Wars 2026 02/28 Israel-Iran War 3.0

[Saif]

White House denies considering nuclear strikes on Iran

The White House denied Tuesday that remarks by Vice President JD Vance about military operations in Iran had contained any suggestion of a US nuclear strike against Iran

en.prothomalo.com

White House denies considering nuclear strikes on Iran
AFP
Washington, United States
Published: 07 Apr 2026, 21: 42

A view of the White House in Washington, US, on 20 July 2024.Reuters

The White House denied Tuesday that remarks by Vice President JD Vance about military operations in Iran had contained any suggestion of a US nuclear strike against the Islamic republic.

After Vance said US forces have tools they "so far haven''t decided to use" to enforce a dramatic ultimatum from President Donald Trump, the White House said on X: "Literally nothing @VP said here ''implies'' this, you absolute buffoons."

The post was in response to one from an account associated with former vice president Kamala Harris that said Vance implied Trump "might use nuclear weapons."​

 

[Saif]

US, Iran agree to two-week ceasefire

After more than a month of blistering attacks by the United States and Israel, Iran said it had agreed to talks with Washington to begin Friday in Pakistan on a path to end the conflict.

www.thedailystar.net

US, Iran agree to two-week ceasefire

AFP

The statue of the 7th US President Andrew Jackson is seen in the background as demonstrators protest against US military action in Iran near the White House in Washington, DC, on April 7, 2026. Photo: AFP

The United States and Iran agreed to a two-week ceasefire Tuesday barely an hour before President Donald Trump's deadline to obliterate the rival country was set to expire, with Tehran to temporarily reopen the vital Strait of Hormuz.

After more than a month of blistering attacks by the United States and Israel, Iran said it had agreed to talks with Washington to begin Friday in Pakistan on a path to end the conflict.

Trump said he had spoken to Pakistan's leaders who "requested that I hold off the destructive force being sent tonight to Iran."

"Subject to the Islamic Republic of Iran agreeing to the COMPLETE, IMMEDIATE, and SAFE OPENING of the Strait of Hormuz, I agree to suspend the bombing and attack of Iran for a period of two weeks," Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi confirmed safe passage for two weeks for ships through the Strait of Hormuz, the gateway for one-fifth of the world's oil which Tehran sealed off in retaliation for the war launched on Febraury 28.

"If attacks against Iran are halted, our Powerful Armed Forces will cease their defensive operations," Araghchi said.

Trump said that the United States was "very far along" in negotiating a long-term agreement with Iran, which had submitted a 10-point plan that he said was "workable."

But Iran publicly released points that took maximalist positions including lifting longstanding sanctions, guaranteeing the country's "dominion" over the Strait of Hormuz and removing US forces from the region.

The price of oil quickly fell sharply after Trump's announcement of the ceasefire. Costs at the pump had risen sharply since the war for ordinary Americans, putting heavy political pressure on Trump.

- Threats of possible war crimes -

There was no immediate response from Israel, which had encouraged Trump into the war against Iran, whose ruling Shia clerics support anti-Israel armed groups around the Middle East.

Trump had set a deadline to Iran to open the Strait of Hormuz by 8:00 pm Washington time (midnight GMT), or 3:30 am in Tehran, for Iran.

He had earlier threatened to destroy all power plants and bridges across the country of 90 million people -- a war crime against sites that are primarily of civilian usage.

Trump had also made threats shocking even by his own provocative standards that brought warnings that he was encouraging genocide -- potentially one day leading to war crimes charges against US servicemembers who comply.

"A whole civilization will die tonight, never to be brought back again. I don't want that to happen, but it probably will," Trump had written.

The rhetoric was an escalation from a profanity-laden post two days earlier, on Easter Sunday.

Pope Leo XIV said that "this threat against all the people of Iran" was "truly unacceptable."

- Pakistani mediation -

Pakistan, which has forged a close relationship with Trump and is sensitive to developments in neighboring Iran, has put itself forward as a mediator.

"Diplomatic efforts for peaceful settlement of the ongoing war in the Middle East are progressing steadily, strongly and powerfully," Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said as he publicly encouraged Trump to postpone the attacks.

The United States and Israel struck key infrastructure even before Trump's deadline, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirming attacks on railways and bridges he said were used by the Revolutionary Guards.

The Israeli military also offered a rare statement of regret after it acknowledged damaging a synagogue in Tehran, saying it had been targeting a senior Iranian commander.

Iran, run by Shia Muslim clerics, is home to around 100 synagogues for its historic Jewish minority.

Infrastructure attacks reported by Iranian authorities Tuesday included a US-Israeli strike on a bridge outside the city of Qom and another on a rail bridge in central Iran that killed two people.

