Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei stated that the country’s armed forces are maintaining constant vigilance over enemy movements. In a post on social media platform X, he said the Islamic Republic’s forces are closely monitoring activities along Iran’s coasts, islands, borders, and other sensitive areas to ensure national security.

Baghaei added that those defending the homeland continue to safeguard Iran’s peace and security. In a separate interview with IRIB on Friday, he clarified that Iran has not made any request to hold talks with the United States. He also emphasized that breaking promises has become a habit for the United States, underscoring Tehran’s distrust of Washington’s commitments.

The comments reflect Iran’s continued focus on national defense and its critical stance toward U.S. reliability in diplomatic engagements, as reported by Al Jazeera.

Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) prevented an attempt by India’s Border Security Force (BSF) to push three Indian nationals into Bangladesh through the Sholghoria border in Burimari Union of Patgram upazila, Lalmonirhat, early Saturday. The incident occurred near main pillar 833 of the Dhobalsuti Border Outpost area. According to BGB and local sources, BSF members from the Kharkharia camp under India’s 98 Battalion tried to push nine people, including women and children, into Bangladesh under cover of darkness.

Six of them reportedly entered Bangladesh and fled, while three women were stopped by BGB and locals and kept inside Indian territory about 150 yards from the zero line. The Teesta Battalion of BGB stated in a press note that its commanding officer had spoken with the BSF battalion commander, requesting the return of those who had crossed. BGB has since intensified patrols, continued pushback operations, and maintained constant surveillance along the border.

The situation remains under close observation as both border forces communicate to resolve the matter.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has accused the United States of breaching a key clause of a memorandum of understanding related to Iran’s nuclear program. In a post on social media platform X early Saturday local time, Araghchi said Iran has upheld its commitments, but the U.S. Treasury Secretary violated Article 9 of the memorandum.

According to the memorandum’s ninth article, Iran must maintain its current nuclear program status until a final agreement is reached, while the United States must refrain from imposing new sanctions or deploying additional forces in the region. Earlier in the week, following Iran’s attack on a commercial ship in the Strait of Hormuz, the Trump administration imposed new sanctions on Tehran.

Araghchi described the sanctions and military actions as further examples of U.S. noncompliance, urging both sides to adhere equally to the agreement. The United States also carried out airstrikes on Iranian targets and revoked a waiver allowing Iran to sell oil without sanctions. President Donald Trump declared the memorandum void but said talks with Tehran would continue.

U.S. President Donald Trump said he has already issued instructions on what the United States should do if Iran succeeds in assassinating him. In an interview with the New York Post on Friday, Trump claimed that Iran has been trying to kill him for a long time and that he remains one of Tehran’s main targets. He warned that if such an attempt were successful, the U.S. would launch an unprecedented attack on Iran.

Trump reiterated that Tehran has sought to eliminate him for years and expressed hope that people would feel his absence if that happened. According to Israeli intelligence cited by CNN, Iran recently developed a new plan to assassinate Trump. The president has repeatedly hinted that any such act would trigger a devastating U.S. military response, referencing his February 2025 executive order imposing “maximum pressure” on Iran.

Returning from a NATO summit in Turkey, Trump claimed he tops Iran’s “kill list” but downplayed reports of new Israeli findings, saying he has long been their number-one target.

Andy Burnham has consolidated his position as the frontrunner to become the next leader of the UK Labour Party and the country's next Prime Minister. With 322 of the party’s 403 MPs backing him, he needs just one more nomination to make any rival candidacy mathematically impossible. The nomination deadline is next Thursday, and Labour is expected to formally declare Burnham as leader on Friday. If all proceeds as planned, he will be sworn in as Prime Minister on 20 July.

The leadership contest follows Keir Starmer’s resignation after Labour’s poor performance in May’s local elections. Burnham, the former Manchester mayor who recently returned to Parliament after winning the Makerfield by-election, has pledged to decentralize power and promote regional economic growth. Former junior defence minister Al Cairns has withdrawn from the race, further clearing Burnham’s path.

Burnham has also proposed creating a new “Number 10” unit in Manchester to strengthen local governance in housing and transport, and has promised to bring water and energy sectors under public control. He expressed regret over Labour’s earlier stance on the Gaza war and vowed to increase long-term investment in defence.

