Iran’s military has announced new measures to strengthen control over the Strait of Hormuz, the Persian Gulf, and the Gulf of Oman to ensure national security. According to reports from Tehran, the country is adopting new strategies to assert authority over this strategically vital waterway. A spokesperson for Iran’s Khatam al-Anbia Central Command stated that oil tankers or ships linked to Tehran’s ‘opponent’ nations will not be allowed to pass through the strait. The government also plans to impose customs and transit charges on vessels using the route, and the military has begun practicing these new procedures.

Iranian authorities have insisted that all ships passing through the strait must coordinate with Iranian officials. Ship movement in the area is currently lower than usual, while new U.S. sanctions have further complicated the situation. Analysts suggest that Iran is using the Strait of Hormuz as a bargaining tool in regional security and ongoing negotiations.

Iran’s political and military leadership reaffirmed that their principle of ‘security for all or security for none’ will apply equally to the Strait of Hormuz.

US President Donald Trump has praised Pakistan’s army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, describing him as doing a great job. In a phone interview with the New York Post, Trump said that discussions between the United States and Iran could resume within the next two days. He noted that talks were ongoing but progressing slowly.

According to the report, Trump called the newspaper’s representative again about half an hour later, suggesting that something significant might happen soon and that the US was leaning toward resuming talks. He linked this optimism to the efforts of Pakistan’s military leadership, saying that Field Marshal Munir was performing excellently. Trump had previously referred to the Pakistani army chief as a “dear” person.

The report also mentioned that Gulf countries were interested in helping Pakistan facilitate renewed dialogue between the United States and Iran, highlighting Islamabad’s potential diplomatic role in easing regional tensions.

A long-distance bus traveling from Sylhet to Cox’s Bazar came to a stop in Sitakunda, Chattogram, on Wednesday morning, April 15, 2026, due to a fuel shortage. Around 30 passengers were stranded on the Dhaka–Chattogram highway near Banur Bazar in Bhatiari Union. The bus had departed from Sylhet the previous evening but ran out of fuel midway, causing significant disruption for travelers.

Passengers reported repeated difficulties obtaining fuel during the journey, with the bus assistant attempting unsuccessfully for over an hour to collect fuel from nearby filling stations. One passenger said they had to wait in long lines and pay extra for small amounts of fuel, yet the supply remained insufficient. Another passenger expressed concern about missing a scheduled training session in Cox’s Bazar.

Driver Osman Gani stated that the trip required about 160 liters of fuel, but the bus started with only 70 liters. Despite efforts to refuel en route, most stations could not provide enough fuel, leading to the breakdown. He added that some passengers bound for Chattogram were being assisted with local transport, while alternative arrangements were being made for others.

The United States Navy has intercepted and turned back at least eight oil tankers linked to Iran that were traveling to Iranian ports. According to a report by The Wall Street Journal, the operation began on Monday and involved U.S. naval forces halting the vessels mid-route and instructing them to change course and return. The tankers complied with the orders after radio communication with U.S. personnel, and no boarding or physical inspection was required.

The report indicated that this action is believed to be part of a declared U.S. naval blockade against Iran. The tankers’ redirection marks a continuation of maritime enforcement measures targeting Iranian oil shipments. The report did not mention any confrontation or resistance from the Iranian side.

The move underscores ongoing maritime tensions between the United States and Iran, though the source did not specify the broader diplomatic or economic consequences of the blockade enforcement.

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has arrested Md. Majedul Haque Helal from Chattogram for allegedly selling the firearm used in the murder of Sharif Osman Hadi, spokesperson of Inquilab Moncho. CID has sought a seven-day remand for Helal to facilitate further investigation. The hearing on the remand petition is scheduled to take place before Dhaka’s Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Jashita Islam on Wednesday.

According to the remand petition, the pistol used in the killing was recovered from Narsingdi, where a case under the Arms Act was filed. Forensic tests confirmed that bullets found at the crime scene were fired from the recovered weapon. The investigation traced the pistol’s serial number, revealing that it was imported by M I H Arms Co. in Dhaka, later sold through several dealers before reaching Helal’s shop, Hamidul Haque Arms & Co. in Chattogram.

The petition further stated that Helal’s shop license, originally issued to his father, expired in 2014 and was not renewed. Investigators aim to determine how the weapon reached the suspects’ possession through Helal.

Several Gulf countries have shown interest in supporting Pakistan’s diplomatic initiative to bring the United States and Iran back to the negotiating table. The move comes amid ongoing regional tensions that analysts say have significantly affected security and energy infrastructure across the Middle East. Concerns have grown over the potential closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital route for global oil shipments.

Kuwait, which relies almost entirely on oil exports through the strait, faces particular vulnerability as about 90 percent of its national income comes from the energy sector. A spokesperson for Qatar’s foreign ministry confirmed that Doha has already held discussions with Pakistan and the United States on the issue and is maintaining direct contact with Iran. Recent days have also seen multiple telephone conversations among Iran, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia.

Analysts believe Gulf countries want the ceasefire to hold and tensions to ease through diplomatic engagement. They expect more active regional diplomacy in the coming days to strengthen Pakistan’s mediating role.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman announced that the government has decided to recruit 500,000 new government employees. He stated that recruitment for 2,879 positions under the Ministry of Public Administration and its affiliated offices is already underway. The announcement was made on Wednesday morning during the 14th day of the first session of the National Parliament, in a written reply to a question from a member of parliament.

In another written response, the Prime Minister said that a project related to the ‘e-Health Card’ initiative is awaiting approval. Under a 180-day program, the government plans to distribute e-Health Cards to citizens once the project is approved. He also addressed a question regarding training for primary school teachers in English, emphasizing that the government’s manifesto prioritizes improving teaching quality and skills through special training programs.

These initiatives reflect the government’s focus on expanding public employment, enhancing healthcare access through digital means, and strengthening the education sector through teacher training programs.

Joint Secretary of the Energy and Mineral Resources Division, Monir Hossain Chowdhury, stated that Bangladesh will not face any fuel shortage in the next two months based on current supply and reserves. He made the remarks during a briefing at the Secretariat on Wednesday afternoon.

According to Monir, from March 3 to April 14, a total of 9,116 operations were conducted across the country, resulting in 3,510 cases filed. Authorities collected fines amounting to 15.6 million taka and sentenced 45 individuals to imprisonment. The drives led to the recovery of 542,236 liters of illegal fuel, including diesel, octane, petrol, and furnace oil.

He further detailed that the country currently holds reserves of 101,385 metric tons of diesel, 31,821 metric tons of octane, 18,211 metric tons of petrol, 77,546 metric tons of furnace oil, and 18,223 metric tons of jet fuel, ensuring stability in fuel supply for the near term.

The government will begin issuing licenses to footpath vendors in Dhaka as part of a new initiative led by the Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC). Administrator Md. Abdus Salam announced the plan on Wednesday after inaugurating a pilot project to clear the sidewalks in front of Dhaka Medical College Hospital. He emphasized that all businesses, including those on footpaths, must obtain permission from the city corporation and operate through legal procedures.

According to Abdus Salam, the government will prepare a list of footpath vendors and issue licenses accordingly. Guidelines will also be introduced to ensure that vendors are properly spaced and that overcrowding is avoided. He added that the police will conduct a survey within a week to help bring order to the system.

The initiative aims to balance urban order and livelihood needs by regulating street vending through formal licensing and coordination between citizens and the city corporation.

Gaza’s Civil Defense agency reported on Tuesday that at least ten people were killed in separate Israeli airstrikes across northern Gaza. Among the dead was a three-year-old child named Yahia al-Mallahi. The agency’s spokesperson, Mahmoud Basal, said four people, including the child, were killed when a police vehicle in Gaza City was targeted. Al-Shifa Hospital confirmed receiving the bodies of the victims, while the Palestinian Interior Ministry stated that the airstrike on the police vehicle caused multiple casualties and injuries.

Earlier, one person was killed in Beit Lahia, where the Israeli military claimed to have targeted an “armed individual” described as a “terrorist.” Later, another strike near the Al-Shati refugee camp killed several more people when a drone fired two missiles at a group near an electrical equipment warehouse. The Israeli army said it was reviewing the incidents.

Authorities noted that despite a declared ceasefire following the October 7, 2023 conflict, violence in Gaza continues, with hundreds reportedly killed since the truce. Analysts warned that the ongoing clashes are worsening the humanitarian crisis.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has stated that much of the anticipated damage to the global economy from the ongoing conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran has already occurred. During its spring meeting in Washington, the IMF released a new economic forecast, noting that even if the conflict were to end immediately, global growth would still slow down.

The IMF further cautioned that if the conflict continues and infrastructure damage worsens, global growth could fall to around 2 percent, while inflation may exceed 6 percent next year. According to IMF experts, the impact will not be uniform across countries, with Middle Eastern oil-producing nations facing the greatest losses.

Developing economies are expected to feel nearly twice the impact compared to advanced economies, particularly those dependent on energy imports. Analysts also warned that continued instability in global energy markets and supply chains could further drive inflation in food, energy, and transport sectors.

Ziaul Haque, a 67-year-old retired agriculture officer and adviser to the Jamalpur District Awami League, died late Tuesday night while being taken to Mymensingh Medical College Hospital. He had been suffering from diabetes and kidney disease and fell seriously ill while in Jamalpur District Jail. His condition worsened on Tuesday afternoon, prompting authorities to transfer him for advanced treatment, but he passed away en route.

Ziaul Haque, a resident of Haridrata village in Digpait Union under Jamalpur Sadar upazila, had been in custody since January 15 after being arrested in a case filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission over recruitment irregularities at Digpait DK High School, where he served as managing committee president. His family alleged that negligence in providing medical care led to his death.

Jamalpur Jail Superintendent Lipi Rani Saha confirmed the death but denied any negligence, stating that the prison’s on-duty doctor had provided treatment to the detainee before his transfer.

Bangladesh has been ranked 95th in the latest global passport index published by Henley & Partners, moving down from its previous position of 93rd. According to the new ranking released on April 15, 2026, Bangladeshi passport holders can now travel to 36 countries without obtaining a visa in advance.

The list of 36 destinations includes Barbados, Bhutan, British Virgin Islands, Burundi, Cambodia, Cape Verde Islands, Comoro Islands, Cook Islands, Djibouti, Dominica, Fiji, Grenada, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, Jamaica, Kenya, Kiribati, Madagascar, Maldives, Micronesia, Montserrat, Nepal, Niue, Rwanda, Samoa, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Sri Lanka, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Bahamas, Gambia, Timor, Trinidad and Tobago, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu. However, not all of these countries allow direct entry; some require on-arrival or electronic visas.

Globally, Singapore retained the top position in the index, followed by Japan, South Korea, and the United Arab Emirates in joint second place. Sweden ranked third, while Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, and Switzerland shared the fourth position.

US President Donald Trump has said that discussions between the United States and Iran could resume within the next two days. He made the remarks in a phone interview with the New York Post, noting that talks were ongoing but progressing slowly. About half an hour later, Trump called the newspaper again, suggesting that their correspondent should stay in Islamabad, where the first round of talks had taken place, because something might happen soon.

Trump added that the likelihood of renewed discussions was high, crediting Pakistan’s army chief for doing an excellent job. He had previously referred to the Pakistani military leader as a close ally. The comments were reported by the BBC and cited by the Bangladeshi outlet Amar Desh.

The report also mentioned that Gulf countries have shown interest in helping Pakistan facilitate renewed dialogue between the United States and Iran, indicating a possible regional effort to ease tensions.

Israeli forces are carrying out large-scale destruction in villages across southern Lebanon, mirroring tactics used in Gaza, according to a report by Israeli newspaper Haaretz published on April 15, 2026. The report cites an Israeli military officer who said troops are following the same approach as in Gaza, maintaining a list of houses to demolish and measuring success by the number of buildings destroyed each day.

Haaretz reported that bulldozers are flattening homes in border villages to clear space for new military outposts. A soldier interviewed by the outlet suggested that the nature of new constructions indicates Israel may be planning a long-term presence in the area. The report also noted that Israeli troops have advanced to villages about 20 kilometers south of Lebanon’s Litani River.

The Gaza-style “scorched earth” policy in Lebanon has raised concerns about a renewed humanitarian and geopolitical crisis in the region, according to the report sourced from Al Jazeera.