- Death 'not a joke' -

University student Metanat, whose classmate was killed two weeks ago in an attack, told AFP before Trump's suspension of the bombing she felt "terrified and so should everyone else in the country".

The 27-year-old, who declined to give her last name, said as far as Trump's ultimatums were concerned, "some people think they are a joke", but "death is not a joke."

State media published photos purporting to show groups of Iranians forming human chains to protect power plants.

The show of patriotism in the face of attacks came several months after Iran's cleric-run government cracked down violently on mass protests, with rights groups reporting thousands of deaths.

A peace agreement, if realized, would leave in place the Islamic republic despite hopes by Israel and the United States of toppling it.

The United States and Israel said that they attacked Iran to degrade its military capacity. Trump has alleged that Iran was near building an atomic bomb, an assertion not backed by the UN nuclear watchdog and most observers.

Iran has responded to the war by striking Gulf Arab states that host US troops. Israel in turn has launched a major offensive into Lebanon, vowing to control land from which Iranian-linked Hezbollah has fired rockets.​

 

[Saif]

Bangladesh welcomes Middle East ceasefire, calls for lasting peace

Bangladesh has welcomed the two-week ceasefire between the United States and Iran, expressing hope that all sides will honour the truce. In a statement on Wednesday, the foreign ministry described the pause as “an encouraging development towards de-escalation in the region”. “Ba

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Bangladesh welcomes Middle East ceasefire, calls for lasting peace

bdnews24.com
Published :
Apr 08, 2026 19:10
Updated :
Apr 08, 2026 19:10

Bangladesh has welcomed the two-week ceasefire between the United States and Iran, expressing hope that all sides will honour the truce.

In a statement on Wednesday, the foreign ministry described the pause as “an encouraging development towards de-escalation in the region”.

“Bangladesh hopes that all parties involved will respect the ceasefire and utilise this opportunity constructively to work towards a durable and sustainable resolution and restore lasting peace and stability across the region.”

The government also praised diplomatic efforts that helped secure the ceasefire.

“Bangladesh appreciates all parties involved in the diplomatic efforts in facilitating the ceasefire,” the statement said.​

Reaffirming its stance, the ministry added: “All disputes can and should be resolved peacefully through dialogue and diplomacy.”

 

[Saif]

What the US, Iran, Israel and Pakistan have said about the ceasefire

The United States, Israel and Iran have agreed to a two-week ceasefire, reached with Pakistani mediation, and US and Iranian officials are expected to hold talks on Friday to discuss a long-term settlement. While Tehran and Washington have agreed to talks, Iran’s 10-point proposals - which U

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

What the US, Iran, Israel and Pakistan have said about the ceasefire

REUTERS
Published :
Apr 08, 2026 21:45
Updated :
Apr 08, 2026 21:45

People walk on a street after US President Donald Trump said that he had agreed to a two-week ceasefire with Iran, in Tehran, Iran, Apr 8, 2026. Photo : Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via REUTERS

The United States, Israel and Iran have agreed to a two-week ceasefire, reached with Pakistani mediation, and US and Iranian officials are expected to hold talks on Friday to discuss a long-term settlement.

While Tehran and Washington have agreed to talks, Iran’s 10-point proposals - which US President Donald Trump said offered a “workable basis” for negotiations - show little overlap with a 15-point plan Washington previously put forward, suggesting there will be major gaps to bridge.

For example, Iran’s proposal includes a demand to enrich uranium, which Washington previously ruled out. The 10 points also do not address Iran’s missile capabilities, which Israel and the US have both said must be dramatically curtailed.

Below are what each side involved has said so far about the ceasefire deal:

What Did The Pakistani Mediators Say?

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced the ceasefire between Iran and the United States on X, saying the two sides agreed to an immediate ceasefire everywhere, including Lebanon, where Israel launched strikes.

The prime minister did not mention either Iran’s 10-point proposals or the US 15-point plan, and his statement made no mention of any agreement with Israel.

One Pakistani official in the region said Iran could expect to secure many of its demands, with a focus on reconstruction, reparations and sanctions relief, but could not expect to secure an agreement on uranium enrichment.

What Did Trump Say And What Were The Past Us Proposals?

In a post on his Truth Social, Trump said US forces would suspend strikes on Iran for two weeks subject to the Islamic Republic agreeing to “the COMPLETE, IMMEDIATE, and SAFE OPENING of the Strait of Hormuz”.

He said the two sides were “very far along with a definitive Agreement concerning Longterm PEACE with Iran, and PEACE in the Middle East”. While he said Iran’s 10-point proposal provided “a workable basis” for talks, he did not list the points and said major issues of past contention had been agreed.

