Iran’s Defense Ministry spokesman Reza Talaei-Nik stated that U.S. President Donald Trump has no alternative but to accept Tehran’s demands and recognize Iran’s rights. He asserted that both in war and diplomacy, the only viable path for what he called the “American-Zionist enemy” is to comply with Iran’s positions.

Talaei-Nik warned that if the opposing side refuses to acknowledge the Iranian people’s legitimate demands, Trump and his allies would face greater costs and continued defeats. He accused Trump of neglecting U.S. national interests and claimed that Washington’s close alignment with Israel would drag it deeper into conflict.

The remarks came amid rising tensions in the Middle East and ongoing strain in Iran-U.S. relations, reflecting Tehran’s increasingly assertive tone in the face of regional and international pressure.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman departed from Dhaka on Saturday morning, May 23, 2026, to attend several programs in Mymensingh’s Trishal upazila. According to the Deputy Press Secretary Zahidul Islam Rony, the Prime Minister left his Tejgaon office at 11:05 a.m. by road. His schedule includes inaugurating the re-excavation of the historic ‘Dharar Khal’ in Kanhur village under Bailor Union.

Following the inauguration, he is expected to take a short break at the Trishal Nazrul Dak Bungalow before attending the national event marking the 127th birth anniversary of national poet Kazi Nazrul Islam at 3 p.m. Later, at 5 p.m., he will join an organizational meeting of the Mymensingh North, South, and Metropolitan BNP units at the Trishal Nazrul Auditorium.

The Prime Minister is scheduled to return to Dhaka by road at around 6:30 p.m. after completing the day’s programs.

A seminar titled “Persecution of Muslims in India: Politics, Identity and Minority Rights Conflict” began on Saturday morning under the initiative of Friends of Humanity. The event was chaired by the organization’s chairman, Dr. Khondaker Rashedul Haque, with Mahmudur Rahman, editor of Amar Desh, attending as the chief guest. Prominent journalist and academic Md. Shah Alam presented a paper at the seminar, which was attended by several notable figures including Professor Dr. Shajahan Khan and former army officer Lieutenant Colonel Hasinur Rahman.

In his presentation, Md. Shah Alam highlighted recent incidents of persecution and human rights violations against Muslims and other minorities in India. The seminar focused on the political and social dimensions of these issues, examining how identity and minority rights are being challenged in the current context.

The discussion aimed to raise awareness about the situation of minorities in India and to encourage dialogue on protecting human rights and ensuring equality across communities.

India’s government has announced a new initiative to strengthen security along its borders with Bangladesh and Pakistan, covering nearly 6,000 kilometers. Home Minister Amit Shah said in New Delhi that the project will deploy drones, radars, and surveillance cameras across the frontier areas. The implementation is expected to begin within a year, with the Border Security Force (BSF) receiving full technical support from the government.

Shah added that fencing work along unfenced sections of the Bangladesh border will be expedited. India and Bangladesh share a 4,096-kilometer border, of which about 1,650 kilometers are already fenced, leaving 569 kilometers without fencing. The longest stretch of this border lies in West Bengal, spanning approximately 2,219 kilometers.

According to the report, the project aims to enhance monitoring and control along sensitive border zones, particularly where physical barriers are incomplete or absent.

Pakistan’s Army Chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, met Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Tehran on Friday, according to Iranian state media. The two officials discussed Iran’s ongoing diplomatic efforts and new initiatives aimed at halting the war. Their talks, which continued into the night, also focused on regional security conditions and measures to prevent further escalation of conflict.

Reports said both sides exchanged views on recent diplomatic steps taken to stop the spread of war and end the ongoing hostilities. The meeting highlighted the importance of coordinated regional efforts to maintain stability amid rising tensions.

In recent weeks, Islamabad has intensified its mediation role between Washington and Tehran. Pakistan has previously maintained communication channels to help ease U.S.-Iran tensions. Earlier, Araghchi had visited Islamabad for talks with Munir on ceasefire prospects, peace negotiations, and regional stability.

