Iran and the United States have outlined a proposed $300 billion private investment fund aimed at attracting global capital to Iran under a new bilateral agreement. According to a Reuters report citing a source directly involved, more than half of the fund’s capital has already been pledged. The agreement, expected to be signed on Friday in Washington and Tehran, is designed to encourage both sides toward a final and lasting peace settlement following months of conflict.

The fund will be entirely financed by private entities, with no government grants or public money involved. Companies from the United States, Gulf Arab states, Asia, South America, and Africa have reportedly committed to participate. The investment will target energy, logistics, manufacturing, and transport sectors. The initiative emerged after Tehran’s initial $400 billion compensation demand was rejected by Washington, leading to the creation of this reconstruction and development mechanism instead.

The fund will only become operational after the final agreement is signed, followed by a 60-day planning phase. Pakistan has acted as a mediator, while the White House confirmed that Iran must meet conditions including halting its nuclear program and allowing international inspections to access the fund’s benefits.

Iran has gained the ability to effectively close access to the Strait of Hormuz whenever it chooses, according to recent US intelligence assessments cited by CNN. The reports suggest that the ongoing conflict has given Iran’s leadership a powerful new tool to influence the global economy. A memorandum of understanding to reopen the key waterway is expected to be signed on Friday as part of renewed nuclear talks, but intelligence sources warn that Tehran has already demonstrated its capacity to block the strait and could do so again.

Sources familiar with the intelligence review told CNN that Iran’s wartime success in targeting Gulf energy infrastructure has emboldened it to use such asymmetric capabilities in the future. The United States had to engage in close negotiations with Iran to reopen the strait, reflecting Tehran’s strengthened bargaining position. A senior US official said Iran would only benefit from the agreement if it keeps the strait open and complies with its terms.

Other sources cautioned that any future attempt to close the strait could have self-destructive consequences, while discussions continue on whether allied nations could help secure the waterway once reopened.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman was greeted with a shower of flowers by tea workers during his visit to Sylhet on Wednesday morning. He landed at Osmani International Airport at 10:15 a.m., where central and local BNP leaders welcomed him. According to his schedule, there were no formal party programs in Sylhet, and he departed for Srimangal by special bus around 10:30 a.m. Along the route, workers from the Malnichhara tea estate braved the rain to greet him with flowers.

Sylhet District BNP President and City Corporation Administrator Abdul Kaiyum Chowdhury said that local representatives, along with central and local party leaders, were present at the airport to receive the Prime Minister. He urged party members to stand in an orderly manner along the roadside to welcome him. Organizers stated that people from all walks of life were involved in making the visit successful, and preparations were underway for one of the largest public receptions in the greater Sylhet region.

The European Parliament is scheduled to give final approval on Wednesday to a stricter migration law that will expand authorities’ powers to detain and deport irregular migrants. The legislation also allows the establishment of deportation centers outside the European Union. The vote in Strasbourg marks one of the final steps in a lengthy legislative process aimed at tightening migration control amid rising political pressure across member states.

EU Commissioner for Migration Magnus Brunner said the law clarifies that the EU, not smugglers, will decide who can stay or must leave. The law has faced criticism from human rights groups for provisions enabling the creation of ‘return hubs’ outside the EU, where people without legal residence rights could be sent. Several countries, including Denmark, Austria, Greece, Germany, and the Netherlands, have shown interest in hosting such centers, while France and Spain have opposed the plan.

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis stated that the first agreements for these centers are expected by 2026, with operations starting in 2027. The EU’s focus has shifted toward improving repatriation systems, as only about 30 percent of those ordered to leave have returned home.

A Foreign Policy article cited by Middle East Eye reports that Paul Musgrave, an associate professor of political science at Georgetown University in Qatar, described the United States' war against Iran as a more serious strategic shock than the Vietnam War. He argued that the conflict has damaged core American interests and weakened Washington’s global standing.

Musgrave characterized the war as a 'war of choice' initiated by former US President Donald Trump, which ultimately ended in both political and military disaster. The article suggested that the consequences of this conflict could prove even more severe than those of Vietnam.

According to the report, the war’s aftermath may have long-lasting domestic and international effects, shaping perceptions of American power and leadership for years to come.

Bangladesh’s finance minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury presented a new amendment to the Income Tax Act in parliament on June 11, 2026. The proposal states that if a company fails to pay loan interest within three years, the unpaid amount will be treated as business income and taxed accordingly. The measure aims to prevent companies from repeatedly claiming unpaid interest as expenses to reduce taxable profits.

According to the amendment, if the unpaid interest is later settled after the three-year period, it will then be considered an allowable expense for that year. The change aligns the tax law with international accounting standards under the International Financial Reporting System (IFRS), which follows the accrual basis of accounting. Previously, the National Board of Revenue (NBR) applied a cost basis, recognizing expenses only when payments were made.