According to Israeli sources, Trump’s 15-point proposal, previously sent to Iran via Pakistan, called for removing Iran’s stocks of highly enriched uranium, halting enrichment, curbing its ballistic missile programme and cutting off funding for regional allies.

What Is Iran’s Position?

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said in a statement that Iran agreed to halt what it termed “defensive operations” if attacks on Iran were halted, based on the US request for talks grounded in Washington’s 15-point proposal and Trump’s agreement to use Iran’s 10-point plan as a basis for negotiations.

He said safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz would be possible for two weeks “via coordination with Iran’s Armed Forces and with due consideration of technical limitations”.

Iran’s Supreme National Security Council said in a statement that Washington had agreed to accept Iran’s 10-point plan and that “the United States has, in principle, committed to”:
​

• non-aggression;​
• continued Iranian control over the Strait of Hormuz;​
• acceptance of enrichment;​
• lifting all primary and secondary sanctions;​
• termination of all resolutions passed by the UN Security Council and Board of Governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency;​
• withdrawal of US combat forces from the region;​
• and cessation of war on all fronts, including against the Islamic resistance in Lebanon.​

Before the ceasefire deal, a senior Iranian official had said Iran would demand transit fees for ships to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, which is considered an international waterway.

What Have The Israelis Said?

Israel said it had agreed to a ceasefire with Iran, but said the deal did not include halting military action in Lebanon.

An Israeli official said the US coordinated the temporary ceasefire with Israel in advance, adding that Iran had agreed to opening the Strait of Hormuz without a commitment to a final end to the war, compensation, or lifting sanctions, and more.

The official also said the Trump administration had informed Israel that during talks with Iran over the next two weeks, the US would insist on the removal of nuclear material, a halt to enrichment and elimination of the ballistic missile threat, in addition to addressing other issues.​

 

[Saif]

The Financial Express | First Financial Daily of Bangladesh

Get latest stock share market news, financial news, economy news, politics news, breaking news, Bangladesh economy news at The Financial Express.

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Temporary truce: Future of Iran War still uncertain

FE
Published :
Apr 08, 2026 23:52
Updated :
Apr 08, 2026 23:52

Though temporary, the Iran War truce is a relief for the world as a whole and for an oil import-dependent country like Bangladesh, in particular. Less than two hours before the expiry of the deadline set by US President Donald Trump to 'wipe out a whole civilization', Iran and the USA agreed to a conditional two-week truce through the mediation of Pakistan, a country acceptable to Iran, the USA, most Gulf countries and China. The US President, reportedly, agreed to 'suspend the bombing and attack against Iran for a period of two weeks' if Tehran agrees to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a very important shipping route through which one-fifth of world's oil cargo passes. And, the importance of this route is being felt badly by a host of countries including Bangladesh. Within hours of declaration of the ceasefire, the global oil market reacted positively and Brent oil price came down to US$97 from US$115 per barrel. Tehran, however, according to reports, has agreed to reopen Strait of Hormuz under its full military control.

With the Iran war starting to escalate in line with the whimsical actions of Donald Trump, it is not just oil, the global economy was bracing for a very difficult time ahead. The ceasefire, no doubt, is a starting point. Both the US and Iran, obviously, would claim their respective victory. But the truth is, the ceasefire is the first step for further negotiations. The world will be watching with keen interest the final outcome of the meeting between the USA and Iran, expected to be held in Islamabad, Pakistan. In a post on Truth Social, Trump said he agreed to a provisional ceasefire because 'we have already met and exceeded all Military objectives'. For its part, Iran has issued a 10-point plan that includes, among others, lifting of sanctions on Iran, complete cessation of war in Iran, Iraq, Lebanon and Yemen and release of frozen Iranian funds and assets held by the US and a "full payment of compensation for reconstruction costs" that may run into a trillion US dollar.

It is difficult to guess at this moment the ultimate outcome of the next Friday's proposed meeting between the two warring parties. But many have started wondering what actually had prompted Trump to make a retreat. There is no denying that Trump gives a damn about what others outside the USA think about him or his actions. Actually, his own home turf has become heated and uncomfortable. The rising fuel cost and the growing uneasiness among the Republican vote bank and also within the honchos of his own party have forced him to change the course, it is widely assumed. President Trump is a man who goes by impulse in many cases. It is alleged that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, a shrewd war-monger, has cashed in on this weakness and lured Trump into starting a full-scale war against Iran under various pretexts, the 'regime change' being the primary one. For future peace negotiations either with Iran or any other country in the Middle East, Netanyahu will continue to be a huge problem.

