United News of Bangladesh

Israeli forces arrested 10 Palestinians, including an elderly man, during raids across the Hebron Governorate in the occupied West Bank on Friday morning. Osama Makhamra, an activist monitoring settlement activities in southern Hebron, told media that Israeli troops detained elderly resident Ibrahim Ismail Al-Jabour and his son, Anas, after raiding their home in Khirbet Hawara, east of Yatta. Makhamra said the father and son had confronted illegal Israeli settlers who had released their livestock near Palestinian homes in the area before their arrest. Latest Israeli strikes kill at least 12 people in Gaza, including police officers Meanwhile, Israeli soldiers established several military checkpoints at the entrances to Hebron city as well as its surrounding towns, villages and refugee camps. Troops also closed a number of main and secondary roads, restricting movement across the governorate. With inputs from Al Jazeera

International Energy Agency (IEA) Executive Director Fatih Birol has cautioned that global energy security will remain under threat unless oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz increase. Speaking at a Council on Foreign Relations event, Birol said oil security continues to be a major concern and warned that the situation could worsen if conditions fail to improve over the coming weeks. The Strait of Hormuz, a strategic waterway between Iran and Oman that previously carried around one-fifth of global energy supplies, has remained largely closed since the conflict erupted on February 28. Birol said the disruption to oil and gas flows has affected economies worldwide, with Asian countries bearing the brunt of the crisis. According to him, Asia had relied on the strait for 80 to 90 percent of its energy imports. While Japan and South Korea have been significantly affected, Birol said developing countries such as Pakistan, Bangladesh and India have suffered the greatest impact from the supply disruption. With inputs from Al Jazeera

Israel is ready to participate in potential future US military actions against Iran if requested by Washington, but is currently awaiting approval from US President Donald Trump, media says on Friday. The report, without citing any sources, noted that Israeli officials expect the military exchanges between the United States and Iran to persist over the coming days. Unclaimed airstrikes hit Iran after US ends operations, fueling speculation over new attacker In a separate report by USA media, quoting an unnamed source in Jerusalem, stated that Israel remains interested in taking part in any renewed military campaign against Iran should the ongoing conflict escalate. The developments follow recent US strikes on multiple targets inside Iran, which caused casualties and infrastructure damage. Washington launched the operations in response to alleged Iranian attacks on commercial vessels moving through the strategic Strait of Hormuz. In retaliation to the American operations, Iran launched missile and drone strikes targeting US military bases and facilities located across Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, and Jordan.

The United States carried out strikes on 10 Iranian military targets on Saturday after accusing Tehran of violating a fragile ceasefire by attacking an oil tanker in the Strait of Hormuz. US Central Command (CENTCOM) said the strikes targeted surveillance infrastructure, communication systems, air defence sites, drone and missile storage facilities, coastal radar installations and minelayer capabilities at multiple locations near the strategic waterway. President Donald Trump said the attacks were launched after Iran breached the ceasefire agreement, warning Washington could take further military action if Tehran continued its attacks. CENTCOM said Iranian forces used a one-way drone to strike the oil tanker Kiku, carrying more than two million barrels of crude oil through the Strait of Hormuz. The vessel had departed a Qatari oil field and was bound for the United Arab Emirates. Iranian media reported explosions near the strait following the US strikes. Earlier, Bahrain accused Iran of launching several drones toward the kingdom, though no damage was reported. The latest escalation comes as Washington and Tehran continue negotiations under a 60-day interim agreement covering maritime security in the Strait of Hormuz and Iran’s nuclear programme. Maritime authorities also warned that threats to commercial shipping remain high despite expanded alternative shipping routes near Oman.

Pakistan Interior Minister Syed Mohsen Naqvi has travelled to Tehran for meetings with senior Iranian officials as Islamabad continues efforts to mediate between Iran and the United States over nuclear negotiations,  media says. The visit is intended to review and follow up on the progress of talks between Tehran and Washington, the source said. Naqvi left for Tehran on Saturday and is expected to hold discussions with senior Iranian authorities during the visit. Truce reached between Israel and Hezbollah amid delays in US-Iran negotiations The trip marks Naqvi’s latest engagement as part of Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts to facilitate communication between Iran and the US. During his previous visit to Iran on June 7, Naqvi met with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni. Pakistan has been seeking to play a mediating role amid ongoing discussions between the two countries over Iran’s nuclear programme.

