanwhile closed its airspace and disrupted mobile phone services. Warnings to pilots coincided with the blasts reverberating across the Iranian capital.