The future negotiations between the USA and Iran, the next one likely to be held in Pakistan, surely will face many hurdles. The USA might discover some issues in the Iranian plan that it would find hard to accept. Both countries at the moment are holding contradictory positions. In the past year, they held two rounds of negotiations but without any positive outcome. Rather, military tensions escalated in the region. The USA, instigated by Israel, imposed an unjust war on Iran and caused death and destructions that amounts to war crime. Trump must understand that the world has not bestowed on him the power and responsibility of changing a regime or kidnapping a sitting president or prime minister of any country. The sooner he acknowledges this fact the better.​

 

[Saif]

US Republicans block bid to rein in Trump Iran war powers

US House of Representatives Republicans on Thursday blocked a Democratic effort to end US attacks on Iran, as Donald Trump's party continued to prevent efforts to rein in the Republican ‌president's war powers. Representative Chris Smith, a New Jersey Republican, presided over an abbreviated

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

US Republicans block bid to rein in Trump Iran war powers

REUTERS

Published :
Apr 09, 2026 23:38
Updated :
Apr 09, 2026 23:38

Two F/A-18 Super Hornets launch from the flight deck of the US Navy Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln in support of the Operation Epic Fury attack on Iran from an undisclosed location March 3, 2026. Photo : US Navy/Handout via REUTERS/Files

US House of Representatives Republicans on Thursday blocked a Democratic effort to end US attacks on Iran, as Donald Trump's party continued to prevent efforts to rein in the Republican ‌president's war powers.

Representative Chris Smith, a New Jersey Republican, presided over an abbreviated "pro forma" House session, ending it before a group of Democrats could seek to pass the resolution via unanimous consent.

Democrats in the Senate and House of Representatives have tried and repeatedly failed in recent months to pass war powers resolutions to force Trump ⁠to obtain lawmakers' authorization before launching military operations, in both Venezuela and Iran.

Trump's threat early this week that "a whole civilization will die" intensified concern from Democrats, dozens of whom called for Trump's removal from office. The 1949 Geneva Conventions on humanitarian conduct in war prohibit attacks on sites considered essential for civilians.

"Threatening genocide is not a negotiating tactic," Representative Sara Jacobs, a California Democrat, told a news conference outside the Capitol after the pro forma session, held because Congress is out of Washington for the two-week ‌Easter recess.

Trump ⁠announced that he had agreed to a ceasefire in the US-Israel war on Iran on Tuesday, less than two hours before his deadline for Tehran to reopen the blockaded Strait of Hormuz or face devastating attacks on its civilian infrastructure.

The White House says Trump's actions are legal ⁠and within his rights as commander-in-chief to protect the US by ordering limited military operations.

Iran says its nuclear program is peaceful. The Trump administration has sought to portray the war as a decisive ⁠victory, although the top US general said US troops stood ready to resume fighting.

Trump's fellow Republicans hold slim majorities in both the Senate and House, and have almost ⁠unanimously backed all of his policies.

Although the US Constitution says that Congress, not the president, can declare war, that restriction does not apply for short-term operations or if the country faces an immediate threat.​

 

[Saif]

Germany to resume direct talks with Iran to support ceasefire: Merz

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Thursday announced that the German government will resume direct talks with Iran to support the newly agreed two-week ceasefire between Washington and Tehran. During a press conference in Berlin, Merz stated that a window of opportunity for a negotiated solution

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Germany to resume direct talks with Iran to support ceasefire: Merz

Xinhua

Published :
Apr 09, 2026 23:06
Updated :
Apr 09, 2026 23:39

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz speaks to the media about the current developments in domestic and foreign politics, in Berlin, Germany, April 9, 2026. Photo : REUTERS/Nadja Wohlleben

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Thursday announced that the German government will resume direct talks with Iran to support the newly agreed two-week ceasefire between Washington and Tehran.

During a press conference in Berlin, Merz stated that a window of opportunity for a negotiated solution has opened for the first time since the outbreak of the conflict, though he cautioned that the situation in the Middle East remains "fragile."

Following the ceasefire agreement between the United States and Iran, direct talks are scheduled to take place in Islamabad, Pakistan.

Merz noted that a German negotiation team is heading to Pakistan to engage with the Iran side, and he is scheduled to hold a phone call with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif later on Thursday.

Merz also confirmed he had held a phone call with US President Donald Trump, urging the US leader to pursue the negotiations seriously.

He denied any discussions regarding the withdrawal of US troops from military bases in Germany.

During the press conference, Merz also voiced concern over the situation in Lebanon, warning that Israel's ongoing military operations in Lebanon could cause the peace process as a whole to fail. "And that must not happen."​