Iran’s Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf stated on Sunday that no agreement with the United States will be approved until the rights of the Iranian people are fully guaranteed. He emphasized that Iran will not endorse any deal unless it is certain that citizens’ rights are protected.

Ghalibaf also said that those involved in diplomatic negotiations do not trust U.S. statements or promises. According to Al Jazeera, he mentioned that specialized parliamentary committees will review possible amendments to Iran’s Seventh Development Plan, giving special attention to reconstruction efforts for war-related damages.

His remarks come at a time when Tehran and Washington are engaged in diplomatic contacts and discussions about potential agreements on various issues.

Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardari has claimed that during last year’s conflict, a Pakistani drone flew close to the residence of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Speaking at a rally in Moro, Sindh province, Zardari said the drone hovered over Modi’s residence for some time and that Pakistan Air Force drones had breached India’s defense lines.

According to reports from Indian media including NDTV, Zardari also asserted that Pakistan’s Air Force had shot down eight Indian aircraft. The remarks come in reference to the 2025 conflict that followed a deadly terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Indian-administered Kashmir, where 25 tourists and a horseman were killed. India launched strikes inside Pakistan in response, prompting retaliatory attacks from Pakistan.

The hostilities were eventually halted after mediation by U.S. President Donald Trampen, leading both sides to agree to end the fighting, according to the same reports.

US President Donald Trump stated that the United States is close to reaching a very good agreement with Iran. In an interview with Fox News, he said that once the Strait of Hormuz is reopened and the nuclear issue is resolved, US forces will be withdrawn from the region.

Trump emphasized that a diplomatic agreement is the preferred option, as signing it would mean the immediate reopening of the Strait of Hormuz for navigation. He added that the strait must be opened immediately and without any fees, and that Tehran must permanently refrain from acquiring any nuclear weapons.

The remarks indicate that Washington’s military presence in the region is linked to progress on both maritime access through the Strait of Hormuz and Iran’s nuclear commitments, though no timeline for the potential withdrawal was mentioned.

Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi pledged to further strengthen Japan’s military capabilities while indirectly criticizing China during a security conference in Singapore on Sunday. Speaking at the annual Shangri-La Dialogue, Koizumi dismissed Beijing’s accusations that Tokyo is pursuing a risky “new militarism,” calling such claims untrue. Without naming China directly, he contrasted Japan’s lack of nuclear weapons with a country possessing vast nuclear and bomber arsenals, questioning the fairness of labeling Japan militaristic.

According to reports from Singapore, Japan under Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is moving toward a more active defense policy, gradually departing from its post–World War II pacifist stance with U.S. support. China has repeatedly criticized this shift, warning it could threaten regional stability. Koizumi countered that China is expanding its military power without sufficient transparency, calling it a serious concern for Japan.

Koizumi said Japan will continue enhancing its defense capabilities with high transparency, including in artificial intelligence, unmanned systems, cybersecurity, and space defense. The Shangri-La Dialogue gathered security officials and experts from about 45 countries, though China again sent a lower-level delegation.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has claimed that a total of 28 vessels, including oil tankers, container ships, and other commercial ships, passed through the Strait of Hormuz in the past 24 hours. According to the IRGC’s naval branch, all ships crossed safely under the coordination and security arrangements of the IRGC Navy.

The IRGC statement, published by Iran’s semi-official Fars News Agency, added that the ‘intelligent control’ of the Strait of Hormuz is being maintained with regular strictness and oversight. The strait is one of the world’s most critical energy transport routes, through which large volumes of oil and goods are shipped daily.

Experts note that any military or security activity in this region could influence global markets due to its strategic importance in global energy transportation.

State Minister for Shipping Md. Rajib Ahsan said that Bangladesh’s waterways will regain their traditional vibrancy through modernization of pontoons and continuous dredging. He made the remarks on Sunday afternoon while visiting the Chandpur river port, emphasizing that the government is working to accommodate high-speed vessels in line with modern demands.

