Following reports of a preliminary understanding between the United States and Iran, Israel’s political arena erupted with sharp criticism. Many Israeli figures described the deal as a strategic disaster for the country and directed their anger toward Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. At a press conference, Netanyahu vowed that Iran would never be allowed to obtain nuclear weapons and claimed he had resisted Iranian demands for Israel to withdraw troops from Lebanon.

Opposition leaders and former officials condemned both the deal and Netanyahu’s handling of it, warning that it could hurt his standing ahead of the upcoming autumn elections. Former Prime Minister Ehud Barak accused Netanyahu of arrogance and misjudgment, saying Israel had grown weaker while Iran gained strength. Rival Yair Lapid called the agreement one of Israel’s greatest foreign policy failures.

Analysts noted that the deal could complicate Israel’s military operations in Lebanon, as Iran has long sought to include a ceasefire there in any U.S.-Iran agreement. Netanyahu now faces the challenge of balancing relations with Washington while maintaining military pressure in Lebanon.

Iran reportedly enlisted senior psychologists to help analyze former US President Donald Trump’s behavior during indirect negotiations with the United States. According to a report by the American outlet Drop Site News, the experts were brought in to assess Trump’s psychological tendencies and to refine messages sent to him through regional intermediaries in an effort to advance discussions aimed at ending conflict.

An Iranian official told Drop Site that two senior psychologists were added to the advisory team after the first round of bilateral talks held in Islamabad in April. The specialists were tasked with helping negotiators craft more strategic communications, taking into account what the team described as psychopathic behavioral traits in Trump. The official claimed that after implementing the psychologists’ recommendations, noticeable improvement was observed in Trump’s responses.

The report suggests that Iran’s approach was intended to make its diplomatic messaging more effective during sensitive exchanges with Washington, particularly as both sides discussed potential terms of a memorandum of understanding.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian stated that Tehran agreed to a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to test whether the United States is genuinely ready to respect Iran’s rights. According to a report by Al Jazeera, Pezeshkian wrote on social media platform X that after long and intensive discussions, nearly all members of Iran’s parliament supported the draft of the MoU.

He emphasized that Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei played a crucial role in ensuring the inclusion of provisions protecting Iran’s national interests. Pezeshkian described the MoU as the result of months of dialogue and sustained diplomatic efforts, calling it an important step toward halting conflict and opening new avenues for negotiation.

The president added that Iran is prepared for all possible scenarios and suggested that if all terms of the MoU are implemented, it could become a document of national pride for the country.

Students of Dhaka University belonging to the Sanatan religious community held a protest rally and demonstration on Monday evening at the Raju Sculpture, condemning an incident in Gaibandha where an image of Lord Ramchandra was allegedly beaten with shoes. The protesters demanded the immediate arrest and exemplary punishment of those involved. The event was organized under the banner of ‘Conscious Students of Dhaka University’ and included participants from Jagannath Hall and several women’s dormitories.

Speakers at the rally said the act had deeply hurt the religious sentiments of the Hindu community and accused extremist groups of trying to create division in society. They criticized the government for failing to ensure justice in previous cases of attacks on minorities and called for swift legal action against the perpetrators. One student leader warned of a larger movement if justice was not served by Friday.

After the rally, the protesters briefly blocked Shahbagh intersection, carrying placards and chanting slogans for religious harmony, action against extremism, and the resumption of construction of the country’s largest Ram statue in Gaibandha.

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf stated that Iran has made significant progress toward what he described as its 'final victory' against Israel and the United States. In a post on social media platform X, he called Iran’s resistance 'historic' and credited the country’s armed forces and people for their role in defending the nation against those who sought its destruction and surrender.

Ghalibaf emphasized that Iran will remain steadfast in protecting its sovereignty and national interests, refusing to yield under any pressure. His remarks come amid heightened regional tensions involving Iran, Israel, and the United States, which have drawn widespread international attention. Iranian leaders have repeatedly vowed to continue their resistance in the face of external challenges.

The statement underscores Tehran’s ongoing defiance and signals a continuation of its current stance amid growing geopolitical friction in the region.

