Amid escalating tensions over the Strait of Hormuz, Sultan Al Jaber, chief executive of the United Arab Emirates’ state oil company ADNOC, has publicly denied Iran’s claim of control over the strategic waterway. In a post on social media platform X, he stated that Iran has never had the right to close or restrict navigation through the strait.

Al Jaber warned that any disruption in the Strait of Hormuz could severely threaten global energy supplies as well as food and health security. He described such a scenario as a dangerous and unacceptable precedent that would endanger global stability.

He emphasized that the world cannot bear such a burden and should not allow any attempt to restrict free passage through this vital maritime route.

Iran’s Ambassador to Bangladesh, Jalil Rahimi Jahanabadi, has assured that Bangladeshi ships stranded in the Hormuz Strait will soon be able to cross safely. Speaking on April 12, 2026, at a memorial and anti-war exhibition organized by the Revolutionary Student Council at Dhaka University, he said Iran would provide necessary assistance to ensure the safe journey of Bangladeshi vessels affected by the ongoing war situation.

The ambassador explained that many ships, including some from Bangladesh, were stuck in the strait due to the conflict. He confirmed that Iran was in discussions with the Bangladesh government to expedite their release. Jahanabadi also highlighted the friendly bilateral relations between Bangladesh and Iran, describing Bangladesh as a brotherly nation. He welcomed Pakistan’s mediation efforts regarding Iran–US tensions and thanked Oman and other involved countries.

He further stated that Iran would adhere to the ceasefire as long as the United States respected it, warning that any violation would prompt a response. The envoy accused the US of aggression aimed at regime change in Iran and condemned US–Israeli attacks on civilians, calling them acts of genocide.

A total of 1,060 flights have been canceled at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport due to ongoing security concerns in the Middle East that led several countries to close their airspace. The cancellations have severely disrupted international passenger and cargo transport from Bangladesh. The disruptions began on February 28, 2026, following the escalation of regional tensions.

According to airport sources, the affected countries include Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Qatar, and Jordan, where airspace closures have been partial or complete. Between February 28 and April 12, flight cancellations occurred in phases, with 339 flights canceled in the first ten days, followed by 275, 226, 160, and 60 in subsequent periods.

Officials noted that while the number of cancellations has slightly decreased over time, operations have not yet returned to normal. The resumption of regular flights depends on the reopening of airspace and improvements in the regional security situation. Thousands of passengers, particularly migrant workers and Middle East-bound travelers, have faced significant difficulties as a result.

Iran has identified 3,375 people killed in the recent conflict following joint U.S.-Israeli attacks, according to the country’s Forensic Medicine Organization. The announcement came 40 days after the attacks, as Iran and the United States agreed to a two-week temporary ceasefire. The organization’s head, Abbas Masjedi Arani, stated that among the identified victims, 2,875 were men and 496 were women.

The report, released through official Iranian sources, noted that the full extent of the war’s damage remains uncertain. Disruptions to communication networks and restricted access to several areas have made it difficult to collect complete data. As a result, officials believe the actual number of casualties could be higher than currently reported.

The situation underscores the heavy toll of the conflict on Iran, which has lost several senior leaders and suffered significant destruction during the attacks.

The latest round of talks between the United States and Iran, held in Pakistan, ended without any progress, sparking renewed fears of war. Concern has spread beyond Iran to its southern neighbors, especially after US Vice President JD Vance’s remarks suggested a possible return to conflict. The Strait of Hormuz is seen as a potential flashpoint, as the US has begun mine-clearing operations there without coordination with Iran, which currently controls shipping in the area.

Despite the stalemate, Iranian delegation head Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said future talks remain possible, even though the US failed to gain Iran’s trust this time. Pakistan, the host of the discussions, urged both sides to maintain the remaining ten days of the ceasefire to allow another round of dialogue.

However, optimism faded after Vance stated that Iran had rejected US conditions and that Washington had made its “final and best offer.” The diplomatic path remains open but fragile, with the risk of renewed tension at any moment.