The minister stated that after the Eid holidays, the government is ensuring passengers’ safe return to workplaces by monitoring major terminals and addressing existing problems. He also discussed the halted construction of the Chandpur Modern River Terminal, noting that some work had been completed but stopped after August 5. A new contractor will soon be appointed to finish the remaining work quickly, which he said will help restore the port’s heritage.

Officials from the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA), local government representatives, and political leaders were present during the visit.

Iran’s state media reported that a draft memorandum of understanding with the United States includes a clause for releasing $12 billion in Iranian assets currently frozen abroad. The report, aired on Saturday from Tehran, cited an ‘informal’ draft, though the White House dismissed similar claims earlier in the week as fabricated. The proposed memorandum is linked to ongoing efforts to end the conflict between the two countries.

According to the state television report, the United States allegedly pledged to grant Iran full access to its $12 billion within 60 days, allowing unrestricted transfer and spending through banks of Iran’s choice. However, U.S. President Donald Trump stated on Friday that no financial transactions would occur until further notice. Iranian media later contradicted the claim of imminent asset release, citing informed sources.

The report also mentioned that Tehran would continue managing the Strait of Hormuz, which it has blocked since the conflict began, causing global market instability. Trump, however, insisted that Iran would reopen the strait for free navigation, a demand Washington has repeatedly emphasized.

A gunfight occurred between Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and an armed robber group on the Naf River near Hnila in Teknaf upazila of Cox’s Bazar on Saturday evening. The incident took place around 6 p.m., leading to the detention of two Rohingya fishermen. According to local sources and eyewitnesses, the fishermen were fishing in a small boat when an armed group in a motorized vessel chased them. The fishermen attempted to take shelter near Hnila sluice gate, but the armed group seized their boat.

Lieutenant Colonel Zahidul Islam, commander of the 64 BGB Battalion in Ukhiya, confirmed the incident. He said the armed group fired approximately three rounds at the fishermen and tried to flee toward Myanmar’s Khurer Island after seizing the boat. A BGB patrol team responded quickly, firing five to six rounds as the group crossed the Dubarchar area. Two Rohingya fishermen, identified as residents of the Kutupalong refugee camp, were taken into BGB custody.

BGB reported that the border situation is now stable and under control, with security measures strengthened to prevent further incidents.

The Forest Department has announced a complete three-month closure of the Sundarbans, the world’s largest mangrove forest, from June 1 to August 31, 2026. The move aims to ensure safe breeding for fish, crabs, shrimp, aquatic species, and wildlife. During this period, all entry and resource collection activities, including fishing, honey collection, crab harvesting, and tourism, are prohibited. New entry passes have been suspended, and those already inside the forest have been instructed to leave. Authorities warned that legal action will be taken against anyone violating the ban.

Officials said that uninterrupted calm in the forest during this breeding season helps restore fish populations, plant regeneration, and wildlife numbers, contributing to long-term ecological balance. However, thousands of forest-dependent families in coastal areas such as Shyamnagar, Ashashuni, Koyra, and Mongla are facing severe financial hardship due to the loss of income.

The Forest Department has proposed food aid and incentives for affected families to the relevant ministry. Joint monitoring by the Forest Department, Coast Guard, Naval Police, and Fisheries Department will continue to ensure full enforcement of the ban until the forest reopens on September 1.

Israeli troops have captured a strategic hilltop in southern Lebanon that hosts the historic Beaufort Castle. The Israeli military announced on Sunday that this marks the country’s deepest incursion into Lebanon in more than 25 years. According to the Israeli Public Broadcasting Corporation, the army is focusing on consolidating control over the Beaufort Castle and the nearby Saluki River area.

The fortress, located near the city of Nabatieh, has been a focal point of several major clashes since Israel’s 1982 invasion of Lebanon. Before taking control of the site, Israeli forces carried out days of intense fighting and airstrikes in nearby villages, engaging in heavy battles with Hezbollah fighters. Reports said that control was achieved after heavy shelling and fighting from both ground and air.

The report also noted that Israel and Lebanon have remained in conflict since the establishment of the Israeli state in 1948, underscoring the long-standing hostilities between Tel Aviv and Beirut.