The Madhya Pradesh High Court has ruled that the centuries-old Kamal Maula Mosque in Dhar district is a temple dedicated to a Hindu goddess, following a petition claiming the site originally housed a temple. The decision, announced on Friday, has barred Muslims from praying there and allowed Hindus to install an idol under police protection. The mosque, part of the Bhojshala complex, had long been a shared site under an Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) agreement permitting both Hindu and Muslim worship on different days.

Muslim leaders and legal representatives have condemned the ruling as a violation of India’s Places of Worship Act of 1991, which preserves the religious character of sites as they existed in 1947. They plan to appeal to the Supreme Court. Critics, including historian Audrey Truschke, described the ASI survey as politically motivated and part of a broader pattern of Islamophobia linked to Hindu nationalism.

The case has revived memories of the Babri Mosque demolition and is seen as part of a wider campaign by Hindu nationalist groups to reclaim sites they allege were once temples, raising concerns about religious freedom and secularism in India.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that the failure of the United States to fulfill its commitments, along with what he described as betrayal and excessive demands, led to the collapse of recent diplomatic discussions. He made the remarks during a telephone conversation with United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres on Friday.

Araghchi further cited repeated U.S. betrayals of diplomacy, military aggression against Iran, contradictory positions, and recurring excessive demands as additional reasons for the breakdown. Despite deep mistrust toward Washington, he emphasized that Iran had reentered the diplomatic process with seriousness and responsibility, aiming for a fair and reasonable outcome.

In the same conversation, the UN Secretary-General reiterated his opposition to the use of force against any nation’s sovereignty or territorial integrity and stressed adherence to the UN Charter and diplomatic means to ensure peace and stability in the region.

U.S. President Donald Trump has confirmed that he will not attend his son’s wedding in the Bahamas, citing ongoing discussions about the Iran war and his official responsibilities in Washington. The wedding of Donald Trump Jr. and Bettina Anderson is scheduled for this weekend. Trump made the announcement on Friday, emphasizing that government duties require his presence in the capital.

When asked about the matter at the Oval Office on Thursday, Trump said his son wanted him to attend but described the event as small and private. He added that the timing was not favorable due to his busy schedule, which includes the Iran crisis and other pressing issues. On his social media platform Truth Social, Trump expressed regret, saying he wished to be with his son and future daughter-in-law but that his duty to the United States prevented it.

Trump concluded his message by congratulating Donald Jr. and Bettina, stating that remaining at the White House during this critical period was essential.

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced a new policy requiring foreign nationals currently residing in the US to return to their home countries to apply for permanent residency or green cards. The directive was issued in a policy memorandum released on Friday, according to the Department of Homeland Security, which oversees USCIS.

The department stated that the change aims to close loopholes in the immigration system and improve the agency’s capacity to process other applications more efficiently. It added that possible exemptions under special circumstances are still under consideration.

Human rights and refugee assistance organizations have criticized the decision. The nonprofit HIAS warned that the rule could force victims of human trafficking, abused women, and at-risk children to return to countries they fled to save their lives. The policy shift is viewed as part of President Donald Trump’s broader effort to tighten US immigration rules, following earlier steps to shorten visa durations and cancel over 100,000 visas since he took office.

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has announced that the province will hold a referendum on October 19 to decide whether to remain part of Canada or move toward a second binding vote on separation. The announcement follows petitions signed by over 300,000 people supporting independence and more than 400,000 favoring continued union. The referendum will ask whether Alberta should stay within Canada or begin legal steps toward a binding vote on independence under the Canadian Constitution.

Smith stated she will vote to remain in Canada, aligning with her government’s position. The decision comes after a court ruling suspended verification of signatures on a pro-separation petition due to concerns raised by Indigenous First Nations groups about inadequate consultation. Smith criticized the ruling, saying Alberta’s future should be determined by its people, not the courts. Polls suggest most Albertans oppose separation.

Prime Minister Mark Carney emphasized that any separation attempt must comply with the federal Clarity Act, which requires a clear majority and question wording approved by the House of Commons. Federal and provincial leaders have expressed support for national unity while acknowledging Alberta’s long-standing grievances over resource policy and federal intervention.

