United News of Bangladesh

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has arrived in Islamabad as part of a three-country tour amid ongoing diplomatic efforts involving the United States and Pakistan, while conflicting statements have emerged over planned Iran-US talks. The White House said US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner will travel to Islamabad for talks with Iran. However, an Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson said “no meeting is planned to take place between Iran and the US”, adding that Tehran’s “observations would be conveyed by Pakistan”. Commercial flights resume at Tehran airport after two months Pakistani mediators remain “cautiously optimistic” about the prospects of Iran-US engagement following Araghchi’s arrival in the Pakistani capital, says report. The Iranian side has maintained that no trilateral meeting with the United States is scheduled, rejecting the US version of events. Tehran has also insisted that a key sticking point remains the demand for the complete opening of the Strait of Hormuz and an end to what it describes as a US blockade, while Washington has not indicated any willingness to lift restrictions. Despite the disagreement, Pakistani officials said the ongoing presence of all sides reflects progress in behind-the-scenes diplomacy. They described the process as “relentless diplomacy” involving continuous engagement from multiple parties. According to diplomatic sources, in the past 24 hours Pakistan has held separate discussions not only with Iran but also with Russia. Officials said Moscow is expected to be another stop on the Iranian foreign minister’s tour after leaving Pakistan. While the situation remains at a stalemate, mediators in Islamabad believe continued shuttle diplomacy could help keep dialogue efforts alive between Tehran and Washington. Source- Al Jazeera

The White House has said Iran is seeking direct talks with the United States, while President Donald Trump has expressed willingness to allow diplomacy to proceed, according to officials. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters that “Iranians want to talk in person,” adding that the US president was ready to “give diplomacy a chance.” She further said Vice President JD Vance would remain on standby in Washington and could be deployed to Pakistan “if we feel it’s a necessary use of his time.” Iran's Araghchi heads to Islamabad in step towards US talks resumption In a separate briefing, Leavitt announced that US President Donald Trump’s Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and his son-in-law Jared Kushner will travel to Pakistan on Saturday morning for talks related to Iran. The White House did not provide further details on the agenda of the discussions, but confirmed that the visit is part of ongoing diplomatic efforts involving regional stakeholders. Officials indicated that Washington is keeping multiple channels open as it explores the possibility of engagement with Tehran through indirect and direct formats. Source: Al Jazeera

Iran has said it will continue talks in Islamabad as long as the United States lifts its blockade, according to sources. The extension of the ceasefire has been seen as a positive signal, although mixed indications are still emerging from Tehran. The situation can be described through three key factors. First, ambiguity, as time had been running out but the ceasefire extension has now created space, while the risk of renewed confrontation still remains. Second, breakability, with expectations of unpredictability and uncertainty being the only constant at present. 34 Iran-linked tankers slipped past US Hormuz blockade: Report Third, complexity, as discussions involve extending the ceasefire alongside potential diplomatic engagement, despite major unresolved issues. These include the Strait of Hormuz, Iran’s nuclear dossier, sanctions relief, frozen assets, ballistic missile programme, war reparations, and regional relations. The positions of both sides remain significantly apart on these matters. Sources indicate that the issue has moved beyond mistrust, now reflecting deep suspicion over any possible rapprochement with the United States. Source- Al Jazeera

US President Donald Trump has said he is “ready to go” back to war with Iran if no agreement is reached by the end of the ceasefire scheduled for tomorrow. Meanwhile, Pakistan’s information minister said Iran’s response on whether it will send a delegation to meet US officials is still awaited, as diplomatic efforts to end the US-Israel conflict with Iran remain uncertain. Earlier, Tehran said it would not enter negotiations under the “shadow of threats” or under a US naval blockade. Vance to travel to Pakistan on Tuesday for Iran talks Source: Al Jazeera

The United States military seized an Iranian container vessel, Touska, near the Gulf in the early hours of Monday, sharply escalating tensions just hours before Washington is set to dispatch negotiators to Pakistan for talks aimed at ending the ongoing conflict. According to the US Central Command (CENTCOM) and former President Donald Trump, the vessel was targeted after it allegedly refused to comply with US instructions to withdraw from its intended route through the Strait of Hormuz. The US has been enforcing a naval blockade in the area since last Monday. Iran says no plans yet to attend US talks Iran condemned the incident, describing the attack and seizure as an act of “piracy,” and warned of retaliation. Within hours of the development, Tehran announced that it would not send its negotiators to Islamabad for the planned talks with the United States. The seizure of the Iranian ship is seen as a significant development with potential implications for ongoing diplomatic efforts and regional stability. Source: Al Jazeera

