United News of Bangladesh

Asian stock markets mostly fell on Monday while oil prices surged after US President Donald Trump warned that “the clock is ticking” for Iran as efforts to reach a lasting agreement to end the conflict remain stalled. US stock futures also moved lower, with major indexes losing more than 0.6 percent. Japan and South Korea pulled back further after recent record highs. Japan’s Nikkei 225 dropped 0.9 percent to 60,843.09, led by losses in technology shares. The index had touched a record intraday high above 63,000 last week. The yield on Japan’s 10-year government bond rose to 2.8 percent, its highest level since the late 1990s, as the Bank of Japan gradually raises interest rates and higher energy prices fuel inflation concerns. In South Korea, the Kospi gained 0.9 percent to 7,558.50 after recovering from earlier losses. The index had crossed 8,000 on Friday, driven by strong demand for technology stocks linked to the artificial intelligence boom, before easing on profit-taking. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index fell 1.6 percent to 25,543.32, while China’s Shanghai Composite slipped 0.1 percent to 4,132.24 after weaker-than-expected retail sales data for April. Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 lost 1.4 percent to 8,508.40. Taiwan’s Taiex declined 1.1 percent, and India’s Sensex was down 0.6 percent. Oil prices climbed sharply after Trump said in a social media post that Iran should act quickly or “there won’t be anything left of them,” following a phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Investors remain cautious because of uncertainty over the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global oil and gas shipments. The waterway remains largely closed, while the US has maintained a maritime blockade on Iranian ports since last month. Tensions increased further after a weekend drone attack on a nuclear power plant in the United Arab Emirates. Brent crude, the international benchmark, rose 1.9 percent to $111.31 per barrel. US benchmark crude gained 2.3 percent to $107.83 per barrel. Oil had been trading near $70 a barrel in late February before the conflict began. Analysts at ING Group said the risk of renewed escalation is increasing, despite some improvement in shipping activity around the Strait of Hormuz. The oil market is also reacting to the lack of progress following last week’s summit in Beijing between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping. The White House said both countries agreed that the Strait of Hormuz must remain open. Washington had hoped Beijing could use its close economic ties with Tehran to help broker a peace deal. In the bond market, the yield on the US 10-year Treasury note rose to about 4.63 percent, up from 4.47 percent last Thursday and nearly 4 percent before the conflict began. On Friday, the benchmark S&P 500 fell 1.2 percent from the record high it set a day earlier. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 1.1 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite lost 1.5 percent. In currency trading, the US dollar rose to 159.02 Japanese yen from 158.62 yen. The euro edged up to $1.1626 from $1.1622.  

Iran’s foreign minister Abbas Araghchi has said a lack of trust is the main obstacle in negotiations aimed at ending the war with the United States, while indicating that Tehran could welcome diplomatic support from countries such as China. Speaking to reporters in New Delhi on Friday, Araghchi said mixed and contradictory messages from Washington had raised doubts in Tehran about US intentions. “We are in doubt about their seriousness,” he said, adding that talks could move forward if the US agreed to a “fair and balanced deal.” His remarks came after US President Donald Trump dismissed Iran’s latest formal proposal as “garbage.” While reports suggested Iran had offered limited nuclear concessions, Trump has insisted on the removal of highly enriched uranium from the country to prevent any possibility of nuclear weapons development. Iran maintains that its nuclear programme is peaceful. Araghchi said the issue of enriched uranium remains one of the most difficult points in the negotiations. He noted that Russia had previously offered to take custody of Iran’s uranium stockpile, but said the proposal was not currently under active discussion, though it could be reconsidered later. On regional tensions, US officials said Israel and Lebanon had agreed to extend their ceasefire by 45 days to allow further negotiations on a broader peace deal. Despite the agreement, both sides have continued to exchange strikes, with casualties reported in southern Lebanon. Araghchi also said Iran would welcome diplomatic involvement from other countries, especially China, pointing to Beijing’s past role in restoring ties between Iran and Saudi Arabia. However, China has shown limited public interest in stepping into the US-led efforts, even as discussions on the issue continue. The Iranian minister’s comments came as tensions remain high over key strategic waterways, including the Strait of Hormuz, through which a significant portion of global oil shipments pass. The US and its allies have maintained pressure on Iran, while talks remain stalled. Separately, reports said a Chinese-owned vessel anchored near the United Arab Emirates was seized and taken toward Iranian waters for inspection and documentation. The operator said there were no injuries and that it was cooperating with authorities. The ship carried crew members from several Asian countries. In the Gulf region, the United Arab Emirates has also accelerated construction of a new oil pipeline aimed at reducing reliance on the Strait of Hormuz for exports, amid ongoing security concerns. Pakistan has meanwhile said it continues diplomatic efforts to ease regional tensions, describing the process as ongoing despite limited public details of progress.