Analysts believe the upcoming United States–Iran agreement could significantly weaken Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s long-standing strategic goals. Early reports suggest the new ceasefire and negotiation framework lacks key Israeli concerns, causing frustration in Tel Aviv. The framework, announced Sunday, reportedly omits restrictions on Iran’s ballistic missile program and its funding of allied groups in the Middle East. Israel fears that easing sanctions could strengthen Iran’s economy and indirectly support groups like Hezbollah and the Houthis, which have previously attacked Israel.

Uncertainty remains over how the deal will address Iran’s nuclear program, including its stockpile of enriched uranium and future enrichment rights. Further discussions are expected during a 60-day ceasefire. Netanyahu also faces domestic political pressure ahead of elections, with polls showing him trailing. His ally, US President Donald Trump, has recently criticized him while calling Iran’s new Supreme Leader pragmatic. Observers say Netanyahu’s recent strike near Beirut may have been politically motivated, but it risks appearing as an attempt to derail the US-Iran deal.

Analysts argue that if the agreement proceeds, it could make the 2015 nuclear deal appear comparatively effective, further questioning Netanyahu’s Iran policy.

In Bangladesh’s Parliament on Monday, State Minister for Local Government Mir Shah Alam faced criticism after two newly formed union councils in his constituency were named 'Simanta' and 'Diganta', matching the names of his two sons. Opposition lawmakers alleged that the unions were named after his family members, violating the Union Parishad Act 2009, which prohibits naming unions after individuals. The minister denied the allegation, claiming the similarity was coincidental.

The controversy arose in the newly created Mokamatla upazila of Bogura-2 constituency, where several unions were reorganized last month. According to the minister, 'Simanta' was named because the area borders another region, while 'Diganta' was chosen for its distant location near the Gaibandha district boundary. He emphasized that the names were selected by the district administration, not by him.

Government MPs expressed support for the minister during the session, while the opposition reiterated concerns about political influence in local naming decisions. The issue has drawn attention to administrative transparency in local government restructuring.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Professor Mia Golam Porwar stated that people in 32 border districts are prepared to assist the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) in resisting any push-in attempts. He made the remarks on Monday at a protest rally in Dhaka’s Shahbagh organized by the 11-party alliance against alleged push-ins, border killings, and abuses by India. Porwar emphasized that Bangladeshis are peace-loving but will not tolerate dominance disguised as friendship, calling for relations with neighbors based on fairness and equality.

Speakers at the rally, including leaders from Jamaat-e-Islami, Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis, and other allied parties, accused India of aggressive behavior and criticized the Bangladeshi government for being submissive in foreign policy. They alleged that India was pushing its Muslim citizens into Bangladesh and violating prisoner exchange agreements. Several speakers also demanded that the government summon the Indian High Commissioner and take a stronger stance on border killings.

Following the rally, participants marched from Shahbagh’s Shaheed Osman Hadi Square through key city points before concluding at Paltan, calling for an end to border violence and push-in incidents.

US Vice President JD Vance stated that Iran could gain access to a $300 billion reconstruction fund if it fulfills certain conditions. The fund would be financed by a coalition of Gulf countries. In an interview with CBS on Monday, Vance said Iran’s access depends on meeting its commitments under the proposed arrangement.

Vance cautioned that Iranian hardliners might emphasize the benefits of the deal while downplaying the concessions required. He clarified that returning $24 billion in frozen Iranian assets is not part of the potential agreement, and the draft text has not yet been released. Supporters of a tougher stance on Iran have expressed concern that any new deal could allow Tehran to channel economic gains to regional allies and armed groups, echoing criticism from the Obama-era asset release.

Vance added that technical discussions would continue even after any agreement is signed. He emphasized that Iran would receive economic relief only if it verifiably refrains from developing or acquiring nuclear weapons. The US remains open to talks on asset releases and possible sanctions easing if Iran commits to long-term nuclear limits.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has called on the media to pursue truthful and objective journalism. He made the appeal on Monday during a meeting at the Secretariat with chief executive officers and news editors of television channels. The prime minister emphasized that the media should present the truth to the public without engaging in political or governmental flattery. He also sought the cooperation of the media in bringing about positive change in the country.

During the meeting, participants discussed the current challenges facing the television industry, including professional difficulties for journalists, job security, and issues related to media freedom. The discussion highlighted the importance of maintaining journalistic integrity while addressing the sector’s ongoing crises.

