Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has declared that the Strait of Hormuz will never return to its previous state, saying conditions have permanently changed for the United States and Israel. In a social media statement, the IRGC Navy said it is in the final stage of military preparations to implement a new system Iran plans to introduce in the Persian Gulf region.

Earlier, an Iranian parliamentary committee approved a draft law proposing transit fees for ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz, to be paid in Iran’s national currency. The draft also calls for a complete ban on U.S. and Israeli vessels and reciprocal restrictions on countries imposing unilateral sanctions on Iran. The plan includes provisions on Iran’s sovereignty, armed forces’ control, maritime security, environmental protection, and legal cooperation with Oman.

Meanwhile, former U.S. President Donald Trump has issued multiple ultimatums demanding Iran reopen the strait, warning of strikes on Iranian power plants and infrastructure if it fails to comply. Russia, China, and other countries have expressed deep concern over the escalating situation.

The Bangladesh government is facing severe fiscal pressure as revenue collection in the first eight months of the 2025–26 fiscal year fell short by over Tk 710 billion, while foreign loan disbursements remained far below expectations. To cover expenses, the government borrowed Tk 1.05 trillion from domestic sources, mostly from the banking sector. Rising global oil prices have increased import costs, forcing the government to provide large fuel subsidies, including Tk 160.45 billion for diesel and octane between March and June.

Exports have declined for eight consecutive months, with earnings down 4.85 percent in the first nine months of the fiscal year. Despite record remittance inflows of USD 3.75 billion in March, economists warn that the Middle East conflict could disrupt this key source of foreign exchange. Former World Bank economist Dr. Zahid Hossain noted that balancing income and expenditure has become difficult and warned that further borrowing or money printing could fuel inflation.

Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury acknowledged three major challenges—weak inherited economy, election pledges, and rising oil prices—while emphasizing investment and resource efficiency over money printing. Economic advisers stressed the need to rely on revenue mobilization and reduce subsidies to maintain stability.

Bangladesh has begun experiencing widespread power outages even before the onset of summer due to a severe fuel shortage and rising electricity demand. On Sunday, the national grid supplied 12,894 megawatts against a demand of 13,530 megawatts, resulting in 607 megawatts of load shedding across the country. Officials from the Power Division and related agencies said that fuel shortages have limited electricity generation capacity, with oil-based power production dropping by nearly half within a day.

According to official data, gas-based plants are producing between 4,500 and 5,000 megawatts, while coal-based plants contribute about 4,000 megawatts. Imports from India’s Adani, Bheramara, and Tripura plants average 1,800 megawatts. The Power Development Board (PDB) owes around Tk 46,000 crore to power producers, including Tk 14,000 crore to private oil-based plants. The PDB has requested Tk 20,000 crore in emergency funds to maintain supply during the summer and irrigation season.

The government has also adjusted its energy-saving measures, allowing shops and malls to remain open until 7 p.m. instead of 6 p.m., following appeals from business owners.

Iran has condemned U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent threat to destroy the country’s infrastructure if the Strait of Hormuz is not reopened. On Sunday, April 5, Trump warned that Iran would face devastating attacks on its bridges and power plants, saying the country would be forced to live in hell if it did not comply. Iranian officials denounced the remarks as a “dangerous game” and described them as an incitement to war crimes.

Following Trump’s comments, Iran claimed to have shot down two U.S. C-130 warplanes and two Black Hawk helicopters. The statement came as Trump confirmed that an American officer missing after an F-15E fighter jet was downed in Iran had been rescued. The exchange of threats and military claims has further heightened tensions between the two nations.

The situation underscores the fragile state of U.S.-Iran relations, with both sides trading accusations and military actions in a volatile regional environment.

Hundreds of thousands of Bangladeshi expatriates in the United Arab Emirates are facing severe hardship as regional conflict and economic stagnation disrupt their livelihoods. The report describes widespread fear of drone and missile attacks, coupled with a sharp decline in income as schools and tourism sectors have stalled. Taxi drivers have seen earnings fall by about 70 percent, while many cleaners and construction workers have lost their jobs. Rising food and housing costs have pushed many into crisis, and several expatriates have been detained for unknowingly sharing war-related videos online.

Information technology specialist Mohammad Minhaj Uddin and Dubai-based worker Mohammad Zahed Ullah told the newspaper that many Bangladeshis are living in uncertainty and fear, with some killed or injured in recent attacks. They said diplomatic support from Bangladesh remains limited, while supply chain disruptions through the Hormuz Strait have driven up prices of essentials and fuel. Companies are cutting costs and delaying salaries, forcing many workers to consider returning home.

According to official data, the UAE hosts 1–1.2 million Bangladeshi workers, contributing 15–18 percent of Bangladesh’s total remittance. Prolonged instability could significantly affect the country’s foreign exchange reserves.

U.S. President Donald Trump has announced a precise deadline for his ultimatum to Iran, demanding the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. In a post on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump stated that Iran has until Tuesday at 8 p.m. Eastern Time to comply. This corresponds to 3:30 a.m. Wednesday in Tehran, midnight GMT, and 6 a.m. Wednesday in Bangladesh.

Earlier, in an interview with The Wall Street Journal, Trump warned that if Iran failed to act by Tuesday evening, no power plant or bridge in the country would remain intact. The ultimatum follows months of conflict that began in February, which led to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz and raised fears of a global energy crisis.

The situation has drawn international attention as the standoff threatens to escalate military tensions and disrupt global oil supply routes, with observers watching closely for Iran’s response before the deadline.

Russia has called on the United States to refrain from using the language of ultimatums or threats in efforts to ease ongoing tensions with Iran. Moscow stated that Washington should return to the negotiating table instead of escalating the conflict. The Russian Foreign Ministry reported that Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov held a telephone conversation with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, during which Lavrov expressed hope that current de-escalation efforts would succeed.

According to the ministry’s statement, Lavrov emphasized that if the United States abandons threatening rhetoric and restores dialogue, it would help resolve the crisis. The statement added that both Russia and Iran urged all parties, including the United Nations Security Council, to avoid actions that could undermine remaining opportunities for a political and diplomatic solution.

The appeal reflects Moscow’s position favoring negotiation over confrontation as regional tensions continue to rise, with both sides calling for restraint and renewed diplomacy.

A delegation from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), led by Resident Representative Stefan Liller, met Bangladesh Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed on Sunday afternoon at his official residence on Bailey Road. The meeting covered a wide range of topics including law and order, police reform, the establishment of an independent police commission, the National Human Rights Commission Ordinance, the draft ordinance on enforced disappearance prevention and remedy, and the Rohingya issue.

During the meeting, the home minister welcomed the delegation and expressed belief in gradual and continuous development, noting that UNDP could assist in police restructuring and capacity building. The UNDP representative highlighted the organization’s long-standing cooperation with the National Human Rights Commission and said international best practices were being incorporated into the draft ordinance. The minister stated that both the human rights and enforced disappearance ordinances would be presented to parliament as bills after necessary review.

He also mentioned that the Armed Police Battalion responsible for security in Rohingya camps is not an investigative body but assured that security measures in the camps would be further strengthened.

French President Emmanuel Macron has called for the formation of an 'Alliance of Freedom' that would remain independent from the influence of the United States and China. Speaking at Yonsei University in Seoul, South Korea, Macron emphasized the need for a coalition based on shared commitments to international law, democracy, and climate action. He mentioned potential participation from countries such as South Korea, Japan, Brazil, India, Australia, and Canada.

Macron criticized overreliance on military power and questioned the role of the United States in West Asia, arguing that lasting solutions cannot be achieved solely through bombings or military operations. His remarks came as France opposed a United Nations Security Council proposal authorizing possible military action against Iran, leading to tensions with Israel after Paris declined to support the US-Israeli stance.

Analysts cited in the report view Macron’s position as an attempt to establish a new balance in global politics, enabling middle powers to assert greater strategic autonomy.

The Ministry of Home Affairs of Bangladesh has transferred six police officers, including two of Deputy Inspector General (DIG) rank, in a simultaneous reshuffle. The order was issued on Sunday by the Police-1 branch of the ministry. According to the notification, Dhaka Metropolitan Police Joint Commissioner (Additional DIG) Raihan Uddin Khan has been transferred to the Police Headquarters as Additional DIG. AIG Saheli Ferdous, recently promoted to Additional DIG, has been posted to the Armed Police Battalion (APBn). Highway Police Superintendent Kazi Md. Shoaib has been reassigned to the Barishal Range DIG office as Superintendent of Police.