Turkey has strongly condemned recent remarks by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu targeting President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. In a statement, the Turkish Foreign Ministry said Erdoğan was being targeted because of the truths Turkey had revealed on various platforms. The statement described Netanyahu as a 'modern Adolf Hitler' and held him responsible for attacks on civilians in Gaza, also referencing an arrest warrant reportedly issued against him by the International Criminal Court.

Ankara accused Netanyahu of making such remarks to obstruct ongoing peace talks and to continue his expansionist policies in the region. The ministry reaffirmed Turkey’s commitment to ensuring accountability for Netanyahu and to standing by innocent civilians.

Several Turkish cabinet members also criticized Netanyahu’s comments. Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz said the remarks reflected Netanyahu’s guilt and discomfort, while Justice Minister Akın Gürlek described them as evidence of his legal and moral crisis. Interior Minister Mustafa Çiftçi called the accusations baseless, saying they reflected Netanyahu’s frustration and political weakness.

Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Energy announced that the country has fully resumed operations of its key east-west oil pipeline following an attack on Thursday that targeted the pipeline and nearby energy infrastructure. According to the ministry, the incident had temporarily halted the transport of about 700,000 barrels of oil per day.

The ministry explained that Saudi Arabia had reduced its reliance on the Strait of Hormuz after tensions escalated between the United States, Israel, and Iran, which had nearly stalled oil shipments through the strait. As an alternative, crude oil was redirected through the east-west pipeline to a terminal on the Red Sea.

Following last week’s attack, the coastal Manifa production facility has also been reactivated, though repair work continues at the Khurais oil field within the country.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has sharply criticized Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan for his comments regarding the ceasefire between the United States and Iran. In a post on social media platform X, Netanyahu said Israel would continue its operations against Tehran and its allied regional groups.

Earlier in the week, following the US-Iran ceasefire, Erdogan had warned US President Donald Trump to avoid any form of provocation, though he did not specify whom the warning targeted. Responding to this, Netanyahu accused Erdogan of supporting groups aligned with Iran and of committing violence against the Kurdish population in Turkey.

The exchange highlights ongoing tensions between Israel and Turkey amid broader regional instability following the US-Iran ceasefire agreement.

The recent talks between the United States and Iran did not yield the expected results, but Pakistan continues its diplomatic engagement, according to Qamar Cheema, Executive Director of the Sanober Institute. In an interview with Al Jazeera, Cheema described the discussions as one of the most significant diplomatic efforts of the past decade. He said Iran received a final proposal and its delegation must now consult the country’s top leadership, especially after recent US-Israeli strikes killed several key Iranian figures.

Cheema explained that Pakistan’s role was to bring both sides to the table, reduce mistrust, and rebuild confidence, a task he claimed Pakistan accomplished successfully. Both parties reportedly appreciated Pakistan’s mediation, earning it international recognition. He emphasized that the most important achievement of the process was the ceasefire, calling it the central outcome.

Cheema expressed hope that Iran would soon decide on the proposal and return to the negotiation process, describing the situation as ongoing and the diplomatic efforts as continuing.

Iran’s Deputy Parliament Speaker Haji Babai has declared that the Strait of Hormuz is entirely under Iranian control and that all vessels using the route must pay tolls in Iranian rials. The statement follows recent discussions between Iran and the United States, which have reignited tensions over the strategic waterway. According to reports, nearly 20 percent of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas pass through this strait, making it a critical global energy corridor.

The issue of securing safe passage through the Strait was a key condition in the conditional ceasefire between Iran and the United States, but it became a major point of contention during negotiations. U.S. Vice President JD Vance, after talks in Pakistan, avoided commenting on the matter, while President Donald Trump claimed on social media that the strait would soon reopen. The U.S. Central Command reported that two Navy destroyers had crossed the strait to clear mines, a claim Iran denied.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guard warned that any attempt by military ships to pass through the strait would be met with strong resistance, further heightening international concern over global energy supply stability.