Houthis said they are on high alert to respond to any potential attacks against Yemen, according to a senior official. Major-General Mohammed al-Atifi, defence minister of the Houthi-led government, said the group is prepared to confront “any aggression against the Yemeni people.” In a statement, he said the latest phase of the conflict involving what he described as the “Zionist and American enemy” demonstrated unity among allied fronts and highlighted the effectiveness of military operations carried out by the so-called axis of resistance. The Houthis formally joined the US-Israel war involving Iran in late March, launching multiple long-range ballistic missile and drone attacks targeting Israel, opening a new front in the conflict. The group has vowed to continue its attacks until the war ends, using its arsenal to strike sensitive military sites and warning that operations could expand to maritime traffic in the Red Sea. Source- Al Jazeera

Iran has said it will not reopen the strategic Strait of Hormuz to full international shipping unless the United States lifts its naval blockade on Iranian ports, escalating tensions in an already volatile Middle East. Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh said no date has been set for a new round of face-to-face negotiations with Washington, criticising the US for maintaining what he described as “maximalist” demands in the ongoing standoff. On the other side, US President Donald Trump signalled no immediate shift in policy, stating that the naval blockade would remain in force until a deal is reached. He also warned that Washington would not be “blackmailed” by Tehran, underscoring the widening gap between the two sides. Bangladesh faces acute energy crunch after Hormuz closure The Strait of Hormuz, a vital global oil transit chokepoint, has long been a flashpoint in US-Iran relations, and any disruption threatens to impact global energy markets and maritime security. Meanwhile, regional tensions have further intensified. Israel has launched fresh attacks on southern Lebanon despite a ceasefire, saying it has established what it calls a “yellow line” similar to its previous operational boundaries in Gaza. French President Emmanuel Macron has blamed Hezbollah for an હુમে that killed a French peacekeeping soldier in Lebanon. However, the armed group has denied responsibility for the incident. The latest developments highlight a deepening crisis across the region, with diplomatic efforts stalled and military actions continuing on multiple fronts. For the latest casualty figures and updates, readers are advised to follow live trackers monitoring the situation across the Middle East.

US President Donald Trump said Washington will obtain all of Iran’s enriched uranium as part of an anticipated agreement, while maintaining that no financial exchange would be involved. In a post on social media, Trump referred to Iran’s enriched uranium as “nuclear dust” and said the United States would take possession of it, reports Al Jazeera. He added that no money would be exchanged “in any way, shape, or form” and that the arrangement would not be linked to developments in Lebanon. Iran, US say Strait of Hormuz is fully open to commercial vessels In a separate post, Trump said the Strait of Hormuz is “completely open and ready for business,” but noted that a US naval blockade on Iran would remain in place until a final deal is reached. “The naval blockade will remain in full force and effect as it pertains to Iran, only, until such time as our transaction with Iran is 100% complete,” he said, adding that the process “should go very quickly” as most key points have already been negotiated.

US President Donald Trump has announced that Lebanon and Israel have agreed to a 10-day ceasefire, set to begin at 5pm EST, following what he described as “excellent conversations” with the two countries’ leaders. In a post on Truth Social, Trump said he spoke with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, adding that both sides had agreed to the temporary truce “in order to achieve PEACE between their Countries.” He said the agreement follows the first direct meeting between officials of the two countries in 34 years, held in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, reports Al Jazeera. No date fixed yet for 2nd round of U.S.-Iran talks: Pakistan Trump said he had directed Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Rubio and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Dan Razin’ Caine, to work with Israel and Lebanon to achieve a “lasting PEACE.” “It has been my Honor to solve 9 Wars across the World, and this will be my 10th, so let’s, GET IT DONE!” he added.