An initial agreement between the United States and Iran aimed at extending a fragile ceasefire moved closer to formal signing on Monday, although uncertainties surrounding Tehran’s nuclear program and Israel’s military operations in Lebanon continued to threaten the deal. The electronically signed agreement, reached on Sunday, seeks to sustain a truce in a months-long conflict that has killed thousands across the Middle East, including senior Iranian leaders, and disrupted global fuel and food markets. A key element of the pact is the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, through which about one-fifth of the world’s oil and natural gas supplies pass. However, Iran said implementation would begin only after a formal signing ceremony scheduled for Friday in Geneva, while the US blockade remains in place until then. The deal also requires Iran to decide within 60 days on the future of its stockpile of highly enriched uranium. Further details, expected within two days, may include the release of frozen Iranian assets, sanctions relief and a proposed $300 billion reconstruction fund tied to Iranian commitments. Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the agreement was US President Donald Trump’s decision, while reaffirming Israel’s determination to counter Iranian threats and maintain its military presence in parts of Lebanon. Continued fighting between Israel and Hezbollah remains a major challenge to the agreement’s success.

The United States and Iran are close to reaching an agreement aimed at ending their months-long conflict, with officials from both sides indicating that a breakthrough could come within days. Three regional officials told media on Friday that the proposed deal could lead to the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, the phased lifting of sanctions on Iran and the release of frozen Iranian assets. A senior US official said the draft agreement also includes the removal and destruction of Iran’s nuclear material, dismantling parts of its nuclear programme and a commitment by Tehran not to fund terrorist groups. Middle East on edge as Iran and US exchange fire again Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on X that a deal “has never been closer,” while President Donald Trump shared the post on social media. However, Trump also warned Iranian leaders to act quickly. The negotiations follow three days of exchanges involving Iran, the US and Israel and come amid a fragile ceasefire that has been in place since April 7. The conflict, which began on February 28, has disrupted energy shipments through the Persian Gulf and heightened regional tensions. Officials said the agreement is expected to be finalized after approval in Washington and Tehran. Pakistan, backed by Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Egypt and Qatar, has played a leading mediating role in the talks.

US President Donald Trump has urged Israel and Iran to cease hostilities immediately amid growing concerns that renewed exchanges of fire could undermine efforts to secure a lasting peace agreement. “Israel and Iran must immediately stop ‘shooting,’” Trump wrote in a brief message on his Truth Social platform, reports AL Jazeera . The appeal came as Iran's armed forces announced the suspension of their military operations against Israel, while warning that any future Israeli attacks, particularly in Lebanon, would trigger a much stronger response, according to Iran's semi-official Fars News Agency. In a statement carried by the agency, Iran's Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters said the country's armed forces had delivered a “painful response” to Israel following what it described as Israeli attacks in southern Lebanon and Beirut's Dahieh district, allegedly backed by the United States. The statement followed a series of attacks between Israel and Iran that threatened to derail diplomatic efforts aimed at ending a conflict that has weighed heavily on regional stability and the global economy. Israel did not immediately respond to Iran's announcement. However, an Israeli military official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Reuters that Israel remained prepared for various scenarios in Iran and was ready to continue operations for as long as necessary. The latest developments have intensified concerns about a possible resurgence of broader regional hostilities despite ongoing international efforts to preserve the fragile ceasefire.