The White House has begun replacing temporary barricades at its main entrance with a permanent wall as part of a broader effort to modernize and strengthen security for President Donald Trump. A White House official told CNN that the construction, located at the North Portico, could take several months to complete. Workers are also repairing exterior columns at the president’s request, and the area is currently covered with scaffolding and large printed screens.

The U.S. Secret Service had long advocated for reinforcing the northern entrance, and the project is described as a security measure rather than a decorative one. In addition, the Trump administration has submitted a proposal to encircle Lafayette Park, north of the White House, with a permanent wall to replace temporary barriers. The proposal, jointly filed by the Secret Service, the Executive Office of the President, and the Department of Homeland Security, has been sent to the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts for approval.

Following multiple assassination attempts on President Trump, the administration is also planning a 90,000-square-foot ballroom with advanced security features, including a drone port, sniper posts, and an underground bunker.

Hasanath Abdullah, chief organizer of the National Citizens Party (NCP) for the southern region and Member of Parliament for Cumilla-4, has accused the BNP of using the July movement to come to power and later denying its ideals. Speaking as the chief guest at a street rally organized by the NCP on Friday evening at Osman Chattar in Raipur, Lakshmipur, he said the BNP had exploited the sacrifices of the wounded and martyred families of July for political gain.

He noted that the Home Minister took 46 minutes in parliament to respond to a two-minute statement from their party, which he said reflected the importance of the issues they raised. Abdullah also urged the government to provide immediate relief and rehabilitation for people affected by floods in several districts of the Chattogram division. Criticizing the BNP government, he said it was failing to meet public expectations and moving away from the aspirations of the July movement.

Calling for unity, Abdullah emphasized that no government can survive long while ignoring public opinion and participation, and urged collective efforts to ensure accountability and reform the state.

The Bangladesh government has failed to bring in two helicopters purchased from Russia’s JSC Russian Helicopters even after five and a half years. The aircraft were intended to strengthen police operations in coastal and hilly areas. Despite paying Tk 299.68 crore in two installments and keeping the remaining funds ready, the helicopters have not been delivered due to US sanctions that restrict imports from Russian entities. Diplomatic efforts and repeated communications with the Russian company have not resolved the issue, and officials now consider the chances of delivery slim.

The Ministry of Home Affairs is preparing to send a letter to JSC Russian Helicopters seeking a refund of the full payment. The purchase agreement was signed in February 2021 between the Bangladesh Police and the Russian manufacturer, with approval from the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs later that year. Four police officers were trained as pilots, and maintenance personnel were also prepared, but the aviation wing could not be launched as the helicopters never arrived.

According to ministry sources, if the refund is secured, the government plans to buy helicopters from a non-sanctioned country to avoid future complications.

Iran has declared that it will never surrender to the United States and is fully prepared to defend itself if Washington withdraws from the memorandum of understanding between the two countries. The warning came from Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Iran’s chief negotiator and speaker of parliament, who emphasized Tehran’s readiness for complete defense in case of any U.S. breach.

Ghalibaf stated that Iran has never stopped preparing to protect its nation and that ending wars should be a global priority. However, he stressed that the current conflict would not end through Iran’s surrender. His remarks followed a social media post by U.S. President Donald Trump, who claimed that Tehran and Washington had agreed to continue talks but that their ceasefire period had expired.

The exchange highlights ongoing tensions between the two nations, with Iran signaling its determination to maintain sovereignty and defensive capability amid uncertainty over the future of the agreement.

Hasnat Abdullah, chief organizer of the National Citizens Party (NCP) for the southern region and Member of Parliament for Comilla-4, alleged that the government has failed to ensure electricity supply and fair elections. Speaking on Friday evening in Maijdee, Noakhali, at the NCP’s ‘July March’ program, he claimed that while earlier elections in 2014 and 2018 were manipulated before results were announced, the 2024 vote was allegedly rigged after results were published. He said 70 percent of citizens supported the referendum’s ‘yes’ vote, but the BNP stole the outcome.

Abdullah criticized the BNP government for failing to create promised jobs and for worsening the power crisis. He said electricity now comes only occasionally, forcing people to rely on lanterns and candles. He also challenged the power minister’s claim in parliament that there is no load-shedding, stating that many areas experience up to 16 hours without power daily. The event was attended by senior NCP leaders including Abdul Hannan Masud and Ali Ahsan Junaid.

The NCP’s program demanded implementation of the referendum, resolution of the power shortage, price control, job creation, and border security.