Prime Minister’s Adviser on Information and Broadcasting Dr Zahed Ur Rahman on Wednesday said the government may consider adjusting fuel prices if the ongoing conflict in the Middle East prolongs. Addressing a press briefing at the Press Information Department in the Secretariat, he also warned that action will be taken against those responsible for failure to prevent deaths from measles and that mob violence will not be tolerated at all. “It is not certain yet. The situation in the Middle East could deteriorate or it could improve through negotiations. Tensions involving shipping routes and Iran could negatively impact the global energy market if the situation persists for a prolonged period. If this continues for long, it will be difficult to maintain subsidies indefinitely,” Zahed said. Any decision on fuel price adjustment would depend on the evolving global situation, he added. Clarifying that there will be no fuel price hike in April, the adviser said, “We have already said if the situation continues, some adjustments in prices may be necessary. I am saying it may be necessary — not that it will definitely happen,” he said, urging the media not to misinterpret his remarks. He said temporary disruptions to the country’s lone state-owned refinery, Eastern Refinery Limited, have created some pressure.   The refinery typically supplies around 25% of the country’s fuel demand, particularly petrol and octane. “The delayed arrival of a 1,00,000-tonne fuel shipment from Saudi Arabia has further strained the situation. Another shipment is expected to arrive in early May,” Zahed said. The government has taken measures by increasing imports of refined fuel and building up reserves to address any potential crisis, he said, adding that the issue has also been discussed in a high-level meeting with the Prime Minister. Acknowledging the signs of strain at the consumer level with long queues seen at petrol pumps in Dhaka and other areas, the adviser said vehicles were seen purchasing fuel multiple times or in excess of their immediate needs, adding pressure to the supply system. He said although supply to petrol pumps has not been reduced, stocks are depleting quickly due to unusually high demand. “Detailed pump-wise supply data will be published soon.” Talking about measles, which continues to claim the lives of children in the country, Zahed vowed strict accountability, warning that those responsible for failures in preventing deaths from such diseases will face action. He said every death linked to preventable diseases is being thoroughly investigated, as authorities work to contain the outbreak and prevent further fatalities. The adviser noted that the current measles situation will not improve overnight, as immunity takes time to develop after vaccination. The nationwide immunisation drive, which began on April 5, is ongoing, but immediate results are unlikely, he said. Zahed acknowledged gaps in vaccine coverage in parts of the country, describing the situation as a result of past failures, but stressed that such deaths are unacceptable. “No child should die from a preventable disease,” he said, adding that hospitals are trying their best to support infected patients despite resource constraints, particularly limited ICU facilities. Asked whether action will be taken against the former health adviser to the immediate past interim government for failure, Zahed said every negative incident is being seriously investigated to identify causes and prevent recurrence, warning that failure in such cases is “unforgivable.” He also highlighted the government’s focus on preventive healthcare, including strengthening vaccination programmes and raising public awareness, to bring mortality from preventable diseases close to zero. Talking about mob violence, the adviser said the government is treating recent incidents of mob violence with utmost seriousness and will investigate each case thoroughly, stressing that taking the law into one’s own hand will not be tolerated under any circumstances. Responding to questions from journalists, he said even if a thief or robber is caught red-handed, people have no right to assault, let alone kill, the suspect. “The government has adopted a zero-tolerance policy in this regard.” The adviser acknowledged that there may have been administrative lapses in some cases, saying those are being reviewed to prevent recurrence. Explaining the nature of such incidents, Zahed said mobs are usually spontaneous and unorganised, but recently there has been a worrying trend of organised gatherings being mobilised to carry out attacks or blockades. “These are not mobs in the true sense, but organised crimes,” he said, adding that action will also be taken against such planned violence. He cited the recent incident of Kushtia, where a self-proclaimed ‘Pir’ was beaten and hacked to death over derogatory remarks about Islam, as an example of a planned act. “A case has already been filed over the incident and suspects have been identified.” The adviser said the government will move forward on cases where there is clear social consensus, adding that authorities are willing to review incidents carried out in the name of mob action during the interim government period. Responding to a question about the recent arrest of a female worker of a political party over a social media post, he said the post contained misleading and objectionable information. However, Zahed admitted that greater caution and clearer guidelines are needed in making arrests. He said the government is planning to form a panel of lawyers to review such cases before arrests are made to ensure proper verification. The adviser also expressed concern over the spread of misinformation and hate speech on social media.