Iran said Thursday it is examining a new US proposal aimed at ending the ongoing conflict, while US President Donald Trump warned Tehran of renewed military strikes if an agreement is not reached, including the reopening of the strategically important Strait of Hormuz. Global markets reacted positively to hopes that the two-month war could soon come to an end, despite heightened tensions after the US military targeted an Iranian oil tanker accused of attempting to violate Washington’s blockade on Iranian ports. Trump said in a social media post that oil and gas shipments disrupted by the conflict could resume if Iran agrees to a proposed deal, though he did not disclose details of the arrangement. “If they don’t agree, the bombing starts,” Trump warned. A fragile ceasefire between the US and Iran has mostly remained in place since April 8. However, direct talks hosted by Pakistan last month failed to produce a breakthrough. The conflict began on Feb. 28 after the US and Israel launched strikes on Iran. Pakistan Hopeful About AgreementPakistan expressed optimism that negotiations could soon yield results. “We expect an agreement sooner rather than later,” Pakistani Foreign Ministry spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said Thursday, adding that Islamabad hopes for a peaceful and lasting resolution benefiting both the region and global stability. He declined to provide details or a timeline regarding the diplomatic process. Conflicting Signals from WashingtonThe Trump administration’s messaging throughout the conflict has frequently shifted, especially regarding efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and bring the war to a close. Iran has effectively blocked the vital shipping route, disrupting the movement of oil, gas and petroleum products, while the US continues to enforce restrictions on Iranian ports. US Central Command said Wednesday that an American fighter jet disabled the rudder of an Iranian oil tanker in the Gulf of Oman after it allegedly attempted to breach the blockade. Trump Warns of Further Military ActionTrump insisted Iranian officials are eager to negotiate but warned that the US is prepared to escalate military action if talks fail. “We’re dealing with people that want to make a deal very much,” Trump said. According to Axios, the White House is nearing a preliminary one-page agreement with Tehran that could include limits on Iran’s uranium enrichment, easing US sanctions, release of frozen Iranian assets and reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. The White House has not officially commented on the report. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei told state television that Tehran strongly opposed the proposal outlined by Axios but confirmed Iran is still reviewing the latest American offer. Hormuz Crisis Continues to Disrupt Global TradeTrump recently suspended “Project Freedom,” a short-lived US operation aimed at securing safe passage for commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz. Only two US-flagged merchant ships reportedly used the guarded route after it opened earlier this week. The US military also said it destroyed six Iranian boats it claimed threatened civilian shipping. The closure of the strait has caused sharp increases in fuel prices and intensified pressure on the global economy, particularly for countries dependent on Gulf energy supplies, including China. Shipping giant Hapag-Lloyd said the disruption is costing the company around $60 million per week due to higher fuel and insurance expenses. Brent crude prices stabilized near $100 per barrel on Thursday amid uncertainty over whether the waterway would reopen. Meanwhile, French President Emmanuel Macron said France’s aircraft carrier strike group is moving toward the Red Sea in preparation for a possible joint French-British mission to restore maritime security in the Strait of Hormuz. China Calls for CeasefireChinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi called for a comprehensive ceasefire during talks in Beijing with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Wednesday. Wang said China was deeply concerned by the conflict, while the Trump administration has urged Beijing to use its close relationship with Tehran to help reopen the strategic waterway. Araghchi’s visit to China comes ahead of Trump’s planned trip to Beijing next week for a summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping. The Iranian minister said discussions covered the Strait of Hormuz, Iran’s nuclear activities and sanctions imposed by Washington. Trump continues to demand major restrictions on Iran’s nuclear program.