A marriage between the daughter of a local Awami League leader and a Chhatra Dal leader in Kaliganj, Jhenaidah, has drawn widespread discussion and criticism. The event took place on Thursday in Bogergachi village, attended by political figures from various parties, including Jamaat-e-Islami lawmaker Maulana Abu Talib from Jhenaidah-4. Photos and videos showing Awami League leader Mohidul Islam Montu serving food to the Jamaat MP circulated on social media, intensifying public reaction.

According to the report, Mohidul Islam Montu, former chairman and general secretary of the Rakhalgachi Union Awami League, arranged the wedding of his daughter Mehejabin Islam Tuli with Maruf Billah, convener of the Upazila Chhatra Dal. The presence of Maulana Abu Talib, who stated he attended due to social ties, added to the controversy. He also mentioned that efforts would be made to ensure justice for a family involved in a past case.

The incident has become a focal point of political discussion in the area, highlighting the complex social interactions among rival political groups.

U.S. President Donald Trump has claimed that revenue from Venezuelan oil has generated 25 times more money than the cost of the war against Iran. He made the remark while discussing U.S. actions involving Iran and Venezuela, saying the United States had taken so much oil from Venezuela that it covered the war expenses many times over.

Trump’s statement comes amid ongoing international debate about the U.S. military campaign against Iran. According to Pentagon data, by early this month the cost of the war had reached about 29 billion dollars, though analysts and observers suggest the actual figure could be higher. Trump also described Venezuela as a key part of the U.S. energy strategy, indicating that oil production and exports from the country had brought significant economic benefits to the United States.

The remarks highlight the administration’s emphasis on energy-linked economic gains while global scrutiny continues over the financial and humanitarian impacts of the Iran conflict.

Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis Senior Nayeb-e-Ameer Maulana Yusuf Ashraf has condemned the Home Minister’s comment describing public execution of rapists as medieval, saying it insults religious sentiments and undermines public expectations for justice. He made the remarks on Friday afternoon while presiding over a meeting of the party’s Dhaka members of the central executive council at its Purana Paltan office.

Ashraf said the minister’s statement reflects a failure to understand reality, suggesting that his long stay abroad may have distanced him from the people’s frustration with injustice and state failures. He argued that public demand for strict punishment has grown due to the justice system’s inability to curb crime effectively. Referring to the Ramisa murder case, he said the victim family’s despair mirrors widespread public distrust in the judiciary.

He urged the Home Minister to withdraw his statement immediately. The meeting also strongly criticized the recent decision to abolish the Judicial Secretariat, with central executive council members attending under the direction of party Secretary General Maulana Jalaluddin Ahmad.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami’s central secretary general, Professor Mia Golam Porwar, issued a statement on Friday condemning an attack on former Khanmarich Union Jamaat secretary and teacher Zillur Rahman in Pabna’s Bhangura upazila. According to the statement, the incident occurred around 8 p.m. on Thursday, when Rahman was allegedly attacked with sharp weapons in a premeditated attempt to kill him.

Porwar described the assault as part of a pattern of violent attacks, terrorism, and assassination attempts targeting dissenting voices and leaders of Islamic movements across the country. He said the attack on Rahman, a respected teacher and social worker, was not an isolated event but a reflection of organized political violence.

He urged authorities to arrest those responsible and ensure exemplary punishment, while also wishing Zillur Rahman a speedy recovery. Porwar said such incidents demonstrate a deterioration of law and order and are contrary to humanity and civilization.

Tulsi Gabbard, the United States Director of National Intelligence, resigned from her post on Friday amid the ongoing Iran war. Her resignation came at a time of heightened tension over US military activity and the broader Middle East crisis. Reports from international media indicated that Gabbard had policy disagreements with the Trump administration regarding its approach to Iran.

In a post on social media platform X, Gabbard explained that she decided to step down after her husband, Abraham Williams, was diagnosed with a rare form of bone cancer. In her resignation letter, she expressed gratitude to President Donald Trump for allowing her to lead the intelligence office for the past one and a half years. Trump confirmed her resignation on his Truth Social account, praising her performance and saying she would be missed.

Gabbard, a former Democratic congresswoman from Hawaii, served in Congress from 2013 to 2021 before leaving the Democratic Party to support Trump and take the intelligence post. Her resignation had been rumored for some time, though she had previously denied it.