Iran’s senior military adviser Mohsen Rezaei has declared that Tehran will not sign any agreement with the United States unless Washington releases $24 billion in frozen Iranian assets. Speaking to CNN in Tehran on Friday, Rezaei warned that if hostilities resume, the US would enter a “dark tunnel.” He said negotiations remain stalled and that President Donald Trump must take steps to break the deadlock.

According to the report, Iran demanded the release of $12 billion immediately after signing an interim deal and another $12 billion later. US officials reportedly fear that releasing the funds could remove key leverage over Tehran. Rezaei described the unfreezing of assets as a trust-building measure and a test of America’s sincerity. He also dismissed the possibility of a meeting between Trump and Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Ali Khamenei, saying talks are still in the early stage.

Rezaei further warned that renewed conflict could expand beyond the Persian Gulf to the Indian Ocean, Red Sea, and Mediterranean. However, he noted that the likelihood of a new war remains low.

Hundreds of people gathered in Manchester, United Kingdom, on June 7, 2026, to demonstrate in support of Palestine. Carrying Palestinian flags, the protesters called on the British government to stop supporting Israel. The rally was part of a broader show of solidarity with Palestinians amid ongoing violence in the region.

A video released by Greater Manchester’s Friends of Palestine showed demonstrators marching through the city streets, waving flags and chanting in support of the Palestinian people. They carried a large banner reading “End Israeli occupation.” The protest reflected growing public concern over the situation in Gaza and the West Bank.

According to Al Jazeera, Israeli forces have continued operations in the West Bank and Gaza despite a ceasefire that took effect on October 11. Since then, 951 people have been killed and 2,984 injured in Gaza, with 782 bodies recovered from the rubble.

At least 12 people, including senior Lebanese army officers, were killed in Israeli strikes across southern Lebanon on Saturday, according to the Lebanese army. The military reported that a brigadier general, a captain, and a soldier died when an Israeli attack targeted a military vehicle on the Khardali-Nabatieh road.

The Israeli army described the incident as occurring in an “active combat zone,” asserting that coordination with Israeli forces was required for movement in the area. It said the attack was under investigation. The Lebanese army condemned the strikes as deliberate and repeated acts of aggression aimed at undermining efforts toward a resolution.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun called the assault a severe violation of Lebanon’s sovereignty and international law, while Prime Minister Nawaf Salam denounced it as a heinous crime against the nation and its people. He extended condolences to the families and colleagues of the slain officers Brigadier General Wassam Sabra, Captain Elie Khoury, and soldier Hussein Ghazal.

After seven months of uncertainty and detention, 91 Bangladeshi fishermen were released from Indian custody and repatriated on Saturday. They had been imprisoned in India on charges of crossing the international maritime boundary while fishing in the Bay of Bengal. Following completion of all legal procedures, the fishermen were sent from Fraserganj fishing port in South 24 Parganas aboard four trawlers toward international waters, where they were formally handed over to Bangladeshi authorities in the presence of senior naval officials from both countries.

According to administrative and police sources, the fishermen were detained about seven months ago when four Bangladeshi trawlers unintentionally entered Indian waters. The Indian Coast Guard apprehended them and handed them over to Fraserganj Coastal Police. They remained in Indian prisons under court orders until diplomatic and administrative processes between the two nations enabled their release.

The handover operation was conducted peacefully under tight security. The four trawlers, owned by individuals from Kutubdia and Patuakhali, were also returned along with the fishermen.

The United States is considering using Iran’s seized assets to compensate Gulf countries if they suffer damage from future Iranian attacks, according to a Reuters report citing informed sources. US Treasury Secretary Scott Besant has reportedly instructed a team to assess the extent of potential damages in Gulf allied nations and explore the use of Iranian funds for infrastructure repairs.

The report emerged as Mohsen Rezaei, an adviser to Iran’s Supreme Leader, told CNN that one of Tehran’s conditions for a peace agreement is the release of 24 billion dollars in Iranian assets currently frozen in the United States. Analysts believe peace talks between Washington and Tehran have stalled due to unresolved issues over Iran’s nuclear program, the Strait of Hormuz, and the fate of the seized assets.

The consideration of reallocating Iranian funds underscores the ongoing tension between the two nations and the uncertainty surrounding future diplomatic progress.

