Iran has responded to a United States proposal aimed at ending the ongoing war, according to a report by Iran’s state broadcaster IRIB on Sunday. The broadcaster stated that accepting the US plan would amount to Iran surrendering to what it described as former President Donald Trump’s greed. The statement was released through IRIB’s Telegram channel.

IRIB said Tehran’s response emphasized the fundamental rights of the Iranian nation. Iran’s latest proposal reportedly highlighted the need for wartime compensation from the United States, recognition of Iran’s sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz, and the lifting of sanctions. It also called for the release of Iran’s frozen funds and assets.

US President Donald Trump rejected Iran’s response on Sunday, writing on his Truth Social platform that he had read the reply from Iran’s so-called representatives and found it completely unacceptable. No further details were provided about the content of either side’s proposals.

Bangladesh Bank has announced that it will launch an Islamic interbank money market by June 30, aiming to address liquidity management challenges faced by Islamic banks that cannot participate in conventional interest-based call money markets. The initiative acknowledges a long-standing structural weakness in the country’s Islamic banking system, where banks lack a Shariah-compliant mechanism for short-term borrowing and lending.

However, economist M. Kabir Hassan argues that the proposed model overlooks the sector’s ongoing financial distress and governance failures. Several Islamic banks reportedly have negative equity, high default rates, and allegations of large-scale fund misappropriation. The author warns that introducing an interbank liquidity pipeline among such institutions could spread financial contagion rather than resolve liquidity issues. He notes that Bangladesh lacks essential Shariah-compliant instruments such as central bank sukuk or Islamic treasury bills, which are prerequisites for a functional market.

Hassan recommends that Bangladesh Bank first develop tradable Islamic financial instruments, set eligibility criteria for participating banks, ensure separate clearing systems for Islamic transactions, and strengthen Shariah supervision. He emphasizes that broader reforms, including new legislation and stronger central bank independence, are necessary to restore public trust in Islamic banking.

Strategic analyst and founder of Off the Record Strategies, Mark Pfeifle, has dismissed the ongoing discussions between Washington and Tehran as peace talks. Speaking on May 11, 2026, he described the exchanges as a contest of pressure, with both sides testing who will yield first. According to Pfeifle, the United States is applying pressure through sanctions, naval power, and blockades, while Iran is responding from within the Strait of Hormuz, creating uncertainty and disruption.

Pfeifle explained that the situation has become a waiting game for President Trump, who is reportedly observing how long Iran can endure the strain. He noted that Iran is facing a severe economic crisis, with the rial’s exchange rate falling to about 1.84 million per US dollar. Prices of essentials such as bread and cooking oil have risen by more than 200 percent, and overall inflation stands near 50 percent. A leaked US intelligence assessment, however, suggests Iran may withstand the current pressure for several more months.

Pfeifle concluded that Trump’s next move remains uncertain, leaving the future of the standoff unclear.

Iran has responded to a U.S. proposal aimed at ending ongoing hostilities, but President Donald Trump has rejected Tehran’s reply. According to semi-official Tasnim News Agency, citing a reliable source, Iran’s response emphasized the fundamental rights of the Iranian nation. The reply was delivered through Pakistan, which acted as a mediator between the two sides.

The source stated that Tehran dismissed Washington’s earlier plan, viewing it as an attempt to force Iran into surrendering to Trump’s excessive demands. The source further remarked that no one in Iran writes proposals to please Trump, asserting that the negotiation team works solely to defend national rights. The statement added that if Trump is displeased by this stance, it is considered a positive outcome.

The source also commented that Trump dislikes reality and continues to lose to Iran because of it. The report was originally cited from Al Jazeera, as reported by the outlet Amar Desh.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Dutch Foreign Minister Tom Berendsen held a telephone conversation, according to Iran’s state broadcaster IRIB. The discussion focused on bilateral relations and recent developments in the regional and diplomatic landscape.

IRIB reported on its Telegram channel that the two ministers exchanged detailed views on strengthening cooperation and maintaining regional stability. Before speaking with the Dutch minister, Araghchi also held a phone conversation with Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty on the same day. Tehran’s outreach is part of ongoing diplomatic efforts to ease tensions and promote peace in the Middle East.