Opposition Deputy Leader of the National Parliament and Jamaat-e-Islami’s central Nayebe Ameer Dr. Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher stated that Jamaat expects to come to state power soon. Speaking on Sunday at Jamaat’s Eid reunion and public reception in Chauddagram, Cumilla, he said that in the 13th National Parliamentary Election, the BNP received 10 percent more votes than Jamaat, while Jamaat secured 68 seats independently and 77 seats in alliance.

Dr. Taher added that during the interim government period, he brought an allocation of Tk 120 crore for infrastructure development in the area and another Tk 100 crore after the election, which took place three months ago. He identified teenage gangs and drug trading as Chauddagram’s main problems, giving those involved six months to change their activities.

The event, held at Chauddagram Central Eidgah ground, was conducted by local Jamaat leaders and attended by several central and district-level party figures, including Maulana Abdul Halim and Advocate Muhammad Shahjahan.

Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi firmly rejected Beijing’s accusation that Tokyo is embracing a ‘new militarism,’ during his remarks at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore on Sunday. He criticized China’s rapid military buildup and lack of transparency, saying such actions are a growing concern for Japan and the international community. Koizumi argued that Japan, which possesses no nuclear weapons or strategic bombers, is unfairly labeled while others with vast arsenals face no such criticism.

Koizumi emphasized Japan’s post–World War II record of respecting international law, upholding the UN Charter, and supporting a free and open international order. His comments came after China’s foreign ministry urged Asia-Pacific nations to resist Japan’s alleged militarist resurgence. At the same forum, Chinese Major General Meng Xiangqing questioned Japan’s credibility in defense cooperation, citing its wartime legacy.

Koizumi expressed regret that he could not meet his Chinese counterpart but reaffirmed Japan’s readiness for dialogue. He said Japan is determined to play a new role in regional defense cooperation and strengthen deterrence, following Tokyo’s recent easing of its long-standing arms export restrictions.

BNP Senior Joint Secretary General and Prime Minister’s Adviser Ruhul Kabir Rizvi Ahmed has accused Jamaat-e-Islami of engaging in extortion under the guise of collecting religious donations, known as hadiya. He made the remarks on Sunday afternoon while speaking at an event organized by the Nationalist Social and Cultural Organization (JASAS).

Rizvi alleged that Jamaat has a history of secretive politics and that some of its members are involved in covert extortion activities. He further claimed that the party is misusing religion to conceal its misdeeds and spreading deliberate misinformation against the government. Rizvi urged Jamaat leaders to engage in constructive criticism instead of false propaganda.

He also stated that while the people of Bangladesh are religious, they do not support Jamaat. Rizvi emphasized the importance of embracing positive global cultural values while remaining vigilant against influences that could harm the country’s cultural identity.

A five-storey building collapsed in Delhi’s Saidul Ajaib area on Saturday evening, killing four people and injuring ten others. Authorities fear more people may still be trapped under the debris, and a large-scale rescue operation is underway to locate the missing individuals. The building, located on Western Marg, housed a coaching institute, a café, and several offices.

Officials reported that the structure was completely reduced to rubble, with debris falling onto a nearby tin-roofed canteen. At the time of the collapse, construction work was reportedly taking place on the upper floors. Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta visited the site to assess the situation.

Rescue teams continue to clear the wreckage as authorities work to determine the cause of the collapse and ensure the safety of surrounding structures.

Iran’s judiciary has ordered the confiscation of assets belonging to 75 individuals accused of assisting foreign enemies. According to the General and Revolutionary Prosecutor of the Central Province, evidence was found linking these individuals to cooperation with foreign adversaries and activities deemed harmful to national security.

The prosecutor stated that 75 cases have been filed in Arak against those allegedly connected to a ‘foreign enemy network.’ Courts are taking steps to expedite the resolution of these cases and enforce the asset seizures. He also warned that those betraying the country or cooperating with Iran’s enemies would face legal punishment.

The report, citing Middle East Eye, highlights the judiciary’s firm stance on actions considered threats to national security, though further details on the accused or the seized assets were not disclosed.