United News of Bangladesh

Israeli forces continued attacks in southern Lebanon on Thursday, with reports of ongoing artillery shelling and air strikes, according to local sources. Earlier, the Israeli military reportedly warned residents south of the Zahrani River in southern Lebanon to move north amid escalating tensions in the area. At the same time, Israel’s Home Front Command said air raid sirens were activated in northern regions after rocket fire was detected coming from Lebanon.  #From Middle East Eye

Anthony Albanese said his government has secured an additional 100 million litres of diesel from Brunei and South Korea to strengthen fuel security amid global supply concerns. Speaking to reporters during a visit to Malaysia, the Australian prime minister said the fuel will arrive in two separate shipments. He noted that one consignment will come from Brunei, where he had visited earlier, while the other will be supplied by South Korea. Albanese said the move is aimed at boosting Australia’s fuel reserves during ongoing global shortages and supply uncertainties. #From Al Jazeera

A second US-sanctioned supertanker has entered the Gulf through the Strait of Hormuz, according to shipping data cited by Reuters. Maritime intelligence data from LSEG and Kpler showed that the empty very large crude carrier (VLCC) RHN entered the Gulf on Wednesday. The vessel, capable of carrying up to two million barrels of oil, is currently heading to an undisclosed destination. Earlier on Wednesday, Iran’s Fars News Agency reported that an Iranian supertanker sanctioned by the United States had crossed the strait and reached the direction of Imam Khomeini port, despite what it described as a blockade. The developments come amid heightened tensions in the region following the reported US naval operation in the area. The US Central Command previously said that 10 vessels had been turned back and none had breached the blockade since the operation began on Monday.  #By Al Jazeera

Stephen Miller, a White House adviser and top Trump aide, told Fox News in an interview that the US could continue its blockade of Iranian ports “indefinitely”. US and Iranian officials ended talks in Islamabad last week without reaching any agreement. President Trump has now imposed a naval blockade of Iran’s ports, aiming to choke Tehran’s economy. Miller told the US broadcaster that Trump was “a man of peace”, but added that the US has made its position clear: “America will not be bullied, and America will never, ever, be threatened by a nuclear-armed Iran. Not now. Not ever.” “A military operation could wipe out their energy infrastructure for generations. He’s made clear he doesn’t want to do that. He wants Iran to choose the right path to make a deal,” said Miller. “This embargo is squeezing the economic life out of the Iranian regime, and the United States has the capacity to continue this indefinitely, if Iran chooses the wrong path.” #From Al Jazeera

Israeli forces carried out a series of military operations across the occupied West Bank over the past 24 hours, involving raids, arrests and measures to secure access for Israeli settlers to sensitive sites, according to reports from sources on the ground. In Nablus, troops launched a large-scale operation in the eastern part of the city to facilitate the entry of settler buses to Prophet Joseph’s Tomb. Clashes erupted during the raid, with Israeli forces reportedly using live ammunition. A military checkpoint was also set up on al-Badhan Road, causing major disru1111ption to traffic. In Qalqilya, Israeli troops stormed the city following reports that an Israeli special unit had entered the area. A young Palestinian man was arrested. Forces also raided the nearby town of Ras Atiya, south of the city. In the Ramallah area, Israeli forces entered the village of Kafr Nima, located to the west. Overall, at least 25 Palestinians, including one woman, were arrested in different parts of the West Bank during the operations, according to local sources. Separately, violence by settlers was also reported. In Wadi Abbas, a young Palestinian man was injured in an alleged settler attack. Near Hebron, a Palestinian man and a boy required medical treatment after reportedly being sprayed with pepper spray by settlers. #From Al Jazeera

Israel’s top military commander Eyal Zamir has said the army has approved plans to continue its operations in both Lebanon and Iran. He said Israeli forces, alongside the United States, had carried out strikes on Iran, significantly weakening its capabilities. “We have struck Iran hard, stripped them of their defensive capabilities and weakened them,” Zamir said. He added that Israel would not allow Iran to gain any advantage regarding its nuclear programme, the Strait of Hormuz, or other key issues. “Now we must not allow them any achievements on the nuclear issue, in Hormuz and in the other matters on the table,” he said, adding that the military is capable of launching immediate and powerful strikes when needed. Referring to Lebanon, Zamir said Israeli operations in the southern part of the country are ongoing. “We are capturing and clearing key areas and removing threats from the northern settlements,” he added. Source: Al Jazeera 

Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund Kristalina Georgieva on Wednesday expressed hope that the ceasefire between the United States and Iran will pave the way for a durable peace. Speaking to reporters during the IMF–World Bank Spring Meetings in Washington, Georgieva said the discussions this week are focused on how the Fund can better support countries grappling with the energy shock triggered by the conflict. She said the IMF is particularly concerned about disruptions to global supply chains caused by the war involving Iran, according to Reuters. Georgieva noted that several Asian countries are already facing shortages of key energy and industrial inputs, including oil, gas, naphtha and helium, due to the ongoing crisis. #From Middle East Eye

The timing for a second round of talks between the United States and Iran remains unclear, amid ongoing diplomatic efforts to revive negotiations. According to circulating reports, Pakistan’s army chief is currently in Iran leading a high-level delegation to deliver a message from Washington to Tehran, signalling continued indirect engagement between the two sides. Sources said discussions are also focusing on setting a suitable timeframe to resume talks, along with addressing key issues related to a potential ceasefire. For Iran, concerns remain over the implementation of previous ceasefire arrangements, particularly in Lebanon, which it believes were not fully honoured. Another major issue is the release of Iran’s frozen assets, which officials consider a critical condition for re-entering formal negotiations. #From Al Jazeera

US President Donald Trump has claimed that China is pleased with his efforts to “permanently open” the Strait of Hormuz and that the two countries are working together on the issue. In a post on social media, Trump said China was “very happy” with the move, adding that reopening the key shipping route would benefit both Beijing and the rest of the world. “I am permanently opening the Strait of Hormuz. I am doing it for them also — and the world. This situation will never happen again,” he said. There has been no immediate response from China regarding Trump’s remarks.   #From Al Jazeera

US President Donald Trump said he has asked Chinese President Xi Jinping not to supply weapons to Iran, adding that Beijing has denied any such involvement. In an interview with Fox Business, Trump said he had written to Xi after hearing reports that China might be providing arms to Iran. “I had heard that China is giving weapons to Iran,” Trump said, adding that he sent a letter urging Xi to refrain from doing so. According to Trump, the Chinese leader responded in writing, stating that China was not supplying weapons to Iran. Meanwhile, several US media outlets have reported that American intelligence assessments suggested China was preparing to ship advanced weaponry to Iran, raising concerns in Washington. #By Al Jazeera