The White House announced that US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are set to visit Islamabad on Saturday for discussions related to Iran. However, an Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson denied any direct talks, stating that no meeting between Tehran and Washington is planned and that Iran’s position will instead be communicated through Pakistan. According to Al Jazeera’s correspondent in Islamabad, Pakistani mediators remain “cautiously optimistic” about the prospects of Iran-US engagement, following the arrival of Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in the capital during a regional tour. Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israeli forces retain “full freedom of action” in Lebanon, despite a three-week extension of the ceasefire, which Hezbollah has dismissed as meaningless due to ongoing Israeli strikes. The Israeli military reported killing six Hezbollah fighters in southern Lebanon. The Lebanese Health Ministry, however, said Israeli attacks since March 2 have left 2,491 people dead and 7,719 others injured. Readers are advised to follow the live tracker for updated casualty figures across the region.

Families across Iran are facing ongoing difficulties as schools remain closed, even after airstrikes have stopped under a fragile ceasefire. In Tehran, finance manager Mahnaz Ataei now takes her 7-year-old child to work and supervises his online classes while managing her job. Schools have been shut nationwide since the war began on Feb. 28, following attacks involving the United States and Israel, and authorities have yet to announce when in-person classes will resume. Although the immediate threat of airstrikes has eased, daily life remains disrupted. Many parents say balancing work and children’s online education has become a major challenge, similar to the difficulties seen during the COVID-19 pandemic. Ataei said her work suffers as she tries to focus on both her job and her child’s lessons, adding that she worries about whether he is learning properly. The conflict has killed at least 3,000 people in Iran, including over 165 in a strike on an elementary school. The ceasefire is expected to expire soon, with tensions still high over key issues such as Iran’s enriched uranium. Concerns also remain about the impact of a possible US naval blockade on the country’s already struggling economy. Many families who fled Tehran during the attacks are now returning, but the situation remains uncertain. Roya Amiri, a homemaker, recently came back to the capital after staying with relatives in a crowded house with about 15 people. She said the displacement disrupted routines and created tension, especially among children. Her younger son, who has a respiratory illness, also faced difficulties getting medicine. Schools initially closed after the attacks and briefly resumed online classes before the Nowruz holiday. Virtual learning restarted on April 4. Despite fears of renewed violence, Amiri said she preferred returning home. If conflict resumes, she plans to stay in Tehran. Another parent, Reza Jafari, said he moved his family to stay with relatives to escape the stress of explosions. While children adapted quickly to the new environment, adults struggled with lack of privacy, financial pressure and disrupted sleep. Meanwhile, working parents like architect Padideh Teymourian and her husband Amir Ramezani have had to reorganize their daily lives around their 6-year-old daughter’s online preschool. Teymourian said her office does not allow remote work, forcing her to take daily leave to help her daughter. Her husband adjusted his work schedule to stay home during the day, often returning late at night. The couple said the situation has created both financial and emotional strain, with little time left for family life. “We are just trying to get through each day until things return to normal,” Ramezani said.

Iran has reopened the Strait of Hormuz to commercial shipping, but warned it could shut it again if the United States continues blocking Iranian vessels and ports. In Beirut on April 18, officials said ships can pass through the key waterway—responsible for about 20% of global oil transport—but only along routes approved by Iran, indicating Tehran still maintains significant control. It remains unclear whether ships must pay fees. Data from a monitoring firm showed that traffic is still restricted to corridors requiring Iranian permission. U.S. President Donald Trump stated that the American blockade will stay in place until Iran reaches a broader agreement with Washington, including over its nuclear program. Although he initially welcomed Iran’s move, he quickly clarified that the blockade would continue until negotiations are fully concluded. Iranian leaders criticized the blockade as a breach of a recent ceasefire agreement and warned the strait could be closed again if U.S. restrictions persist. Since the blockade began, U.S. forces have reportedly turned back multiple Iranian ships. Trump indicated that new talks with Iran could take place soon, after earlier discussions failed to produce an agreement, particularly over nuclear issues. Optimism around potential negotiations led to a drop in oil prices, amid concerns that continued disruption in the strait could worsen the global energy situation. However, there were mixed signals within Iran itself, as some semi-official media outlets questioned the clarity and authority behind the decision to reopen the strait, suggesting it may still require approval from top leadership. Meanwhile, a ceasefire between Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah group in Lebanon appeared to be holding, which could ease broader tensions and support diplomatic efforts. Still, uncertainty remains about whether all parties will fully adhere to the truce, especially with Israeli troops still present in southern Lebanon. Despite the ceasefire, isolated violence continued, including an Israeli strike that caused casualties shortly after the truce began. Both sides have yet to confirm full compliance. The broader conflict has caused thousands of deaths across multiple countries, and key sticking points in ongoing mediation include Iran’s nuclear program, control of the Strait of Hormuz, and compensation for war damages. Trump also claimed Iran might concede on its enriched uranium stockpile—though this has not been confirmed by Iran or mediators.          

