An Israeli soldier was killed on Sunday in a Hezbollah drone attack near the Manara area close to the southern Lebanon border, according to the Israeli military. The incident marks the latest in a series of deadly exchanges between Hezbollah and Israel since fighting intensified in early March, bringing the total number of Israeli soldiers killed to 18.

Following the attack, Israeli media reported that the military launched airstrikes and artillery fire on multiple positions in southern Lebanon. Explosions were also heard in Israel’s northern Galilee region. Hezbollah later stated that its forces targeted Israeli troops inside a house in the southern Lebanese town of Al-Taybeh amid ongoing border clashes.

The renewed violence underscores the persistent volatility along the Israel-Lebanon frontier, with both sides engaging in repeated retaliatory strikes since the escalation began earlier this year.

Since February, the United States has significantly increased intelligence flights near Cuba’s coastline, according to a CNN report citing FlightRadar24 data. The report states that since February 4, the US Navy and Air Force have conducted at least 25 surveillance missions using aircraft and drones, mainly near Havana and Santiago de Cuba, with some flights coming within 40 miles of the coast. Most operations involved P-8A Poseidon patrol aircraft, while RC-135V Rivet Joint planes and MQ-4C Triton drones were also deployed.

Before February, such flights were rare in the region. The report links the surge to a January 29 executive order signed by President Donald Trump authorizing tariffs on imports from countries supplying oil to Cuba. The Cuban government has accused the US of trying to cripple its economy through energy restrictions. The Pentagon declined to comment on the reported flights.

CNN noted that similar patterns of increased surveillance occurred before US military actions in Venezuela and Iran, raising concerns in Havana about possible escalation.

Widespread economic turmoil has gripped Asia due to the ongoing war involving Iran, according to a report published on May 11, 2026. The conflict has triggered severe energy shortages, leading to long fuel queues, frequent power outages, and a surge in remote work across several Asian nations. Governments are struggling to protect their economies from the escalating crisis.

To manage the fuel shortage, some countries have introduced rationing systems, reinstated subsidies, or imposed export bans. Analysts warn that as long as shipping through the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz remains disrupted, Asia’s economic situation will continue to deteriorate. Rising global oil prices have sharply increased import costs, while declining remittance inflows have weakened local currencies.

Many countries are depleting their foreign exchange reserves, borrowing at high interest rates, or cutting budgets in other sectors to stabilize their economies. The region now faces deep uncertainty and mounting financial pressure, with no immediate relief in sight.

Former national security adviser and strategic analyst Mark Feifel stated that Iran and the United States remain in the same positions where their negotiations began, with neither side shifting its stance. According to Feifel, Iran seeks the removal of all sanctions and blockades, along with an end to U.S. and Israeli military operations. In contrast, Donald Trump demands that Iran abandon enriched uranium, halt its ballistic missile program, and stop funding regional allied groups.

Feifel believes it is unlikely that Trump will initiate another major war against Iran, citing the recent declaration by Trump and his secretary of state that “Operation Epic Fury” has ended. Symbolically, this announcement removes the immediate prospect of a large-scale military campaign. Instead, Feifel expects Trump to intensify economic pressure, possibly through naval blockades and limited military actions near the Strait of Hormuz targeting Iranian speedboats, drone launch pads, and missile sites.

He added that Trump might tighten sanctions further or seek to involve European and Asian navies in protecting shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz, though his available strategic options now appear limited.

Saudi Arabia and Turkey have launched a joint initiative to develop the fifth-generation KAAN fighter jet, aiming to strengthen their air forces and reduce reliance on Western suppliers. The partnership seeks to enhance local defense industries and enable Saudi Arabia to build its own aerospace sector. Turkey expects the collaboration to secure funding and credibility for its advanced technologies, potentially altering the current balance of air power in the Middle East. The project is viewed as a challenge to Israel’s air superiority.

Reports of Saudi financial support for the KAAN program and interest in purchasing the aircraft have caused unease in Washington, especially after a 2025 agreement to supply F-35 jets to Riyadh. U.S. officials expressed disappointment over Saudi interest in alternative advanced aircraft. The move reflects a broader regional trend of diversifying defense partnerships as Middle Eastern nations seek suppliers offering technology transfer and fewer restrictions.

Analysts note that the U.S. faces a strategic dilemma as its reliability as a security guarantor is increasingly questioned. A successful Saudi-Turkish partnership could modernize Riyadh’s air fleet and reshape the region’s defense landscape, reducing U.S. dominance in the arms market.

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.