United News of Bangladesh

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is set to travel to Beijing today for talks with his Chinese counterpart. In a brief statement, Iran’s Foreign Ministry said Araghchi will meet Wang Yi to discuss bilateral relations as well as regional and international developments. The visit comes amid a continued stalemate between the United States and Iran in negotiations aimed at ending the devastating war launched against Iran by Israel and the US on February 28. Israel warns of strikes on 12 Lebanon towns, tells residents to flee China has positioned itself as an active diplomatic player in the crisis, leveraging its longstanding policy of noninterference in internal affairs and maintaining working relations with all parties involved in the conflict. Source: Al Jazeera

US President Donald Trump has warned that Iran would be “blown off the face of the Earth” if it attacks American vessels involved in “Project Freedom” in the Strait of Hormuz. In an interview with media, Trump said he believes Iran has become “much more malleable” in ongoing peace negotiations, while stressing that the United States continues to expand its military presence in the region. “We have more weapons and ammunition at a much higher grade than we had before,” Trump told Fox News correspondent Trey Yingst. Trump says US holding ‘very positive discussions’ with Iran over war He added that the US possesses advanced equipment and maintains well-stocked military bases across the world, which could be deployed if necessary. Source: Al Jazeera

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has arrived in Islamabad as part of a three-country tour amid ongoing diplomatic efforts involving the United States and Pakistan, while conflicting statements have emerged over planned Iran-US talks. The White House said US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner will travel to Islamabad for talks with Iran. However, an Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson said “no meeting is planned to take place between Iran and the US”, adding that Tehran’s “observations would be conveyed by Pakistan”. Commercial flights resume at Tehran airport after two months Pakistani mediators remain “cautiously optimistic” about the prospects of Iran-US engagement following Araghchi’s arrival in the Pakistani capital, says report. The Iranian side has maintained that no trilateral meeting with the United States is scheduled, rejecting the US version of events. Tehran has also insisted that a key sticking point remains the demand for the complete opening of the Strait of Hormuz and an end to what it describes as a US blockade, while Washington has not indicated any willingness to lift restrictions. Despite the disagreement, Pakistani officials said the ongoing presence of all sides reflects progress in behind-the-scenes diplomacy. They described the process as “relentless diplomacy” involving continuous engagement from multiple parties. According to diplomatic sources, in the past 24 hours Pakistan has held separate discussions not only with Iran but also with Russia. Officials said Moscow is expected to be another stop on the Iranian foreign minister’s tour after leaving Pakistan. While the situation remains at a stalemate, mediators in Islamabad believe continued shuttle diplomacy could help keep dialogue efforts alive between Tehran and Washington. Source- Al Jazeera

The White House has said Iran is seeking direct talks with the United States, while President Donald Trump has expressed willingness to allow diplomacy to proceed, according to officials. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters that “Iranians want to talk in person,” adding that the US president was ready to “give diplomacy a chance.” She further said Vice President JD Vance would remain on standby in Washington and could be deployed to Pakistan “if we feel it’s a necessary use of his time.” Iran's Araghchi heads to Islamabad in step towards US talks resumption In a separate briefing, Leavitt announced that US President Donald Trump’s Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and his son-in-law Jared Kushner will travel to Pakistan on Saturday morning for talks related to Iran. The White House did not provide further details on the agenda of the discussions, but confirmed that the visit is part of ongoing diplomatic efforts involving regional stakeholders. Officials indicated that Washington is keeping multiple channels open as it explores the possibility of engagement with Tehran through indirect and direct formats. Source: Al Jazeera

Iran has said it will continue talks in Islamabad as long as the United States lifts its blockade, according to sources. The extension of the ceasefire has been seen as a positive signal, although mixed indications are still emerging from Tehran. The situation can be described through three key factors. First, ambiguity, as time had been running out but the ceasefire extension has now created space, while the risk of renewed confrontation still remains. Second, breakability, with expectations of unpredictability and uncertainty being the only constant at present. 34 Iran-linked tankers slipped past US Hormuz blockade: Report Third, complexity, as discussions involve extending the ceasefire alongside potential diplomatic engagement, despite major unresolved issues. These include the Strait of Hormuz, Iran’s nuclear dossier, sanctions relief, frozen assets, ballistic missile programme, war reparations, and regional relations. The positions of both sides remain significantly apart on these matters. Sources indicate that the issue has moved beyond mistrust, now reflecting deep suspicion over any possible rapprochement with the United States. Source- Al Jazeera