Israeli soldiers shot and killed a seven-month-old Palestinian baby in the Tel Rumeida area of Hebron, occupied West Bank, on Friday. The baby, named Sam Fahd Abu Haikal, was struck by a bullet while in his mother’s arms and later died in hospital. His parents were also injured in the incident. The Israeli military said soldiers opened fire believing a car was approaching them, but a preliminary investigation found the victims were civilians. The Israel Defense Forces expressed regret and said the matter was under review.

The baby’s father, Fahd Abu Haikal, a lecturer at Bethlehem University, rejected the military’s account, stating the car had stopped and his hands were raised when soldiers fired. He demanded accountability for what he described as a deliberate killing. The British Consulate in Jerusalem expressed condolences and called for a transparent investigation. The report also cited a similar March incident in the Jordan Valley and data from Israeli rights groups showing few prosecutions in such cases.

According to the United Nations, over 1,000 Palestinians, including at least 240 children, have been killed in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since the war began.

At least 12 people, including high-ranking Lebanese army officers, were killed in Israeli attacks across southern Lebanon on Saturday, days after both countries agreed to a conditional ceasefire mediated by the United States. Lebanon’s army confirmed that Brigadier General Wassam Sabra, Captain Elie Khoury, and soldier Hussein Ghozal died when an Israeli strike hit a military vehicle on the Khardali-Nabatieh road. Israel described the area as an active combat zone and said the incident was under investigation.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam condemned the attack as a violation of sovereignty and international law. Hezbollah and Iran’s Foreign Ministry also denounced the strikes, while Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Qatar issued statements rejecting Israel’s actions and calling for respect of Lebanon’s sovereignty. The UN peacekeeping mission in southern Lebanon said the attacks breached Security Council Resolution 1701, which underpins the current truce.

The violence comes amid ongoing clashes between Israel and Hezbollah despite multiple ceasefire attempts. Lebanon’s army, which has largely stayed out of the conflict, faces growing pressure as Israeli forces intensify operations and renew displacement orders in southern villages.

U.S. President Donald Trump said Iran remains 'strong' and 'arrogant' as the two countries have yet to reach a final agreement to end their ongoing conflict. Speaking on NBC News’ 'Meet the Press' on Friday, Trump stated that Tehran would eventually have to come to terms, though its leaders were taking time to decide. The Iran-U.S. conflict entered its fourth month last week, with ceasefire talks continuing but no lasting resolution achieved.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio told Congress that the military operation 'Epic Fury' had concluded, describing it as a defensive response to Iranian attacks near the Strait of Hormuz. The closure of the strait by Iran months earlier had disrupted global oil transport, driving up fuel prices and increasing economic pressure on the Trump administration. Trump criticized those pushing for a quick deal, saying such issues take years to resolve.

Trump claimed U.S. forces had destroyed much of Iran’s military capacity, including drone factories and missile sites, though he acknowledged Iran still retained about 21 to 22 percent of its missile arsenal. Recent attacks in the Persian Gulf, including one damaging Kuwait International Airport, showed Iran’s remaining capabilities.

A new global survey by the US-based Pew Research Center shows that Israel’s international image and confidence in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have declined sharply. The “Spring 2026 Global Attitudes Survey,” conducted between February 8 and May 13 across 36 countries with 44,657 adults, found that 67 percent of respondents hold negative views of Israel, while only 25 percent view it positively. Bangladesh ranks among the countries with the strongest anti-Israel sentiment, with 79 percent expressing negative opinions. Turkey tops the list at 97 percent, followed by Pakistan, Malaysia, and Indonesia. In contrast, India recorded the lowest negative sentiment at 28 percent.

The survey also reveals a widespread lack of trust in Netanyahu’s leadership. In Bangladesh, 90 percent expressed distrust, while Turkey, Pakistan, and Malaysia showed similar patterns. Only Kenya and the Philippines reported relatively positive views. The data indicate that negative attitudes toward Israel and Netanyahu have increased compared to 2025, with notable rises in Argentina, Australia, Italy, Nigeria, Poland, and the United Kingdom.

Analysts cited ongoing military operations in the Middle East, regional tensions, and allegations of international law violations as key factors behind Israel’s deteriorating global perception.

The US Department of Defense has reportedly upgraded Israel to the highest level of counterintelligence threat, citing growing concerns over alleged espionage activities within the United States. According to multiple American officials, the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) recently classified Israel as a 'critical' threat following internal assessments. The move comes amid increasing tensions between Washington and Tel Aviv over the Iran conflict and broader Middle East policy differences.