The report emphasized that the dialogue between Iran and the Netherlands carries particular importance for enhancing bilateral cooperation and supporting regional stability.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that support for Israel in the United States has declined since the start of the Gaza war, attributing the shift to social media and misinformation campaigns. He made the remarks during an interview with CBS News, emphasizing that Israel has taken extensive measures to move civilians out of conflict zones in Gaza and Lebanon, but that online anti-Israel narratives have proven effective.

According to a Pew Research Center survey conducted in March, 60 percent of American adults now hold unfavorable views of Israel. Netanyahu argued that the drop in U.S. support is almost entirely linked to the rapid growth of social media platforms.

The comments highlight Israel’s concern over changing public opinion in the United States, a key ally, as digital platforms increasingly shape global perceptions of the conflict.

Global oil prices climbed after former U.S. President Donald Trump rejected Tehran’s response to Washington’s proposal to end the ongoing war. On Sunday, Brent crude rose by 3.17 percent to reach 104.50 dollars per barrel, while U.S. crude increased by 3.21 percent to about 98.48 dollars per barrel. U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz said the latest American proposal set a clear red line, but Trump dismissed Iran’s reply as completely unacceptable.

The lack of a peace deal in recent weeks has hindered the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for nearly one-fifth of global oil and gas shipments. Iranian state media reported that a senior military official warned of possible trouble for ships from countries enforcing sanctions against Iran. Meanwhile, the U.S. has maintained its naval blockade on Iranian vessels and ports, attacking two Iranian-flagged tankers last Friday.

Crude prices now stand about 20 dollars higher per barrel than before the war began, raising fuel costs for Americans. Analysts warn that Trump’s rejection could prolong the Middle East conflict, further unsettling global energy markets.

Continuous heavy rainfall, cyclone-related adverse weather, and frequent power outages have severely disrupted operations in several tea estates of Bahubal upazila in Habiganj. Both production and processing activities have been significantly affected, leading to large-scale financial losses estimated at several million taka across five major tea gardens.

According to local sources, persistent rain has prevented timely plucking of tea leaves, causing over-maturity and reduced quality. Lack of sunlight and excessive humidity have further damaged leaf development, while strong winds and landslides have broken branches and harmed plantation structures. Frequent load-shedding has also hindered tea processing, resulting in spoilage of fresh leaves and deterioration in product quality.

Representatives from the Bangladesh Tea Estate Staff Association and local plantation managers have urged uninterrupted electricity supply and immediate assistance from authorities to restore normal operations and mitigate ongoing losses.

U.S. President Donald Trump on Sunday rejected Iran’s response to a U.S. proposal aimed at halting ongoing conflicts. Tehran had conveyed its reply through Pakistan, which acted as a mediator. Without providing details, Trump wrote on his social media platform Truth Social that he had read the response from Iran’s so-called representatives and found it completely unacceptable.

According to Iranian state television, Tehran’s reply emphasized ending fighting on all fronts, with particular focus on the situation in Lebanon and ensuring safe navigation through the Strait of Hormuz. However, the response did not specify how or when the key maritime route might reopen. The U.S. proposal had sought to stop hostilities before beginning discussions on Iran’s nuclear program and other disputes.

Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency reported that Tehran’s proposal included an immediate ceasefire, lifting of the U.S. naval blockade, assurances against further attacks on Iran, and removal of all sanctions, including those on Iranian oil sales.

At least 51 people were killed in Israeli attacks across Lebanon within the past 24 hours, according to the Lebanese Health Ministry. Among the dead were two medical workers, prompting the ministry to accuse Israel of violating international law and humanitarian norms by targeting healthcare personnel.

The ministry reported that since Israel launched a renewed military campaign on March 2, a total of 2,846 people have been killed nationwide. The United Nations stated that more than 130 Israeli strikes during this period have killed at least 103 Lebanese medical workers and injured 230 others. Ali Safiuddin, head of Civil Defense in the southern city of Tyre, told Al Jazeera that emergency workers face constant danger and feel as though they have already sacrificed their lives.

The conflict has displaced over 1.2 million Lebanese since March 2. Despite a ceasefire declared on April 16, the intensity of Israeli attacks has increased rather than subsided.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has declared that the war against Iran is not yet over. He stated that Israel’s operations will continue until Iran’s uranium enrichment facilities are destroyed and the activities of Tehran-backed groups are halted. Netanyahu emphasized that much work remains to be done to counter Iran’s nuclear capability and regional influence.