At least 30 people were killed in a stampede at a historic fortress in Haiti on Saturday, according to Culture Minister Emmanuel Menard. The incident occurred during a tourism event in the city of Milot, and authorities confirmed that the injured are receiving medical treatment, though the exact number of those hurt remains unclear.

Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé expressed deep condolences and said the tragedy took place amid a large gathering of young people attending the event. He confirmed that an investigation has been launched to determine the cause of the stampede. Local media reported that the event drew a large crowd of students and visitors after being promoted on social media.

The fortress, built shortly after Haiti gained independence from France by revolutionary leader Henri Christophe, stands as a national symbol of freedom and is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The United Kingdom and Australia have voiced deep disappointment after peace talks between the United States and Iran in Islamabad ended without any agreement. Senior ministers from both countries described the outcome as unfortunate and urged both sides to return to the negotiating table. The discussions, aimed at resolving a 44-day-long conflict, concluded without progress despite Pakistan’s mediation efforts.

British Health Minister Wes Streeting told Sky News that the breakdown of talks was disappointing, as hopes were high for a sustainable resolution to Iran’s ongoing war. He maintained that diplomatic efforts must continue despite setbacks. Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong also expressed dissatisfaction, emphasizing that maintaining the ceasefire and resuming dialogue should remain top priorities.

The failure of the talks has heightened global concern amid volatile energy prices and worsening humanitarian conditions. Major powers are reportedly hoping for a lasting ceasefire to stabilize the situation.

A 21-hour closed-door meeting between the United States and Iran in Islamabad ended without any agreement to halt ongoing hostilities. The failure of the high-level talks has placed the fragile ceasefire between the two nations at serious risk. Both Washington and Tehran blamed each other for the breakdown, with US Vice President JD Vance calling the outcome a major setback for Iran.

Iran’s foreign ministry described the failure as expected, noting that it was unrealistic to resolve all issues in a single session. The conflict, now in its 44th day, has already claimed thousands of lives, most of them Iranian civilians. The war has also driven global oil and gas prices sharply higher, creating new strains on the world economy.

Despite the setback, Pakistan’s foreign minister Ishaq Dar said his country would continue mediating between the two long-time rivals. Analysts warned that the collapse of the talks could prolong instability in the Middle East, with direct consequences for global politics and economic stability.

Talks between the United States and Iran in Islamabad have ended without agreement, with both sides blaming each other for the failure. The discussions, held shortly after a fragile ceasefire, were marked by mutual claims of victory in the recent conflict. The negotiations began under tense circumstances following a warning from the US president that included threats to destroy Iranian civilization.

According to the report, no new announcement has been made about resuming attacks on Iran, but the likelihood of renewed hostilities has increased. The reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran had partially but effectively closed, was not addressed in the talks. The presence of two US warships deployed in the Persian Gulf suggests Washington may be considering alternative actions.

The United States cited Iran’s failure to provide credible assurances that it would never develop nuclear weapons as the main obstacle to progress. Iran maintains it does not seek to produce such weapons, but after two wars in a year, domestic support for nuclear capability appears to be growing. The breakdown of these direct talks is being viewed as a significant diplomatic setback.

Talks between the United States and Iran concluded without any agreement, according to Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei. The discussions, held with Pakistan’s mediation, covered the Strait of Hormuz, nuclear concerns, wartime compensation, sanctions relief, and efforts to end regional conflicts. In a post on social media platform X, Baghaei expressed Iran’s gratitude to Pakistan for organizing and facilitating the dialogue.

Baghaei stated that Iranian representatives used all their strength, experience, and knowledge to defend Tehran’s rights and interests. He emphasized that Iran remains determined to protect its national interests and welfare through diplomacy and all available means. The spokesperson also reiterated Iran’s distrust of the United States, citing past hostilities and attacks allegedly carried out by the US and Israel.

He added that the success of the diplomatic process depends on the sincerity and goodwill of the other side, and on recognition of Iran’s legitimate rights. Baghaei concluded by thanking the Pakistani government and people for their sincere efforts in advancing the talks.