United News of Bangladesh

Crude oil prices surged sharply while global stocks fell, as investors reacted to the fallout from the US-Israeli attacks on Iran. Brent crude climbed as much as 13 percent in Asia on Monday morning before easing slightly, with the international benchmark trading around $76.48 per barrel by midday Tokyo time, up about 5 percent. Asian equities opened lower, with Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index down roughly 2 percent and Japan’s Nikkei 225 falling about 1.5 percent. In the US, stock futures—which trade outside regular market hours—showed notable declines, pointing to a volatile session ahead on Wall Street. Futures tracking the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite both fell roughly 0.7 percent. Iran continues to strike US assets across the Gulf after the killing of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and up to 40 top Iranian officials. The attacks have killed one person in Bahrain, with Iraq and Kuwait reporting more Iranian raids. Israel says it is striking at the ‘heart of Tehran’ and is launching attacks on Lebanon after Hezbollah fired a barrage of rockets at northern Israel. Iranian state media says Israeli attacks have killed at least 20 people in Tehran’s Niloofar Square and caused damage to the Gandhi Hospital and a police building.” Iran’s retaliatory strikes on Israel have hit the cities of Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, and killed at least nine people in the central city of Beit Shemesh. US President Donald Trump has warned that attacks on Iran will continue until all of Washington’s objectives are achieved, and has promised to avenge the deaths of three American soldiers. Source: Al jazeera

Global leaders have voiced deep concern following military strikes by Israel and the United States on Iran, and Tehran’s subsequent retaliation, warning of the risk of a wider regional conflict across the Middle East. The United Nations Human Rights Chief, Volker Türk, called for “restraint” and urged all parties to “see reason, to de-escalate, and for a return to the negotiating table.” “I deplore the military strikes across Iran this morning by Israel and the United States of America, and the subsequent retaliatory strikes by Iran,” he said, stressing that civilians ultimately bear the brunt of armed conflict. He reminded those involved that protecting civilians is “paramount” under international law. At least 51 students killed as US-Israel strikes on Iran escalate into regional crisis The European Union’s top diplomat, Kaja Kallas, described the latest developments as “perilous.” In a statement on X, she noted that the European Union has imposed strong sanctions on Iran and supported diplomatic solutions, including on the nuclear issue. She added that she had spoken to Israel’s and other regional foreign ministers, underscoring that the protection of civilians and adherence to international humanitarian law remain a priority. A spokesperson for the Government of the United Kingdom said London does not want to see “further escalation into a wider regional conflict.” The statement emphasised that the immediate priority is the safety of UK nationals in the region, adding that Britain stands ready to protect its interests. Tehran hits back across region after US and Israel attack Iran Prime Minister Keir Starmer chaired a meeting of the government’s emergency Cobra committee and is expected to hold a series of calls with allies. The BBC reported that the UK was not involved in the US-Israeli strikes. Germany said it had been informed of the attack in advance, with Chancellor Friedrich Merz consulting relevant security ministers. In Rome, the office of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said she had held a conference call with ministers and intelligence chiefs and would consult allies and regional leaders to support efforts aimed at easing tensions. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said his country supported the US in acting to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon and from continuing to threaten international peace and security. Meanwhile, Russia condemned the US-Israeli strikes, calling them a “reckless move.” The Russian foreign ministry said it was “condemnable” that the attacks were being carried out under what it described as the guise of renewed negotiations, referring to recent US-Iran nuclear talks. Moscow also urged the international community to assess what it termed “irresponsible actions aimed at undermining peace, stability, and security” in the region. As diplomatic activity intensifies, world leaders continue to call for restraint, warning that any further escalation could destabilise an already volatile Middle East.