The prime minister’s remarks underscored the government’s expectation that the media will play a constructive role in national development through responsible reporting and adherence to factual accuracy.

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed announced in parliament that a strong Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) will be established, with a search committee being formed to appoint the commission’s chairman and commissioners. He made the remarks on Monday during the discussion on the supplementary budget for the 2025–26 fiscal year, addressing the additional grant request for the ACC on behalf of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.

The minister explained that the search committee provision existed in previous laws, and although the interim government’s ordinance was not adopted, the earlier law has been revived. He noted that the Chief Justice recently appointed his representative to the committee after a long delay, enabling the government to proceed with its formation. Ahmed emphasized that the government had been sincere in its efforts but faced delays in cooperation.

He added that this is an interim arrangement until the Anti-Corruption Commission Bill is passed in parliament, after which a stronger and more independent commission will be formed to address corruption comprehensively.

The Indian Visa Application Centre (IVAC) has announced new and stricter rules for the visa appointment process, including changes to appointment slots, webfile uploads, and medical visa procedures. The updated guidelines, published on Monday, specify that applicants can sign up and upload webfiles between 2:00 p.m. and 4:30 p.m., while appointment booking will begin at 5:00 p.m. for those who successfully upload their webfiles.

According to the directive, the uploaded webfile must be the original PDF of the visa application form and cannot be older than 30 days. Any altered, edited, or tampered files will not be accepted. For medical visas, IVAC stated that applicants must visit the specific hospital for which the visa was issued. Changing hospitals requires prior approval from the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO).

The notice further warns that changing hospitals without FRRO approval will be considered a violation of visa regulations and may result in future travel restrictions to India.

Road Transport Minister Sheikh Robiul Alam informed the National Parliament that despite a High Court ban, vehicles such as autorickshaws, battery-powered rickshaws, nosimon, korimon, and bhotbhoti continue to operate on highways. He stated that joint operations are being conducted at key highway points by the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA), highway police, and district administrations to address the situation.

The minister made these remarks on Monday in response to a question from Rangpur-3 MP Mahbubur Rahman Belal during a parliamentary session chaired by Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed. In the same session, Sheikh Robiul Alam also provided updates on other transport-related matters, including the number of registered motorcycles in the country and the inclusion of Narayanganj city in the proposed MRT Line-2 route.

The ongoing enforcement efforts aim to ensure compliance with the High Court directive and improve highway safety by restricting unauthorized vehicles from operating on major routes.

Mohammad Selim Uddin, Dhaka North City Jamaat-e-Islami chief and mayoral candidate, has alleged that a group is deliberately attacking religious institutions and shrines across Bangladesh to falsely implicate Jamaat-e-Islami. He made the remarks on Monday while visiting injured khatib Abdul Momen of Mirpur Mazar Mosque at Suhrawardy Medical College Hospital in Dhaka.

Selim Uddin said these attacks aim to destabilize the country and destroy religious harmony. He demanded that those responsible for the shrine attacks and vandalism be identified and brought to justice swiftly. During the visit, party leaders offered prayers for the injured khatib’s recovery.

Later, Selim Uddin met the family of martyr Abdul Hannan in Mirpur-13, honoring the sacrifices of those killed and injured in the July uprising. He reiterated his call for the prosecution of all individuals involved in past massacres.

The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court has concluded hearings on the appeal concerning BNP leader Aslam Chowdhury’s candidacy for the Chattogram-4 constituency. The four-member bench, headed by the Chief Justice, has scheduled June 30 for delivering its verdict on whether Chowdhury can take oath as a Member of Parliament.

The dispute originated from allegations of loan default against Aslam Chowdhury. On January 18, the Election Commission declared his nomination valid, but a bank challenged that decision in the High Court, which later dismissed the petition. The bank and Jamaat-e-Islami candidate Md. Anwar Siddiqui subsequently appealed to the Appellate Division. On February 3, the court allowed the appeal, permitting Chowdhury to contest the election but ordered that the results remain withheld until the appeal’s resolution. Despite this, Chowdhury was unofficially declared the winner in the February 12 election.

Senior lawyers from both sides, along with two court-appointed amicus curiae, participated in the final hearing. The Election Commission is expected to await the June 30 verdict before announcing the official result.