The government has urged all media outlets and citizens not to broadcast or publish any statements, speeches, interviews, or audio-video messages from former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who is described as deposed and fugitive. The appeal was made on Thursday through an official information release.

According to the statement, the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) issued a ban on December 5, 2024, prohibiting the dissemination of Sheikh Hasina’s statements. It further noted that under existing Bangladeshi law, there are legal restrictions on broadcasting or publishing the words or messages of any convicted fugitive. The government emphasized that this request aims to uphold law and order and to respect the court’s directives.

The statement expressed hope that all media organizations, stakeholders, and citizens would show due respect to the law and the court’s instructions and would fully cooperate in complying with them.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Friday, July 10, held extensive discussions with deputy commissioners, superintendents of police, and civil surgeons from flood-affected districts across Bangladesh to assess the ongoing flood situation. He instructed the administration and party members to stand beside affected people and ensure coordinated rescue, relief, medical, and rehabilitation operations. The Prime Minister also spoke with ministers, secretaries, and officials from relevant ministries, emphasizing effective disaster management and relief coordination.

According to Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumman, the Prime Minister assigned State Minister for Power and Energy Aninda Islam Amit to oversee coordination of relief and rehabilitation activities in flood-hit areas. Amit, along with State Minister for Disaster Management M. Iqbal Hossain and other officials, is scheduled to visit Chattogram on Saturday. Officials informed the Prime Minister that floodwaters have begun to recede in some areas, though close monitoring continues.

The Prime Minister instructed authorities to prioritize the safety of women and children, particularly pregnant women, and to ensure sufficient food, clean water, and medical aid. Law enforcement agencies were directed to remain vigilant against potential criminal activities during the disaster period.

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer and Leader of the Opposition in Parliament Dr. Shafiqur Rahman said that Bangladesh belongs to all 180 million people, not just the ruling party. He made the remarks on Friday while addressing a local Jamaat gathering in flood-affected Banshkhali, Chattogram. Rahman stated that his party’s 90 parliamentary seats were not won to remain idle and criticized past governments for corruption and capital flight.

During his visit, Rahman toured several flood-hit areas, met affected families, and distributed cash and relief materials. He announced that Jamaat would provide Tk 50,000 to each of the 23 families who lost members in the floods, promising delivery within three days. He emphasized that political parties have a duty to stand by people during disasters.

Speaking to journalists, Rahman said that in times of disaster, human identity transcends religion, ethnicity, or politics, and helping victims is a moral responsibility. Several local MPs and officials accompanied him during the visit.

Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Mia Golam Parwar stated that party leaders and activists are prepared to make the highest sacrifices for the establishment of faith. Speaking on Friday afternoon at a Jamaat-e-Islami Dhaka South educational camp for Rukon members in Motijheel-Shahjahanpur, he said that such sacrifice is obligatory for believers, comparable to prayer, fasting, pilgrimage, and almsgiving.

Parwar explained that if the movement to establish faith demands losing everything, even life, Jamaat members are ready for it. He emphasized that the party does not allow personal or factional interests, focusing solely on seeking divine satisfaction. He also discussed the Election Commission’s suggestion to replace the term “Rukon” with “member” in the party’s registration application, noting that Jamaat retained both terms to preserve the spiritual significance of “Rukon.”

The event, held at the Institution of Diploma Engineers auditorium, was chaired by Muhammad Shamsur Rahman and attended by senior Jamaat leaders including ATM Ma’sum, Nurul Islam Bulbul MP, and Muhammad Delwar Hossain.

At a citizens’ rally in Mohammadpur, Dhaka, on Friday, Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis Amir Maulana Mamunul Haque announced plans to compile a list of extortionists and build social resistance against them. He alleged that ordinary people are being forced to pay illegal levies for construction and business activities, urging citizens to pay only government taxes. The rally was organized by the party’s Dhaka-13 branch to protest the spread of drugs, terrorism, extortion, and deteriorating law and order.

Mamunul Haque pledged to launch a broad social movement to eliminate extortion, teenage gangs, illegal occupation, and drug and alcohol trade from Mohammadpur and Adabor areas. He said poor and orphaned youths exploited by criminal groups would be rehabilitated through skill development and employment initiatives. He also criticized the operation of liquor bars in Lalmatia and warned of tougher programs if authorities fail to act.

He further emphasized strengthening moral and religious education, criticized certain ministry policies, and accused current representatives of failing to address civic issues. The event was attended by senior and local leaders of Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis.