Tehran, Iran – According to Ali Akbar Dareini, a senior researcher at Iran’s Center for Strategic Studies, both the United States and Israel have failed to achieve their objectives concerning Iran. Dareini stated that former U.S. President Donald Trump aimed to dismantle Iran’s nuclear program and force Iran to the negotiating table. “Trump wanted to portray Iran as weakened and left with no choice but to surrender to American demands,” he said. He also noted that Israel sought to destabilize Iran, destroy its nuclear infrastructure, and bring down its leadership—none of which materialized. Dareini criticized the U.S. for squandering previous diplomatic opportunities through aggression and remarked, “Trump, who claimed to be a president of peace, has proven himself to be a president of war.” Regarding Israel, he added, “Netanyahu’s military aggression has cost him the support of some Western allies.”

Russia has launched a hypersonic Kinzhal missile at a Ukrainian military airbase in the Khmelnytskyi region, targeting the Starokostiantyniv base. Alongside the missile, explosive-laden drones were also used in the attack. The Kinzhal, known in the West as the "Dagger," is one of Russia's most powerful ballistic weapons. While Ukraine has not commented on the incident, Russia confirmed six strikes on Ukrainian military sites over the past week. The ongoing conflict began with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022.

Press Secretary Mohammad Shafiqul Alam clarified that the meeting on June 26 between Chief Election Commissioner A M M Nasir Uddin and Chief Advisor Dr. Muhammad Yunus was purely courteous and held without any special purpose. He reiterated the government’s commitment to conducting credible and participatory elections. Shafiqul Alam also noted that fundamental reforms within the Election Commission have already begun. Major ministries have undergone restructuring to improve transparency, and ongoing discussions are taking place with political parties to reform the political, electoral, judicial, police, and other administrative sectors. Highlighting government progress, he mentioned that anti-corruption efforts include reviewing asset declarations of government officials by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) to prevent fraud and malpractice.

Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed readiness to reconnect with former U.S. President Donald Trump, stating he is always open to dialogue and meetings. Putin acknowledged Trump's willingness for talks and emphasized the importance of arranging such engagements. On June 14, prior to the U.S. strike on Iran, both leaders had their fifth phone call this year, discussing the Middle East. Previous conversations focused on restoring bilateral ties and resolving the Ukraine conflict.

The United States reportedly used 60–80 THAAD interceptors in just 12 days to defend Israel from Iranian missile attacks, according to Military Watch Magazine. Each interceptor costs $12–15 million, totaling up to $1.2 billion. The expense highlights the unsustainable cost gap between defense and offense in prolonged conflict. Iran’s barrage included high-speed missiles like Fattah-1, traveling at Mach 15. With limited annual production of THAAD units, replenishment could take years. The system was deployed in Israel ahead of rising tensions with Iran.

Iran’s IRGC has warned that any future attack on the country’s interests will be met with a more devastating response that could hasten the downfall of U.S. dominance. Spokesperson Ramazan Sharif condemned Trump’s recent remarks as a sign of American defeat. Deputy Commander Naqdi warned that any assault on religious leaders would result in deadly consequences for all U.S. personnel in the region. This comes after U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran’s nuclear and military sites, which triggered deadly retaliatory attacks by Tehran.

Rezaul Karim, Amir of Islami Andolan, stated that there is growing public expectation for unity among Islamist groups. “From the beginning, I have advocated for bringing all Islamist votes into one ballot box,” he said. He also noted that not only Islamic parties but several patriotic political groups might join this unified ballot box system in the upcoming elections, InshaAllah. The Chormonai Pir reflected on the July coup’s primary aim to save the country from dictatorship and criticized those undermining fundamental reforms as betraying the July movement. He stressed that unless there is consensus on key issues such as the Proportional Representation (PR) system in both houses of parliament and state principles, a referendum may be necessary. He further emphasized the importance of justice in the political process.

The global market faces turmoil following news that U.S. President Donald Trump may remove Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell, shaking investor confidence and causing a record drop in the dollar’s value. The dollar hit its lowest level against the euro in nearly four years, with fears of political interference undermining the Fed’s credibility and future interest rate clarity. Meanwhile, the euro, pound, yen, and Swiss franc strengthen amid rising global economic uncertainty and expectations of U.S. interest rate cuts.

On Saturday evening, Tarek Rahman contacted Masud Kamal from London to inquire about his health. Expressing his sympathy for the ailing leader, Tarek also discussed the current political situation in the country and shared his thoughts on future prospects during the call. Additionally, he spoke with Masud Kamal’s wife, journalist Shakila Sultana Swati.

Starlink plans to connect through Indian telecom Bharti Airtel at the Petrapole border, linking Bangladesh’s Fiber@Home data center to Equinix in Oman. This arrangement, approved by Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission, supports Starlink’s data transmission service. Experts question the reliance on Indian infrastructure over Bangladesh’s own. The government explains that current submarine cables lack landing rights in Oman, but hopes to establish direct connection by 2026 via the new SMW-6 cable. This move marks a significant milestone in Bangladesh’s digital progress.

NCP leader Hasnat Abdullah emphasized that just as the public is demanding elections by February, they should also demand justice and reform. “Without reform, elections will not yield fruitful outcomes,” he stated. Abdullah stressed that he does not believe in politics driven by revenge. “If someone throws a stone at me, I will respond by offering flowers and embrace them,” he added. Speaking from Debidwar, he recalled past incidents where religious leaders’ beards were forcibly pulled and microphones were shut down during gatherings. He pointed out the high costs involved in becoming Members of Parliament, highlighting that those who sacrificed their lives on the streets did not aspire to become MPs but sought genuine reform for the country. Hasnat Abdullah reaffirmed NCP’s commitment to non-violent politics and vowed never to compromise or bow to injustice.

At a Dhaka conference, water experts from several countries urged the Bangladesh government to reveal the environmental damage caused by upstream water withdrawals from 54 shared rivers. They warned of recurring floods, river drying, and severe ecological disruption impacting agriculture, biodiversity, and livelihoods. The sudden release of water from India's Tripura was cited as a recent disaster. Experts called for a multilateral body to manage transboundary rivers, stressing the need to prioritize nature over political boundaries and protect downstream communities.

Bangladesh's garment sector is facing daily transaction disruptions worth Tk 2,600 crore due to a prolonged work stoppage by National Board of Revenue (NBR) staff. BGMEA President Mahmud Hasan Khan warned that smaller factories risk bankruptcy, threatening worker livelihoods and industry stability. Business leaders criticized the unprecedented NBR shutdown, urging swift resolution to prevent long-term economic harm. While they oppose the call to remove the NBR chairman, they stressed that halting revenue operations endangers the entire economy.

In a joint operation led by the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change, around 6.90 acres of forest land worth Tk 35 crore were reclaimed in Gazipur Sadar Upazila. A total of 205 illegal structures in the Bokran Monipur area were demolished. The operation involved the army, RAB, BGB, local administration, forest department, and police. Authorities emphasized that similar drives will continue under the government’s zero-tolerance policy against forest encroachment and to protect biodiversity and wildlife.

Nasiruddin Patwari, a senior leader of the Nationalist Citizen Party (NCP), has issued a public apology for a congratulatory message he sent to 71 TV, acknowledging that it has hurt the sentiments of many patriotic citizens. “I sincerely apologize to the people of Bangladesh for the message I gave congratulating 71 TV,” Patwari wrote in a statement. “It was never my intention to offend anyone, especially those who deeply value our nation's history and struggle.” He further stated, “I have always stood, and will continue to stand, with those who fight against fascism and injustice. I fully respect the feelings of the people and reaffirm my unwavering commitment to their struggle.” Patwari faced widespread criticism after sharing a message mentioning that "many senior journalists from 71 TV joined us in July," which sparked backlash due to the channel’s perceived political stance.