United News of Bangladesh

Bangladesh has requested Deputy Foreign Minister of Iran Saeed Khatibzadeh to use his good offices to facilitate the safe passage of the Bangladesh-flagged vessel ‘Banglar Joyjatra’ through the Strait of Hormuz. "We were very thankful when Iran included Bangladesh among the six countries whose vessels would be permitted to cross Hormuz," Foreign Minister Dr. Khalilur Rahman told the Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister during a recent meeting on the sidelines of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum in Turkiye.  The Deputy Foreign Minister of Iran followed up on the matter immediately and informed the Bangladesh Foreign Minister on Sunday night that while the situation continues to remain tense, necessary directives have been given to the authorities concerned in Iran.  The two leaders will continue to maintain communication on the matter, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday.  Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur is currently visiting Brussels, Belgium. Bangladesh and Iran exchanged views on the evolving situation in the Gulf region and other issues of mutual interest. During the meeting, the Foreign Minister reiterated Bangladesh’s ‘consistent and balanced position’ on the ongoing developments, underscoring the importance of restraint by all parties and the resolution of differences through dialogue and diplomacy.  The Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister appreciated Bangladesh’s constructive stance and expressed hope that the Foreign Minister of Bangladesh would visit Tehran at a mutually convenient time. Earlier, on 5 April 2026 in Dhaka, Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur held a meeting with Jalil Rahimi Jahanabadi, Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Bangladesh, and requested facilitation of safe passage for Banglar Joyjatra as well as another Bangladesh-bound vessel carrying crude oil.  The Ambassador conveyed that the Iranian authorities were being approached at appropriate levels in this regard. He also appreciated Bangladesh’s balanced stance on the current crisis and expressed gratitude to the Government of Bangladesh for adopting a condolence motion on the opening day of the 13th Parliament session following the targeted assassination of the late Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khameini.  He thanked the government for deputing Secretary (Bilateral) of Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Md. Nazrul Islam, to sign the condolence book at the Embassy of Iran on its behalf.  The Iranian Ambassador also conveyed appreciation for the Bangladesh government’s actions to facilitate dispatch of emergency medical supplies to Iran by the Bangladesh Red Crescent Society Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur noted at that meeting he had addressed an official letter to Iranian Foreign Minister thanking him for the support extended by the Government of Iran to safe passage of 186 Bangladeshis from Iran to Azerbaijan.

A fragile ceasefire in the Iran war came under pressure on Thursday as disagreements over Lebanon, the Strait of Hormuz and other key issues cast doubt on whether the truce will hold. Just hours after the ceasefire was announced, confusion emerged over whether it covered fighting between Israel and Hezbollah. Soon after, Israel launched heavy airstrikes on Beirut, marking the deadliest day in Lebanon since the conflict began on Feb. 28. Iran and the United States, both claiming success after the truce, appeared to be increasing pressure on each other. Iranian semiofficial media suggested that forces may have planted sea mines in the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global oil route, highlighting Tehran’s strategic leverage. Meanwhile, President Donald Trump warned that US forces would carry out stronger attacks if Iran fails to honour the deal. However, major questions remain unresolved. These include whether Lebanon is part of the ceasefire, the future of Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile, when normal shipping will resume through the strait, and limits on Iran’s missile capabilities. Iran’s nuclear chief Mohammad Eslami said protecting the country’s right to enrich uranium is essential for any agreement with Washington. Speaking in Tehran, he criticised the US for not recognising enrichment as part of Iran’s proposed plan for a lasting ceasefire. Talks between the US and Iran are expected to take place in Pakistan this weekend. Violence in Lebanon has further threatened the truce. At least 182 people were killed on Wednesday as Israel intensified strikes on Hezbollah positions in Beirut. Rescue teams continued searching through rubble for survivors. Israel said it killed Ali Yusuf Harshi, an aide to Hezbollah leader Naim Kassem, though Hezbollah has not commented. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi insisted that halting the war in Lebanon was part of the ceasefire, but Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Trump rejected that claim. A New York-based think tank warned the agreement is close to collapse, saying Israel’s large-scale strikes could be seen as escalating tensions, regardless of whether Lebanon is formally included. Lebanon’s state news agency reported that an Israeli strike killed at least seven people in the south overnight, though Israel has not confirmed it. Uncertainty over the Strait of Hormuz continues to push global oil prices higher. Iranian media published a map indicating a “danger zone” in the waterway, suggesting the presence of sea mines during the conflict. Shipping traffic through the strait has dropped sharply, with only a few vessels passing since the war began due to security concerns. Although prices briefly fell after the ceasefire announcement, they rose again as doubts grew. Brent crude stood at around $98 on Thursday, up about 35% since the conflict started. Iran has said it will allow ships to pass under international law once US military actions stop and Israel halts attacks in Lebanon. Trump said US forces would remain deployed near Iran until a “real agreement” is fully implemented, warning of stronger military action if commitments are not met. The White House said Vice President JD Vance will lead the US delegation in upcoming talks in Islamabad starting Saturday. Key sticking points include Iran’s plan to potentially charge ships using the strait, which would challenge its status as an international waterway, and the future of Iran’s nuclear and missile programmes. While the US wants Iran to abandon any ability to develop nuclear weapons and remove its stockpile of highly enriched uranium, Tehran maintains its programme is for peaceful purposes. Trump said the US may work with Iran to remove the uranium, though Tehran has not confirmed this. In its own version of the agreement, Iran indicated it would continue uranium enrichment.

France and Italy have begun discussions with Tehran in an effort to ensure the safe passage of their vessels through the Strait of Hormuz, the Financial Times reported. Citing three sources familiar with the matter, the report said the two European countries are trying to negotiate an arrangement with Iran that would guarantee safe navigation for their ships through the crucial maritime route. The talks remain at an early and tentative stage, the report added. The effort comes as European states seek to revive oil and gas exports from the Middle East amid heightened regional tensions. Al Jazeera said it could not independently verify the report. Separately, Reuters reported that France is also working to assemble a broader international coalition aimed at securing the Strait of Hormuz once the security situation improves. According to two French officials cited by Reuters, Paris has been consulting European, Asian and Gulf Arab countries on a plan that could involve deploying warships to escort oil tankers through the narrow waterway. The strait is a vital corridor for global energy supplies. Data from the Germany-based CESifo Research Network shows that in 2024 about 6.2 percent of crude oil and 8.7 percent of liquefied natural gas imported from non-EU countries passed through the passage.

Several leading oil producers and trading firms have temporarily halted fuel shipments through the Strait of Hormuz following escalating attacks in the region, according to media reports. A senior executive at a major trading company told Reuters that their vessels would remain stationary for the next few days as a precautionary measure, reports Al Jazeera. Roughly 20 million barrels of crude oil and other petroleum products pass daily through the narrow but strategically vital corridor between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. Any prolonged disruption in shipments through the waterway could trigger significant turbulence in global energy markets, analysts warn. US-Israel attack on Iran: How world reacts