Iran has seized a foreign oil tanker in the Sea of Oman, allegedly carrying approximately 2 million liters of smuggled fuel. Mojtaba Ghahremani, Chief Justice of Hormozgan Province, confirmed the vessel was intercepted due to suspicious movements in Iranian territorial waters. Lacking valid documentation, the tanker was seized and taken to Jask in southern Iran for investigation. Seventeen crew members, including the captain, have been detained. He added that Iran remains firm in its crackdown on fuel smuggling.

Malaysian immigration authorities arrested 494 undocumented migrants, including Bangladeshis, during a raid on the Putra Permai Selesa Apartments in Serikambangan. Authorities screened a total of 741 foreigners during the operation, detaining citizens from Indonesia, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Thailand, and Cambodia. Immigration, police, civil defense, and other agencies jointly conducted the raid. The deputy director-general of Malaysia’s immigration department stated that regular crackdowns will continue, particularly in Selangor, where illegal migrants are concentrated. Meanwhile, a voluntary repatriation program under "Immigration Recalibration 2.0" will run from May 19, 2025, to April 30, 2026, allowing migrants to return home without penalties.

US President Donald Trump has advised Ukraine against launching strikes on Moscow, countering earlier reports that claimed he encouraged attacks inside Russia. According to the White House, Trump’s comments were exploratory rather than directive. He has issued a 50-day ultimatum to Russia to end the war or face 100% tariffs on its exports. Simultaneously, Trump pledged continued military assistance to Ukraine.

In a significant policy shift, the Malaysian government has introduced a multiple entry visa system for Bangladeshi workers. According to the Bangladesh High Commission in Kuala Lumpur, the Malaysian Immigration Department issued an official circular on July 10 announcing the new policy. Going forward, workers renewing their PLKS (Temporary Employment Visit Pass) will automatically receive a multiple entry visa, allowing them to travel back and forth without the need for new applications. Previously, Bangladeshi workers were only granted single-entry visas, often causing serious travel complications. Advisor Asif Nazrul noted that this breakthrough is the result of long-term diplomatic efforts.

A drone strike targeted a U.S.-owned oil facility in the Sarsang oil field in Iraq’s Duhok province, located in the semi-autonomous Kurdistan region. The attack caused a fire, though no casualties were reported. Operations at the site have been suspended until security can be assured.

The incident is part of a recent surge in drone and rocket attacks in the Kurdistan region, often linked to Iran-backed groups. A similar attack occurred earlier at the Erbil airport, where U.S. forces are stationed. No group has yet claimed responsibility for the latest strike.

Starting July 27, Russia and North Korea will begin direct flights between Moscow and Pyongyang once a month. The flight duration is expected to be around eight hours. The decision follows a bilateral agreement to reintroduce regular air service. Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov is currently in Tianjin, China, attending the SCO Foreign Ministers’ meeting.

Authorities in Libya have rescued more than 100 migrants held hostage by human traffickers in the city of Ajdabiya. According to a statement from the Libyan Attorney General's office, the traffickers—who included nationals from Libya, Sudan, and Egypt—were holding the group, including five women, for ransom and subjecting them to physical abuse.

While the identities and nationalities of the rescued migrants have not yet been disclosed, officials confirmed that five traffickers have been arrested. Libya remains a major transit point for migrants attempting to reach Europe, despite the serious risks involved. As of December 2024, the United Nations reported that more than 825,000 migrants were residing in Libya.

In a phone interview with the BBC, U.S. President Donald Trump expressed disappointment in Russian President Vladimir Putin but said he has not severed ties. He warned that if no ceasefire agreement is reached within 50 days, the U.S. would impose heavy tariffs on Russia. Trump affirmed his commitment to NATO’s collective defense and said he doesn’t want his near-death experience to change his life’s direction. Despite the tensions, he still hopes for a “fruitful dialogue” with Putin.

Bangladesh's NID Wing has extended its voter registration and national ID services to five additional countries: the United States, Oman, South Africa, Jordan, and the Maldives. Director General Humayun Kabir confirmed that operations in these countries will start this July, bringing the total to 10 countries. So far, 48,080 expatriates have applied, 29,646 have completed biometric registration, and 17,367 have become voters. The government plans to expand the service to 40 countries.

Iran has warned that it will respond proportionately if European countries attempt to reinstate UN sanctions using the 2015 nuclear deal’s "snapback" mechanism. The Iranian Foreign Ministry criticized the efforts of the UK, France, and Germany as politically motivated and hostile. It argued that recent U.S. and Israeli attacks have undermined the legal basis for such measures. While Iran remains formally committed to the deal, it has gradually reduced compliance in response to violations by the U.S. and Europe. The U.S. unilaterally withdrew from the deal in 2018 and reimposed sanctions.

Iran has declared that it will not engage in new nuclear talks with the United States if halting uranium enrichment is set as a precondition. Senior adviser to Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Velayati, stated this amid a stalled negotiation process that included five rounds of talks earlier this year. The sixth round was canceled due to Israeli military actions. Iran maintains its nuclear program is peaceful, and the IAEA has found no evidence of weapons development.

An Israeli soldier has died by suicide at a military base in the occupied Golan Heights, marking the third such incident in just 10 days. The soldier had reportedly participated in military operations against Palestinians in Gaza. The spate of suicides has raised concerns within the Israeli Defense Forces. Opposition leader Yair Lapid described it as a result of an “unbearable reality.” So far in 2025, at least 15 Israeli soldiers have taken their own lives. Since Israel’s assault on Gaza began on October 7, 2023, more than 57,000 Palestinians have been killed, with over 100,000 injured.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has reaffirmed that Iran will use every available diplomatic and political resource to protect its people's rights and remove the shadow of war. Addressing Iranians abroad, he said, “Iran stands for peace and diplomacy, not war.” Condemning recent Israeli and U.S. aggressions, Pezeshkian said Israel has continued killing innocent Iranians even during negotiations. He reiterated Iran’s commitment to its peaceful nuclear program and readiness for talks but warned that while Iranians are peace-loving, they will not submit to external pressures.

The Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission of the US Congress is set to hold a hearing on Pakistan’s suppression of opposition parties and curtailment of free speech. The hearing will address issues like political repression, media control, and violations of freedom of expression, which experts say intensified following the ousting of Imran Khan in 2022. Representatives from Amnesty International, human rights lawyers, and Khan’s advisers are scheduled to testify. The proceedings will be broadcast live.

A total of 131 foreign nationals, including 96 Bangladeshis, have been deported from Kuala Lumpur International Airport for failing to meet immigration requirements. Authorities cited reasons such as suspicious accommodation bookings, lack of sufficient funds, and failure to report to immigration officers. Many claimed plans to stay for a month but carried only 500 ringgit. In a screening operation conducted on July 11, around 300 individuals were checked. Malaysian officials reaffirmed their commitment to taking strict action against questionable entrants to safeguard national sovereignty.