The statement came as U.S. President Donald Trump rejected a ceasefire proposal from Iran. Israel maintains that military action must persist until Iran’s nuclear program and allied groups’ threats are completely eliminated. Analysts cited in the report suggest that Netanyahu’s remarks signal a possible prolongation of tensions in the Middle East.

The comments underscore Israel’s continued focus on Iran’s nuclear ambitions and its regional network of allies, indicating that the conflict may extend further if no diplomatic resolution is reached.

Farmers in Bangladesh’s haor regions have suffered major losses this season due to inadequate disaster preparedness by local authorities, the agriculture department, and the farmers themselves. Sudden flash floods and continuous rainfall have submerged large areas of Boro paddy fields, leaving farmers unable to harvest their crops. Heavy reliance on machinery has worsened the situation as rising water levels rendered harvesters and reapers unusable. Labor shortages have intensified the crisis, with workers demanding higher wages but unable to meet expected productivity.

According to the Department of Agricultural Extension, around 455,000 hectares of land were cultivated with Boro paddy this season, of which nearly 49,073 hectares were affected to varying degrees. Between 40 and 50 percent of crops in these areas are feared lost, with an additional 10 percent at risk due to unharvested fields. Farmers in Sunamganj, Kishoreganj, and Netrokona reported that many agricultural workers have shifted to other professions such as driving auto-rickshaws, making it difficult to find laborers.

Officials said lists of affected farmers are being prepared and government assistance is under process. Experts emphasized the need for a dedicated disaster preparedness plan for haor regions and direct procurement systems to ensure fair prices for farmers.

Nineteen banks in Bangladesh received a total of Tk 263,210 crore in deferral facilities from Bangladesh Bank to offset provisioning shortfalls amid rising non-performing loans. According to 2025 financial reports, eleven of these banks reported profits, while eight incurred significant losses. Although the profitable banks showed positive net income, none were able to distribute dividends due to regulatory restrictions. The deferral mechanism allowed banks to present improved financial statements despite underlying capital pressures.

Central bank officials explained that the deferral facility is granted annually to banks with provisioning deficits to help them maintain a stable financial appearance. However, most banks have repeatedly failed to adjust their shortfalls, leading to prolonged dependency on such support. Under new dividend policy rules effective from 2025, banks with non-performing loans exceeding 10 percent are barred from declaring dividends, resulting in 34 banks unable to pay shareholders last year.

Officials noted that without the deferral facility, capital shortfalls would have been more severe, raising costs for international trade financing as foreign banks assess capital adequacy before engaging in transactions.

A senior Iranian official described Tehran’s response to a United States ceasefire proposal as “realistic and positive,” according to comments reported by Al Jazeera on May 11, 2026. Speaking anonymously, the official said Iran’s reply addressed several key issues, including regional stability, the end of conflict in Lebanon, and the resolution of disputes with the US.

The official explained that Iran’s response also expanded the scope of discussions to cover the Strait of Hormuz, the country’s nuclear program, and the lifting of all sanctions. Tehran emphasized the need for a clear and guaranteed mechanism to remove sanctions and demanded specific international assurances for implementing any potential agreement with Washington. The response, the official added, was formulated based on Iran’s national interests and consultations with other regional countries.

Earlier, Iranian state media had characterized the counterproposal as a refusal to yield to “Trump’s greed,” while former US President Donald Trump reportedly rejected the proposal.

A 2025 study by the National Heart Foundation of Bangladesh has revealed that nearly two-thirds of processed packaged foods sold in the country contain salt levels exceeding safe limits. The research, titled “Assessment of Salt Content and Label Compliance of Commonly Consumed Processed Packaged Foods of Bangladesh,” found that about 97 percent of these products pose high health risks. Items such as biscuits, chips, noodles, and instant soups were found to contain excessive sodium, sugar, and harmful chemicals that increase the risk of heart disease, diabetes, and cancer.

Public health experts attribute the growing dependence on such foods to aggressive marketing, especially targeting children with colorful packaging and promotional gifts. They warn that these products are engineered to trigger temporary pleasure in the brain, leading to addiction and reduced interest in nutritious home-cooked meals. Experts have called for the introduction of Front-of-Pack Labeling (FOPL) to clearly display warnings about high salt, sugar, or fat content.

Officials from the Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution and the Global Health Advocacy Incubator have supported stronger labeling laws and public awareness campaigns to curb rising non-communicable diseases linked to unhealthy diets.