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Rohingya crisis

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  PM seeks OIC support to resolve Rohingya crisis Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today sought support from member states of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation to help resolve the Rohingya crisis. He made the appeal when ambassadors and high commissioners of OIC member countries stationed in Dhaka paid a courtesy call on him at his Cabinet Division office at the Bangladesh Secretariat this afternoon, according to Prime Minister’s Deputy Press Secretary Jahidul Islam Rony. During the meeting, the envoys congratulated Tarique Rahman on assuming office as Prime Minister. The OIC member states also reaffirmed their strong commitment to standing beside Bangladesh and strengthening bilateral cooperation in several sectors, including investment, trade, education, healthcare, textiles, and the pharmaceutical industry. Rony said the Prime Minister welcomed their remarks and, on behalf of the government and the people of Bangladesh, thanked the OIC countries for their continued support. T...
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US Awaits Iran Response to Latest Peace Proposal

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US Awaits Iran Response to Latest Peace Proposal

The United States said on Thursday it was awaiting Iran’s response to Washington’s latest proposal aimed at ending the Middle East war and reopening the crucial Gulf shipping route.

Asian stock markets surged while oil prices dropped after President Donald Trump said recent discussions had been positive and suggested a possible agreement could be near. Iran also confirmed it would convey its latest position through mediator Pakistan.

A prolonged ceasefire between the United States and Iran could also help ease tensions in Lebanon, where an already fragile truce with Israel has come under renewed pressure following an Israeli strike in southern Beirut that killed a Hezbollah commander.

The conflict, launched by the United States and Israel in late February, has triggered retaliatory Iranian attacks across the Middle East and disrupted traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital corridor for global oil and gas exports.

Earlier this week, Trump briefly ordered a naval escort mission to secure commercial shipping through the strait, but the operation was suspended within hours amid signs of diplomatic progress. The negotiations have been mediated by Pakistan with backing from Gulf Arab allies of Washington.

Inside Iran, however, concerns are growing over increased government repression as the conflict continues.

“The economic situation got worse, and this government has become even more brutal,” a 49-year-old Iranian identified only as Ali told AFP from the city of Tonekabon, speaking anonymously out of fear of reprisals.

Proposal ‘Under Review’

“We’ve had very good talks over the last 24 hours, and it’s very possible that we’ll make a deal,” Trump told reporters on Wednesday, while again warning that military action could resume if Tehran rejects U.S. demands.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said the American proposal was still “under review” and that Tehran would communicate its position to Pakistan after completing internal consultations.

According to a report by NBC News, Trump’s decision to halt the Hormuz naval operation came after Saudi Arabia reportedly refused to allow U.S. forces to use its airspace and military bases. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is said to have spoken directly with Trump.

Meanwhile, Axios reported that Tehran and Washington were nearing agreement on a one-page memorandum of understanding that would end the war and establish a framework for future negotiations on Iran’s nuclear programme.

Trump has repeatedly claimed that divisions exist within Iran’s leadership following the deaths of several senior officials in U.S. and Israeli strikes.

However, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Thursday that he had met Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, who has largely stayed out of public view since assuming office in March.

“What struck me most during this meeting was the vision and the humble and sincere approach of the supreme leader of the Islamic revolution,” Pezeshkian said in remarks broadcast on state television.

Khamenei, who was reportedly wounded in strikes during the early days of the conflict that also killed his father and predecessor Ali Khamenei, has issued only written statements since taking office.

Oil Prices Drop as Markets Rally

Oil prices continued to decline on Thursday, falling by around two percent after already dropping nearly 10 percent over the previous two days. Japan’s Nikkei 225 led a broader rally across Asian markets as investors grew optimistic that diplomacy could succeed.

Although energy prices remain above pre-war levels, both Brent crude and U.S. benchmark West Texas Intermediate have now fallen below the symbolic USD 100 per barrel mark.

Global markets remain highly sensitive to developments in the Strait of Hormuz, which normally handles around one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments.

Meanwhile, on the Lebanese front, Israel carried out an airstrike on Beirut’s southern suburbs on Wednesday — the first such strike in nearly a month — killing a senior commander from Hezbollah’s elite Radwan force.

In a video statement, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared: “No terrorist is immune. Anyone who threatens the State of Israel will die because of his actions.”

The Israeli military also said an explosive drone strike in southern Lebanon wounded four Israeli soldiers on Wednesday, including one seriously injured.

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