The same order also transferred Superintendent of Police Md. Moniruzzaman to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) as SP. DIG Saleh Mohammad Tanvir of Police Headquarters (TR post) has been reassigned within the same office, while DIG Mahfuzur Rahman of the TR post has been transferred to the Rajshahi Sardah Police Academy as DIG. The notification, signed by Deputy Secretary Tawsif Ahmed, stated that the transfers were made in the public interest and would take immediate effect.

France has announced that it will not provide any offensive weapons to Israel, citing the ongoing tensions surrounding Iran. The statement was reported by PressTV on Sunday. French Defense Minister Catherine Vautrin clarified in a social media post that France is not supplying arms to Israel. She explained that France has only authorized the sale of certain components used in air defense systems, such as projectiles for the Iron Dome, and some equipment also used by the French armed forces.

A few days earlier, French President Emmanuel Macron stated that France would not join any aggression against Iran on behalf of the United States or Israel. The announcement underscores France’s cautious stance in the escalating regional situation.

The decision reflects France’s effort to maintain a balanced position in the Middle East while avoiding direct involvement in potential military confrontations linked to Iran.

Iran has announced that it will not reopen the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz until it receives war compensation. According to a report by Al Jazeera citing the Iranian president’s office, the statement was made on Sunday. Seyyed Mehdi Tabatabaei, the president’s communications adviser, said in a social media post that under a new legal framework, the strait would only reopen once compensation is paid through transit fees.

Tabatabaei also sharply criticized recent remarks by Donald Trump, accusing him of making inappropriate and meaningless comments out of frustration after threatening attacks on Iran’s civilian infrastructure over the closure of the strait. The Strait of Hormuz is a critical route for global energy supplies, and the ongoing closure has heightened tensions in international markets and raised concerns about regional security.

The report noted that pressure on Iran is increasing, but the country remains firm in its decision not to reopen the strait until its conditions are met.

U.S. President Donald Trump has once again threatened Iran with an ultimatum, warning that the country must reopen the Strait of Hormuz by Monday, April 6, or face severe consequences. According to BBC reports cited by the source, Trump reiterated his warning on April 5, following a series of previous ultimatums issued since the start of the U.S.-Israeli attacks on Iran.

Trump’s first ultimatum on March 21 demanded that Iran reopen the waterway within 48 hours or face the destruction of its power plants. On March 23, he announced that productive talks had led to a five-day suspension of planned strikes. A third ultimatum on March 27 extended the deadline to April 6 at Iran’s request. As the deadline approached, Trump issued a final 48-hour warning on April 4 and repeated the same threat on April 5, adding that Iran’s power plants and bridges would be targeted if no deal was reached.

The Iranian government has repeatedly rejected Trump’s claims, asserting that his statements lack any factual basis.

At least ten people, including the officer-in-charge of Lakshmipur Sadar Model Police Station Wahid Parvez, were injured when police clashed with anti-discrimination student protesters in Lakshmipur town on Sunday evening. The confrontation occurred around 5:30 p.m. in front of Chawk Bazar Mosque after Section 144 had been imposed to prevent gatherings. The situation led to panic in the area, with shops closing and additional police deployed.

According to police and local administration, the tension began the previous night following an altercation between a member of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement and a district Chhatra Dal leader. In response, the student group called for a protest march, while Chhatra Dal supporters under the banner of July Fighters announced a counter rally. Authorities imposed Section 144 from 4:30 p.m. to prevent unrest.

Leaders from both groups blamed each other for the violence. The Anti-Discrimination Student Movement alleged police used force against their peaceful protest, while police said the clash erupted as both sides attempted to hold simultaneous programs despite restrictions.

U.S. President Donald Trump has alleged that Kurdish groups retained weapons that Washington had attempted to send to anti-government protesters in Iran earlier this year. In an interview with Fox News, Trump revealed that the United States tried to deliver a large number of guns to Iranian demonstrators in January, but the weapons never reached their intended recipients.

Trump stated that the arms were sent through Kurdish intermediaries, though he did not specify which Kurdish group was involved or provide further details about the operation. According to him, the Kurds kept the weapons for themselves instead of passing them on to the protesters.

The remarks shed light on a previously undisclosed U.S. effort to support Iranian protesters and raise questions about the role of Kurdish groups in the failed transfer.