Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has reaffirmed that Tehran will not abandon its uranium enrichment program, even after attacks by the US and Israel. He stressed that Iran’s nuclear scientists have made immense sacrifices for the nation’s nuclear progress. Despite sanctions and pressure, Iran remains committed to its nuclear ambitions. Professor Foad Izadi of Tehran University suggested Iran might soon exit the NPT, citing unlawful attacks on nuclear facilities. Many parliamentarians reportedly support leaving the treaty.

U.S. President Donald Trump has indicated that nuclear discussions between American and Iranian officials may begin next week. Speaking at a NATO summit in The Hague, Trump dismissed the possibility that Iran had time to relocate its nuclear materials before any U.S. action, citing the materials’ weight and complexity. Secretary of State Marco Rubio noted Trump's openness to dialogue with peaceful parties, adding that resuming talks would depend on Iran’s willingness to engage in the process.

The UK government, led by Prime Minister Keir Starmer, has announced the purchase of 12 American F-35 fighter jets capable of carrying nuclear weapons. This move marks the biggest upgrade to the UK’s nuclear forces in a generation. The announcement was made during the NATO summit in the Netherlands and was praised by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg. The decision aligns with NATO members’ commitment to increase security spending to 5% of GDP by 2035, enhancing defense and resilience efforts.

Iran’s Defense Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh has arrived in Qingdao, China, shortly after a ceasefire was declared. He is set to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) defense conference amid increasing scrutiny from Western countries. Following the recent Iran-Israel conflict, Tehran faces significant pressure and is signaling a strategic pivot toward stronger ties with China and its regional allies. This move comes as nuclear tensions escalate and cooperation with the IAEA declines, potentially reshaping the geopolitical landscape beyond the Middle East.

Banks are not adhering to Bangladesh Bank’s existing loan renewal guidelines, which require full restructuring or renewal within the current loan tenure. Instead, some banks are approving renewals by setting new loan limits that exceed the original, sometimes transferring the excess amount as separate loans—actions against banking regulations. To maintain loan discipline, Bangladesh Bank has issued two strict directives: loans must be renewed within their original tenure, and any excess beyond the original limit cannot be separated or treated as a new loan.

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia has sent a gift package of seasonal Bangladeshi fruits—Langra and Amrapali mangoes, and lychees—to the Amir and Prime Minister of Qatar.

On Wednesday, BNP leader Enamul Haque Chowdhury handed over the gifts to Qatar’s Director of Protocol at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ibrahim Yusuf Abdullah Y Fakhrul.

Chowdhury said the gifts were a gesture of goodwill, with Khaleda Zia expressing best wishes for Qatar’s continued prosperity and the personal health of its leaders. He also recalled with gratitude the provision of a special air ambulance by the Amir of Qatar for Khaleda Zia’s treatment in London.

Iran has announced an extension of the suspension on all domestic and international flights until 2 PM local time tomorrow. The semi-official Mehr News Agency reported this, citing Majid Akhavan, spokesperson for the Ministry of Roads and Urban Development. According to Akhavan, no airlines or their agents are permitted to sell tickets until further notice. This move is part of ongoing measures to manage current circumstances affecting air travel in the country.

Countless people lose their livelihoods and become displaced annually due to climate change, forcing them to live in harsh urban slums with inadequate civic services and no security. At a national advisory meeting organized by Caritas Bangladesh, experts emphasized the urgent need for coordinated efforts to address this growing crisis. Research shows that between 2011 and 2025, up to 26 million people could be internally displaced, with 57% of urban climate migrants originating from coastal areas like Satkhira.

Mahdi Amin, an adviser to Tarique Rahman, has voiced deep concern over the lack of clarity on how many people have died or gone missing in the struggle for democracy.

“It is tragic that even after ten months, we still don’t know how many were martyred or forcibly disappeared. The state should have compiled this information and stood beside the victims’ families,” he said.

He pledged that under a future BNP-led government, each case would be investigated, families would be supported, and mechanisms would be put in place to ensure that institutions like the infamous ‘Ayana Ghar’ (House of Mirrors—allegedly used for torture) are never repeated in Bangladesh.

Environment Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan has called for using alternatives like jute, paper, and cloth instead of harmful polythene. Speaking at the Environment Fair, she highlighted ongoing government actions to curb plastic pollution, enforce bans on single-use plastics, and recover forest and river ecosystems. New policies, including the EPR model and 3R principles, are being implemented. She emphasized that environmental protection is vital for survival and urged active public participation in combating pollution and conserving natural resources.

A 36-member national committee has been formed to commemorate the anniversary of the July-August mass uprising. The committee will be chaired by Interim Chief Advisor Dr. Muhammad Yunus, with Faruq E Azam as vice-chair and Mostofa Sarwar Farooki as coordinator. It includes key government advisors, military chiefs, senior officials, and civil society representatives. The 36-day observance will begin on July 1 with interfaith prayers in memory of the martyrs, continuing until August 5 with various events nationwide.

BNP leader Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Annie has criticized the interim government for not meeting with party chairperson Khaleda Zia over the past ten months.

“Although there was some interaction during Armed Forces Day, we expected a political meeting to discuss future governance, trials for Sheikh Hasina, necessary reforms, and the national election,” he said.

Annie expressed hope that such a meeting would still take place. He praised Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus as a “good man” and noted his recent visit to London, where he met with BNP acting chairperson Tarique Rahman to discuss elections and reforms.

He added that the London meeting was well-received by the public, though “a few individuals are struggling to accept it,” and also condemned what he called the Awami League’s authoritarian governance.

The Amar Bangladesh (AB) Party has rejected the existing appointment system in constitutional institutions, calling it a continuation of fascist policies. Chairman Mujibur Rahman Manju criticized past political appointments under Sheikh Hasina, urging reforms to ensure neutrality and transparency. During a National Consensus Commission meeting, he emphasized inclusive principles like equality and justice. Joint Secretary General Barrister Sani Abdul Haque added that forming independent appointment committees would enhance executive accountability rather than weaken it, promoting fairness in state governance.

At the NATO summit in The Hague, U.S. President Donald Trump compared the Iran-Israel conflict to a fight between schoolchildren. He drew parallels between the U.S. strike on Iran and the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, stating both were decisive actions that ended wars. Trump emphasized that the U.S. investment in confronting Iran yielded little progress without strong measures. Before his speech, he discussed the ongoing tensions between Iran and Israel with NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg.

Trade Adviser Sheikh Bashiruddin stressed the urgent need for policy diversion to overcome 16 years of economic inconsistencies and criminalization in Bangladesh. Highlighting the country’s high logistics costs and the vital role of logistics in agriculture, industry, and services, he urged regulators to adopt clear policies. With a large demographic dividend and growing logistics demand, he emphasized coordinated efforts to boost labor productivity and sustainable growth. The remarks were made at a seminar on automobile policy for green growth.