US President Donald Trump has said he is “ready to go” back to war with Iran if no agreement is reached by the end of the ceasefire scheduled for tomorrow. Meanwhile, Pakistan’s information minister said Iran’s response on whether it will send a delegation to meet US officials is still awaited, as diplomatic efforts to end the US-Israel conflict with Iran remain uncertain. Earlier, Tehran said it would not enter negotiations under the “shadow of threats” or under a US naval blockade. Vance to travel to Pakistan on Tuesday for Iran talks Source: Al Jazeera

The United States military seized an Iranian container vessel, Touska, near the Gulf in the early hours of Monday, sharply escalating tensions just hours before Washington is set to dispatch negotiators to Pakistan for talks aimed at ending the ongoing conflict. According to the US Central Command (CENTCOM) and former President Donald Trump, the vessel was targeted after it allegedly refused to comply with US instructions to withdraw from its intended route through the Strait of Hormuz. The US has been enforcing a naval blockade in the area since last Monday. Iran says no plans yet to attend US talks Iran condemned the incident, describing the attack and seizure as an act of “piracy,” and warned of retaliation. Within hours of the development, Tehran announced that it would not send its negotiators to Islamabad for the planned talks with the United States. The seizure of the Iranian ship is seen as a significant development with potential implications for ongoing diplomatic efforts and regional stability. Source: Al Jazeera

Houthis said they are on high alert to respond to any potential attacks against Yemen, according to a senior official. Major-General Mohammed al-Atifi, defence minister of the Houthi-led government, said the group is prepared to confront “any aggression against the Yemeni people.” In a statement, he said the latest phase of the conflict involving what he described as the “Zionist and American enemy” demonstrated unity among allied fronts and highlighted the effectiveness of military operations carried out by the so-called axis of resistance. The Houthis formally joined the US-Israel war involving Iran in late March, launching multiple long-range ballistic missile and drone attacks targeting Israel, opening a new front in the conflict. The group has vowed to continue its attacks until the war ends, using its arsenal to strike sensitive military sites and warning that operations could expand to maritime traffic in the Red Sea. Source- Al Jazeera

Iran has said it will not reopen the strategic Strait of Hormuz to full international shipping unless the United States lifts its naval blockade on Iranian ports, escalating tensions in an already volatile Middle East. Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh said no date has been set for a new round of face-to-face negotiations with Washington, criticising the US for maintaining what he described as “maximalist” demands in the ongoing standoff. On the other side, US President Donald Trump signalled no immediate shift in policy, stating that the naval blockade would remain in force until a deal is reached. He also warned that Washington would not be “blackmailed” by Tehran, underscoring the widening gap between the two sides. Bangladesh faces acute energy crunch after Hormuz closure The Strait of Hormuz, a vital global oil transit chokepoint, has long been a flashpoint in US-Iran relations, and any disruption threatens to impact global energy markets and maritime security. Meanwhile, regional tensions have further intensified. Israel has launched fresh attacks on southern Lebanon despite a ceasefire, saying it has established what it calls a “yellow line” similar to its previous operational boundaries in Gaza. French President Emmanuel Macron has blamed Hezbollah for an હુમে that killed a French peacekeeping soldier in Lebanon. However, the armed group has denied responsibility for the incident. The latest developments highlight a deepening crisis across the region, with diplomatic efforts stalled and military actions continuing on multiple fronts. For the latest casualty figures and updates, readers are advised to follow live trackers monitoring the situation across the Middle East.

US President Donald Trump said Washington will obtain all of Iran’s enriched uranium as part of an anticipated agreement, while maintaining that no financial exchange would be involved. In a post on social media, Trump referred to Iran’s enriched uranium as “nuclear dust” and said the United States would take possession of it, reports Al Jazeera. He added that no money would be exchanged “in any way, shape, or form” and that the arrangement would not be linked to developments in Lebanon. Iran, US say Strait of Hormuz is fully open to commercial vessels In a separate post, Trump said the Strait of Hormuz is “completely open and ready for business,” but noted that a US naval blockade on Iran would remain in place until a final deal is reached. “The naval blockade will remain in full force and effect as it pertains to Iran, only, until such time as our transaction with Iran is 100% complete,” he said, adding that the process “should go very quickly” as most key points have already been negotiated.