Former US National Counterterrorism Center director Joe Kent has alleged that the United States launched its military operation against Iran under pressure from Israel and its influential lobby. According to a Fox News report, Kent wrote on social media that before the conflict began, US intelligence agencies had assessed that Tehran was not developing nuclear weapons and had warned that an attack could provoke Iranian retaliation against American bases and disrupt the Strait of Hormuz.

Kent said professional intelligence assessments were ignored in favor of Israel’s political agenda, arguing that strikes on Iranian leadership would strengthen, not weaken, the regime. He resigned in March citing ethical reasons, reiterating that Iran posed no immediate threat to the US. The White House, through spokesperson Davis Ingle, dismissed Kent’s claims as baseless and misleading, asserting that President Donald Trump acted on strong intelligence and prioritized American safety.

Trump also denied that Israel pressured him into war, saying his decision followed regional tensions after October 7, 2023, and concerns over Iran’s nuclear ambitions. Kent’s remarks have reignited debate in Washington over the true motivations behind the Iran conflict and the role of intelligence assessments.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has declared the restoration of public trust in the police and improvement of law and order as top national priorities. In a statement issued on Saturday, ahead of Police Week 2026 to be observed on Sunday, he said that after more than fifteen years, a democratic government has been established through a free and fair election, bringing peace and relief to the public. Citizens now expect a society free from fear, abduction, and injustice, where safety and security are guaranteed.

The Prime Minister emphasized that law enforcement, particularly the police, play a vital role in maintaining stability and ensuring public safety. He noted that a professional and responsible police force is essential for upholding state stability and public confidence. He extended greetings to all current, former, and retired police personnel on the occasion of Police Week 2026.

Rahman also highlighted the police’s contributions in national elections and international peacekeeping missions, calling for modernization and capacity building to meet global challenges. He urged stronger police action against mob violence, youth gangs, and drug proliferation to sustain democratic progress.

National Citizens Party (NCP) convener and opposition chief whip Nahid Islam has accused the government of stalling the formation of the July Charter and the Constitutional Reform Council. Speaking at a dialogue with diplomats from various countries in Dhaka’s Gulshan area on Saturday, he said the government was using deception over the reform process. The event, titled “Reform Deadlock: The Way Forward,” was organized by the NCP’s Reform Implementation Committee and attended by diplomats from several European Union member states.

Nahid Islam alleged that both the government and the BNP were engaging in political trickery regarding the reforms. He said that although top leaders had supported a referendum before the election, they opposed it after coming to power. He emphasized that reforms must be participatory, transparent, and based on sovereign authority. He also stated that the NCP preferred peaceful and nonviolent movements but warned that stronger action would follow if the government ignored their demands.

He further stressed the need for a Constitutional Reform Council to ensure fundamental changes such as establishing an upper house, caretaker government, independent judiciary, and transparent appointments to constitutional bodies.

Actor C. Joseph Thalapathy Vijay’s party, TVK, has secured a legislative majority in Tamil Nadu, ending a period of political uncertainty. The Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) and Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) have extended unconditional support, bringing the alliance’s total to 120 seats, surpassing the 118-seat threshold required to form a government. This development clears the way for the state’s first coalition government and strengthens Vijay’s prospects of being sworn in as Chief Minister.

Both VCK and IUML hold two seats each, and their backing has resolved the post-election uncertainty over majority formation. Celebrations reportedly began at the TVK headquarters following the announcement. In a letter to Governor R. N. Ravi, VCK President Thol Thirumavalavan confirmed his party’s unconditional support, citing the need for a stable and democratic government for the people of Tamil Nadu.

Vijay is expected to submit letters of support from all 118 alliance legislators to the Governor, after which he may receive an official invitation to form the government.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer and Leader of the Opposition in Parliament, Dr. Shafiqur Rahman, has called on citizens to join the party’s movement to realize the ideals and unfinished work of former Jamaat chief and ex-minister Maulana Matiur Rahman Nizami. In a statement issued to the media on Saturday ahead of Nizami’s execution anniversary, he paid deep respect to Nizami’s contributions and described him as a visionary Islamic thinker and principled political leader.

Dr. Rahman highlighted Nizami’s lifelong efforts to establish an Islamic welfare state through democratic means, his leadership in promoting Islamic education, and his role in securing government recognition for Qawmi madrasa education. He also recalled Nizami’s service as Minister of Agriculture and Industry, noting his integrity and leadership in revitalizing the industrial sector.