Israel and Iran exchanged missile and air strikes early Monday in their first direct military confrontation since a ceasefire brokered by the United States two months ago, raising concerns that the Middle East could once again slide into a broader conflict. Several hours after the attacks, Iran’s military announced it was suspending offensive operations, while warning that any further Israeli action would trigger a stronger response. The latest escalation threatens to unravel the fragile truce reached in April following a conflict that began on February 28 with coordinated US and Israeli strikes on Iran. The war disrupted global markets, pushed up energy costs and contributed to rising prices of essential goods worldwide. Despite the ceasefire, tensions have remained high. Iran has continued to exert influence over the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global oil and gas shipments, while Israel has maintained military operations against Hezbollah in Lebanon. Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi rebels also entered the fray on Monday, launching attacks toward Israel and renewing threats against Israel-linked vessels in the Red Sea. With peace negotiations showing little progress, the renewed exchanges between Israel and Iran, coupled with Houthi involvement, have heightened fears of a wider regional conflict. US President Donald Trump urged both sides to halt hostilities, posting online that Israel and Iran “must immediately stop shooting.” Shortly afterward, Iran’s military command said it was halting offensive actions but warned that any new “aggression” by Israel or its allies, including in southern Lebanon, would be met with “far more severe” measures. Diplomatic Push to Preserve CeasefireRegional diplomats have intensified efforts to prevent the ceasefire from collapsing. According to two regional officials, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Pakistan and Qatar have urged Washington to pressure Israel to scale back attacks on Iran and Beirut while also encouraging Tehran to cease strikes against Israel. Trump confirmed that discussions aimed at maintaining the ceasefire were continuing but did not provide further details. Fresh Military ExchangesIran launched multiple waves of attacks on Israel on Monday, prompting retaliatory Israeli strikes on targets in central and western Iran. Iranian media reported explosions in Tehran, Isfahan, Karaj and Tabriz, while authorities temporarily closed airspace around Tehran’s Imam Khomeini International Airport. Iranian news agencies reported that Israeli strikes targeted a petrochemical facility in Mahshahr. The Israeli military later confirmed attacks on sites it said were involved in producing ballistic missile materials and on mobile missile-launching systems. Israel said the operations were carried out in response to Iranian missile attacks. Tehran had previously vowed retaliation after Israeli strikes in Beirut’s southern suburbs. Iran’s Revolutionary Guard claimed responsibility for attacks on two Israeli military installations. Air raid sirens sounded across parts of Israel and neighboring Jordan as air defense systems attempted to intercept incoming projectiles. Iran accused Washington of being complicit in the escalation, with Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei saying Israel would not have acted without US coordination. The White House did not immediately comment on the allegation. Strains Between Trump and NetanyahuAlthough Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu closely coordinated military operations at the start of the conflict, signs of tension between the two leaders have emerged in recent weeks. Analysts suggest Netanyahu faces domestic pressure ahead of upcoming elections and ongoing security concerns along Israel’s northern border, while Trump is eager to reduce international tensions and limit the economic fallout before congressional elections later this year. Houthis Rejoin the ConflictYemen’s Houthi movement claimed responsibility for attacks on Israel and warned that vessels linked to Israel would again be targeted in the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden and Bab el-Mandeb Strait. The group had launched similar operations during the Gaza conflict, carrying out more than 100 attacks on commercial shipping, disrupting one of the world’s most important maritime trade routes. Civilians Prepare for UncertaintyResidents on both sides of the conflict expressed concern that the latest escalation could mark the beginning of another prolonged confrontation. In Tehran, some residents said they expected fighting to continue despite the ceasefire, while in Israel schools remained closed nationwide. Although many businesses stayed open, daily life was disrupted as residents repeatedly sought shelter during missile alerts. 

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appeared before the District Court in Tel Aviv for the 88th time on Tuesday in connection with ongoing corruption proceedings against him. According to Israel’s  madia, the judges agreed to shorten the hearing due to Netanyahu’s “security and political schedule,” without elaborating further. Netanyahu is facing charges of corruption, bribery and breach of trust across three separate cases, with indictments filed in November 2019. Since the trial began in 2020, he has consistently denied any wrongdoing, characterising the allegations as a “political campaign aimed at overthrowing him.” Under Israeli law, a presidential pardon cannot be granted unless the accused admits guilt. Separately, Netanyahu has also been wanted by the International Criminal Court since 2024 over allegations of war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza, where more than 72,000 Palestinians have reportedly been killed during Israel’s ongoing military campaign.