Officials claim Israel has intensified surveillance efforts targeting internal US policy discussions and decision-making processes related to the Middle East. A seven-page DIA report described Israel’s human and technical intelligence capabilities as 'very high' or 'critical,' referencing several incidents that have raised alarm within the Pentagon. Israel has categorically denied the allegations, stating that its intelligence operations target enemies, not allies. The Pentagon declined to comment, while the White House dismissed the report as baseless.

Analysts note that limited intelligence activity among allies is not new, but US officials believe Israel’s recent actions have exceeded normal boundaries. The new assessment is expected to prompt US officials to exercise greater caution during interactions with Israeli counterparts, though intelligence sharing between the two nations reportedly remains unaffected.

India’s Ministry of External Affairs has reported that more than 4,600 undocumented Indian nationals have been deported from the United States over the past eighteen months. Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal disclosed during a press briefing that 1,076 Indians have returned from the U.S. so far this year, while 3,567 were repatriated in 2025 through deportation procedures.

The report highlights that U.S. immigration policy has long been a politically sensitive issue, particularly under President Donald Trump’s administration, which took strict measures to curb illegal immigration. According to the Indian government, it is the responsibility of a country to accept its citizens who are residing abroad illegally, but verification of citizenship must be completed before repatriation.

The ministry added that India and the United States are working in close coordination on the repatriation process for individuals deported for reasons such as illegal entry, overstaying visas, or lacking valid documentation.

Days after a new ceasefire agreement, Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon killed at least nine people, including three Lebanese soldiers. The Lebanese army confirmed that a brigadier general, a captain, and another soldier died when their vehicle was hit between Nabatieh and Marjayoun. Another strike in Saksakiyeh village killed six civilians and injured four others, according to Lebanon’s National News Agency.

The Lebanese army condemned the attacks as deliberate aggression undermining efforts to restore stability and achieve a full ceasefire. It accused Israel of trying to obstruct peace and the withdrawal of its forces from occupied Lebanese territory. Israel’s military confirmed targeting a vehicle, claiming it was acting on intelligence that Hezbollah fighters were preparing an attack near Kfar Tibnit, and insisted its operations were directed at Hezbollah, not the Lebanese army.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun denounced the strikes as a violation of sovereignty and international law. The incident comes amid U.S.-mediated talks and rising tensions involving Iran, Hezbollah, and Israel following months of cross-border conflict.

Seven workers were killed in an explosion caused by methane gas accumulation at an illegal coal mine in Colombia. Authorities confirmed the incident occurred on Thursday in the center of Sutatausa city, with the first victim’s body recovered shortly after the blast and five more found on Friday, according to the National Mining Agency.

Regional governor Jorge Emilio Rey stated on social media that the death toll had risen to seven and announced that the National Mining Agency would conduct a full investigation to determine the cause of the accident. The city of Sutatausa is observing a day of mourning in memory of the victims.

Mining accidents are frequent in central Colombia, both in legal and illegal operations, often due to noncompliance with safety regulations. In May, two other explosions, including one in Sutatausa, killed a total of 13 miners.

Bahrain has condemned Iran for launching seven ballistic missiles targeting the territories of Bahrain and Kuwait early Saturday. The Bahraini Foreign Ministry described the attack as a severe violation of the country’s sovereignty and a threat to Gulf regional security. According to the ministry, the missiles were successfully intercepted, and it praised the vigilance of the Bahraini and Kuwaiti armed forces.

In its statement, Bahrain accused Iran of violating United Nations Security Council Resolution 2817 (2026), which denounced Iranian attacks and any attempt to close the Strait of Hormuz or disrupt international navigation. The ministry urged Iran to immediately halt such unjustified assaults, fully reopen the strait without restrictions, disclose the locations of naval mines, and allow over 20,000 stranded sailors to leave the area safely.

Bahrain emphasized that its patience should not be mistaken for weakness and reaffirmed its commitment to take all lawful measures to protect national security and sovereignty.

The Health Ministry in Gaza reported that 951 people have been killed and 2,984 injured in the enclave since a ceasefire took effect on October 11. During this period, 782 bodies have been recovered from under the rubble. The ministry said that in the past 48 hours alone, Israeli attacks killed five Palestinians and injured 49 others. Among the dead, two were killed in new strikes, one succumbed to earlier injuries, and one body was recovered from debris.

The statement added that many victims remain trapped under rubble or on the streets, and rescue teams have been unable to reach them. The figures highlight the continuing toll of Israeli military actions in Gaza despite the declared ceasefire.

According to the ministry, the situation remains critical as rescue operations face severe obstacles, leaving uncertainty about the total number of casualties still unaccounted for.