The Jamaat leader further mentioned Nizami’s international recognition, including his inclusion in global surveys of influential Muslim figures, and his authorship of numerous books. Dr. Rahman concluded by praying for Nizami’s acceptance as a martyr and his highest place in paradise.

Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis chief Maulana Mamunul Haque has expressed deep concern and condemnation over reports of persecution, eviction drives, and communal violence targeting Muslims in India’s West Bengal and Assam. During the party’s central executive council meeting on Saturday, he announced a protest march in Dhaka on Sunday to denounce what he described as ongoing killings of Muslims in India.

Haque said attacks on Muslim homes, businesses, mosques, and Eidgahs in districts such as Darjeeling, Uttar Dinajpur, and Murshidabad were alarming, and that eviction operations in Assam violated human rights. He accused the Indian government and administration of worsening the situation and urged the United Nations, the OIC, the Muslim world, and the Bangladesh government to take diplomatic action.

The meeting also discussed instability in the Middle East involving Gaza, Lebanon, Yemen, and Iran, calling for lasting peace and unity among Muslim nations. Party leaders further criticized the Bangladeshi government for ignoring the February 12 referendum results and urged nationwide mobilization to implement the verdict.

On Saturday, hours after Suvendu Adhikari was sworn in as the new Chief Minister of West Bengal, Trinamool Congress leader Mamata Banerjee called for a broad political alliance against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Speaking at her Kalighat residence during a Rabindra Jayanti event, she urged left, far-left, national, student, youth, and volunteer organizations to unite against what she described as an environment of terror and repression in the state. Banerjee emphasized that political differences should be set aside to focus on a collective fight against the BJP.

She alleged that administrative obstacles were placed against the ‘Desh Bachao Ganatantrik Mancha’ program and even her own event at Kalighat, claiming that permissions were denied and logistical support was blocked. Despite this, she said the program was completed through their own efforts. Banerjee also accused BJP supporters of spreading violence and intimidation across the state, targeting Trinamool workers and even her family members.

The recent assembly election results gave the BJP a clear majority with 207 out of 293 seats, while Trinamool Congress secured 80 seats. Other parties, including Congress, CPM, ISF, and AJUP, won minor representation.

Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir has strongly condemned and protested the killing of two Bangladeshi citizens by India’s Border Security Force (BSF) near the Kasba border in Brahmanbaria. In a joint statement issued on Saturday, central president Nurul Islam and secretary general Sibgatullah expressed deep concern over the incident, identifying one victim as college student Md. Mursalin and the other as Nabi Hossain. The organization described the repeated killings of Bangladeshi nationals by BSF as tragic and alarming, calling such acts a violation of international law and human rights.

The statement noted that BSF shootings along the Bangladesh-India border have been recurring for years without effective resolution, raising serious concerns about civilian safety. Citing reports from human rights groups and media, Shibir said hundreds of Bangladeshis have been killed over the past decade despite repeated protests and diplomatic discussions. The group demanded a fair and transparent investigation into the latest incident and accountability for those responsible.

Shibir also urged the Bangladesh government to take a stronger diplomatic stance to prevent future border killings and extended condolences to the victims’ families.

Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh Secretary General Mia Golam Parwar stated that his party does not intend to use any national crisis as a means to gain political power. He made the remarks on Saturday afternoon while exchanging views with journalists at the Manab Kalyan Parishad hall in Pirganj, Thakurgaon. Parwar also commented that the BNP’s ‘yes’ vote signified acceptance of all reforms, including the note of dissent, yet the party was unwilling to acknowledge this. He added that such actions would not bring any fundamental change and that authoritarian governance would persist.

Parwar further mentioned that during the energy crisis, Jamaat’s Amir had proposed forming a joint committee of government and opposition parties to discuss solutions. A meeting of that committee was held, and reports suggested that the crisis eased afterward. He said this demonstrated Jamaat’s commitment to resolving national issues rather than prolonging them, emphasizing that the party prioritizes national development over political gain.

District Jamaat Amir Belal Uddin Pradhan and district Imam Association President Fazle Rabbi were also present at the event.

Jamaat-e-Islami leader and Jessore-4 Member of Parliament Professor Golam Rasul has called on the government to implement the verdict of the recent referendum. Speaking as the chief guest at a Rukon conference held on Saturday afternoon at the Jamaat office in Chowgacha upazila, he questioned why uncertainty was being created over the referendum’s validity when no previous referendums in the country had ever been annulled.