Iranian negotiators have reached Pakistan in preparation for crucial discussions with the United States scheduled for this weekend, according to Iranian state media. Their arrival follows comments from US President Donald Trump, who said he had wished Vice President JD Vance success as he travels to the region to lead the American delegation. Vance expressed cautious optimism, saying he is eager for the talks but warned that the US would not respond positively if Iran fails to negotiate sincerely or attempts to mislead. Adding uncertainty, Iran’s parliament speaker has insisted that a ceasefire in Lebanon must be secured before any negotiations can proceed, highlighting the complicated dynamics surrounding the talks, reports BBC. At the same time, Lebanese authorities report that their representatives are set to meet Israeli officials in Washington on Tuesday to discuss a possible ceasefire and the expansion of diplomatic efforts. However, Israel has clarified that these discussions will not involve any ceasefire agreement with Hezbollah, the militant group based in Lebanon. Confusion remains over whether the reported two-week ceasefire between the US and Iran extends to Lebanon, leaving key details unresolved.

Pakistan’s Prime Minister ‘Shehbaz Sharif’said on X that he had a “warm, substantive” conversation with ‘Iran’s President Pezeshkian’on Tuesday. “I expressed my sincere appreciation for the wisdom of the Iranian leadership in accepting Pakistan’s invitation to host peace talks in Islamabad later this week, aimed at jointly restoring regional peace,” he said. “President Pezeshkian confirmed Iran’s participation in the upcoming negotiations and thanked Pakistan for its efforts, also sending his best wishes to the people of Pakistan,” the prime minister added. Source: AL Jazeera  

Iran has dismissed US.President Donald Trump’s deadline to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, making clear it will not do so in exchange for a temporary ceasefire. A senior Iranian official told Reuters that Tehran sees no serious commitment from Washington toward a lasting truce and therefore will not agree to reopen the key shipping route under short-term arrangements. The official also confirmed that Iran has received a ceasefire proposal from Pakistan and is currently reviewing it. However, Tehran emphasized that it will not accept external pressure or imposed deadlines in making its decision. Meanwhile, tensions remain high in the region, with continued violence including recent casualties reported in the Israeli city of Haifa. Source Al Jazeera  

A draft proposal calling for a 45-day ceasefire and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz has been sent to Iran and the United States, according to two Middle Eastern officials who spoke anonymously to The Associated Press. The initiative, put forward by mediators from Egypt, Pakistan, and Turkey, aims to create a temporary halt in fighting to allow negotiations toward a lasting ceasefire. The proposal was delivered late Sunday to Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff, but neither side has issued a response. Meanwhile, violence continued across the region. Iranian state media reported that Maj. Gen. Majid Khademi, intelligence chief of the Revolutionary Guard, was killed in an attack allegedly carried out by the U.S. and Israel. Airstrikes across Iran since Sunday have left more than 25 people dead, while in the Israeli city of Haifa, at least two people were killed and others remain missing following Iranian missile strikes. U.S. President Donald Trump has intensified pressure on Tehran, warning of major attacks on Iran’s infrastructure if it fails to reopen the Strait of Hormuz by a set deadline. He has threatened strikes on key facilities, including power plants and bridges. The conflict, which began on February 28 with joint U.S.-Israel attacks on Iran, has already resulted in thousands of deaths and widespread destruction. It has also disrupted global oil shipments, driven up fuel prices, and raised concerns about violations of international law due to attacks on civilian areas. Despite diplomatic efforts, uncertainty remains over whether the proposed ceasefire will be accepted, as both sides continue military operations and maintain firm positions.