United News of Bangladesh

Iran and the United States carried out fresh strikes across the Persian Gulf region on Wednesday, further testing an already fragile ceasefire and briefly forcing Kuwait to shut down its main international airport after a drone attack caused damage and casualties. Kuwait said its airport was partially shut after Iranian drones struck the passenger terminal, damaging the building and killing at least one person, according to officials. The airport later reopened in a limited capacity, with some flights resuming from an alternate terminal. The latest violence came as Iranian semi-official media reported that Tehran had stopped communicating with mediators over extending a ceasefire with the United States and Israel. However, a regional official involved in the talks said Iran wanted the truce in Lebanon enforced before returning to negotiations. US President Donald Trump insisted discussions were still ongoing. The repeated exchanges of attacks across the Gulf, along with the widening conflict in Lebanon involving Iran-backed Hezbollah, have further complicated ceasefire efforts that have already been dragging on for weeks. Kuwait’s Defence Ministry said “a number of hostile drones” hit the airport’s passenger building, causing heavy damage and injuries. Later, the foreign ministry confirmed at least one death. State media reported that Kuwait Airways suspended operations following the attack. Aviation authorities said the airport partially reopened later in the day, but operations remained severely restricted. The airport had only reopened earlier this week after being closed due to the ongoing conflict. The US military said Iran also fired missiles toward Kuwait, which broke apart mid-air, while American forces shot down multiple drones targeting US personnel in the country. It added that US and Bahraini forces intercepted additional missiles aimed at Bahrain, where Iran allegedly targeted areas near the US Navy’s 5th Fleet. Bahrain’s defence ministry said it destroyed several incoming missiles and drones. In response, the US said it struck an Iranian military ground control facility on Qeshm Island near the Strait of Hormuz, describing it as retaliation for attacks on Kuwait and Bahrain. Iran’s Revolutionary Guard confirmed it had targeted US military facilities, including the 5th Fleet headquarters in Bahrain, though it did not specifically mention Kuwait. It said its actions were in response to earlier US strikes. Iran’s Foreign Ministry condemned the US attack on Qeshm Island, calling it a violation of the ceasefire and describing it as an “act of aggression.” Amid rising tensions, an Emirati diplomat called for a united Gulf response, warning that the conflict threatens the entire region rather than any single country. Iranian news agencies reported that Tehran had paused communication with ceasefire mediators, linking the talks to conditions involving the conflict in Lebanon, where fighting involving Israel and Hezbollah has intensified. However, a regional mediator told The Associated Press that Iran had not responded to outreach efforts on Tuesday. President Trump rejected claims that negotiations had stopped, saying discussions had continued daily and urging Iran to reach a deal. “The conversations between us have been going on continuously… It’s time, one way or another, for you to make a deal,” Trump wrote on social media. The broader conflict has also become tied to Israel’s war in Lebanon, where Israeli forces have expanded operations despite a nominal ceasefire with Hezbollah. The situation has created friction between Washington and Israel, with the US urging restraint while Israel pushes for stronger military action. Reports also suggested a tense recent phone call between Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, though no official details were provided.

Gulf countries present a distinct opportunity for Bangladeshi agricultural product exporters. However, due to Bangladeshi exporters' lack of knowledge about food safety and sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) measures, regulatory compliances, and customer requirements, they are not able to capture the opportunities to export fresh fruits, vegetables, frozen, and other processed foods products. The US Agency for International Development (USAID)-led Feed the Future Bangladesh Trade Activity will publish a guideline on food safety requirements for fresh fruits and vegetables, and processed food to gulf countries. The Activity validated the content of a guidance document with input from food business operators, regulatory bodies, academicians, and trade associations Monday. The first two Easy Export publications focused on Bangladesh's regulatory requirements for exporting fresh fruits and vegetables and exporting food products to the European Union. Many small and medium enterprises, universities, and exporters are using the guidelines to open new export markets. The third Easy Export publication elaborates detailed guidelines on complying with Gulf countries' food safety standards. The publication includes information on the importance and obligation to follow the food safety standards to export fresh fruits and vegetables and processed food to the Gulf countries, the necessary process to identify each step of the products, starting from production to processing, and distribution. Read more: IFC giving $32.5 million to ensure food security in Bangladesh The Trade Activity will publish the guideline within the coming weeks. The US government initiative supports Bangladesh to bolster economic growth and food security by improving trade facilitation, enhancing market access, and improving the business-enabling market. The Activity provides technical assistance, training, institutional strengthening, and other direct support to the Bangladesh government and non-governmental partners. It also promotes greater collaboration among the government, private sector, and civil society organisations.

A Chinese envoy said Monday that China is committed to playing a constructive role in maintaining peace and stability in the Middle East and the Gulf region.