Rasul stated that implementing the referendum’s verdict would permanently block the path of autocracy and ensure timely national elections. He added that despite achieving a new form of independence through great sacrifice, the people had yet to experience true freedom. He emphasized that a corruption-free Bangladesh would guarantee the liberation of ordinary citizens.

The event was chaired by Chowgacha Upazila Jamaat chief Maulana Golam Morshed and attended by local MP Dr. Mosleh Uddin Farid, who highlighted ongoing development initiatives in Chowgacha and Jhikargacha. Golam Rasul also announced Jamaat’s chairman candidates for ten union councils in the upazila.

Rakib Hossain Baizid, a former leader of the banned Chhatra League, has been promoted to the Cumilla Metropolitan Chhatra Dal committee as joint organizing secretary. The appointment was part of a 193-member committee approved on May 1 by central Chhatra Dal president Rakibul Islam Rakib and general secretary Nasir Uddin. Allegations have surfaced that several other banned Chhatra League activists were also included in the new committee.

Rakib previously served as joint general secretary of the Baukshar Union Chhatra League in Barura upazila in 2021. He told Amader Desh that he left the Chhatra League after that period and joined the Chhatra Dal. The new committee also includes Irfan Kaif Kasfi and Sohel Rana Shuvo, both identified as former banned Chhatra League leaders.

When contacted, newly appointed Cumilla Metropolitan Chhatra Dal general secretary Faiyaz Rashid Prim did not respond to phone calls. Committee president Nahiduzzaman Rana dismissed the allegations, calling them false and conspiratorial, and said he was looking into the matter.

Agriculture Minister Mohammad Aminur Rashid stated that the BNP government has deep faith in farmers and is committed to their economic prosperity. He made the remarks on Saturday afternoon while visiting Medi Haor in Nasirnagar upazila of Brahmanbaria. The minister noted that 75 percent of the country's population is involved in agriculture and that losing crops after hard labor is a painful experience. Later in the day, he was scheduled to inaugurate a relief program distributing 30 kilograms of rice to affected farmers.

He added that paddy procurement quotas have been set at the district level and that in the future, paddy will be purchased directly from farmers at the union level through public announcements to ensure fair prices. Regarding the Kishoreganj all-weather road, he said a high-level committee is investigating whether it obstructs water flow and will take necessary measures if problems are found.

According to the agriculture department, 11,000 hectares of Boro paddy were cultivated in Nasirnagar this season, of which 305 hectares worth about Tk 13 crore were submerged by floodwaters.

Bahrain’s Interior Ministry announced the arrest of 41 individuals accused of having ties with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The state-run Bahrain News Agency confirmed the report on May 9, 2026. The arrests come amid a broader crackdown by Bahraini authorities on people allegedly connected to Iran.

According to the ministry, several dozen individuals have also had their citizenship revoked for allegedly supporting attacks on Bahrain by Iran. The arrested persons are accused of showing sympathy toward Iran and conspiring with foreign powers. The ministry stated that these individuals collaborated with foreign entities and expressed support for Iran.

The report, citing Al Jazeera, indicates that the arrests are part of Bahrain’s ongoing efforts to counter perceived Iranian influence within the country.

A group of activists from the banned Chhatra League staged a flash procession on the Ramganj-Dhaka highway in Lakshmipur’s Ramganj on Friday night. The participants demanded the unconditional release of Awami League leaders and activists. Police later arrested one participant, identified as Nazmul Islam Mohon, from Udaypur village in Bholakot Union the same night.

Ramganj Police Station Officer-in-Charge Firoz Uddin Chowdhury confirmed the arrest on Saturday afternoon. The report did not mention any further details about the procession’s duration, the number of participants, or whether additional arrests were made.

Authorities have not disclosed what actions will follow the arrest or whether further investigations are underway.

According to a CNN report citing multiple intelligence sources, Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei is playing a key role in shaping the country’s war strategy alongside senior officials. The report, based on U.S. intelligence assessments, indicates that Khamenei may also be guiding how Iran conducts discussions with the United States to end the conflict. The exact distribution of power within Iran’s divided administration remains unclear.

The report notes that Khamenei was seriously injured in an early attack that killed his father and several top military leaders, sparking speculation about his health and leadership role. He was declared Iran’s new Supreme Leader shortly after the attack, but U.S. intelligence agencies have not confirmed his current status. Sources suggest Khamenei avoids electronic communication, relying instead on direct meetings or messengers.

Mazaher Hosseini, head of protocol in the Supreme Leader’s office, stated on Friday that Khamenei is recovering from his injuries and is in good health, urging the public to remain patient amid circulating rumors.