Officials explained that the amendment resolves inconsistencies between accounting and tax reporting practices, ensuring that companies cannot indefinitely defer tax liabilities by delaying interest payments.

Bangladesh’s apparel exports to the European Union, the country’s largest export destination, dropped sharply in the first quarter of 2026. According to Eurostat data, export earnings from January to March fell by 19.26 percent year-on-year to 4.59 billion euros, down from 5.68 billion euros in the same period of 2025. In March alone, exports declined by 19.24 percent to 1.7 billion euros, a loss of about 410 million euros compared to the previous year.

The decline was driven by both reduced export volume and lower average prices. During the three months, Bangladesh’s export volume fell by 8.32 percent, while the average price per kilogram dropped by 11.93 percent. The EU’s total apparel imports from all countries also decreased by 11.62 percent in value and 8.32 percent in quantity during the same period.

Industry stakeholders warned that since nearly half of Bangladesh’s total export earnings come from the EU, a prolonged downturn in this market could negatively affect the broader economy. They also noted that global trade shifts and stronger competition from China, India, Vietnam, and other exporters have intensified challenges in the European market.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian stated that his country will not tolerate any insult, emphasizing Iran’s resolve to defend its dignity under external pressure. In a post on social media platform X, he said Tehran has learned from Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei to uphold national honor despite foreign challenges.

Pezeshkian noted that although diplomatic efforts continue following recent conflicts with the United States and Israel, Iran remains prepared for all possible scenarios. He mentioned that a memorandum of understanding with Washington is expected to be signed in Switzerland on Friday, describing it as an important step toward halting hostilities and initiating dialogue. However, he clarified that no final agreement has yet been reached.

Earlier, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said that once the memorandum is formally signed, broader negotiations would begin to reach a comprehensive agreement.

Bangladesh’s banking sector expanded loan rescheduling sharply in 2025 to reduce reported defaults. According to the Bangladesh Bank’s Financial Stability Report 2025, banks rescheduled Tk 984.33 billion in default loans last year, bringing total rescheduled loans to Tk 4.46 trillion by year-end. This marked a significant rise from Tk 3.48 trillion in 2024, with 57 percent of rescheduled loans concentrated in the top ten banks.

The report shows that rescheduling has accelerated since 2022, when banks were given full authority to renew defaulted loans. Policy changes allowed borrowers to reschedule by depositing as little as 2 to 4.5 percent of outstanding amounts, with up to ten-year terms and two-year grace periods. Of 1,516 applications under special policy support, 250 loans worth Tk 261.14 billion were implemented. However, 39.87 percent of rescheduled loans have again defaulted.

The IMF classifies rescheduled loans as “stressed,” and combined with defaults and written-off loans, Bangladesh’s distressed credit reached Tk 10.87 trillion by December 2025, or 30.6 percent of total lending. The industrial sector accounted for the largest share of rescheduled loans at 29.56 percent.

A commentary published on June 17, 2026, examines the long history of media control in Bangladesh, linking it to authoritarian political traditions. It recalls the June 16, 1975 closure of most newspapers under the then Awami League government and argues that similar tendencies resurfaced during Sheikh Hasina’s long tenure through laws, licensing pressure, and censorship. The article claims that such control turned many outlets into echoes of power rather than voices of the people.

The analysis connects this legacy to the July 2024 student-led uprising, describing it as not only a political revolt but also a rejection of decades of information control. It says mainstream media failed to reflect public grievances over inequality, corruption, and disenfranchisement, while citizen journalism on social media broke through censorship. International outlets reportedly exposed state violence when domestic media remained silent.

The writer calls for structural reform to ensure editorial independence, abolish restrictive laws, and end corporate and political ownership influence. He concludes that the future of democracy and journalism in Bangladesh depends on restoring truth and public trust in the media.

The U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has thwarted a planned attack on the White House during a mixed martial arts event attended by President Donald Trump. Five individuals have been arrested and charged with conspiracy to commit murder. If convicted, each faces a maximum life sentence and fines up to $250,000. One suspect, Tyson Proper, faces an additional charge of conspiring to commit violence on White House grounds. The initial court hearing is scheduled for June 29.

According to prosecutors, the suspects allegedly planned to use explosive-laden drones to strike nearby buildings before opening fire on key figures. Their objective was to drive panicked crowds toward sniper teams, followed by a second wave of attackers targeting the White House gate. Court documents list potential targets including President Trump, Vice President JD Vance, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and entrepreneur Elon Musk, though not all were present at the event.

FBI Director Kash Patel stated on social media that coordinated raids across multiple states led to the arrests and the complete disruption of the planned attack.

Turkey and Bangladesh are entering a new phase of bilateral relations marked by expanding trade, defense cooperation, and cultural engagement. Following Bangladesh’s support for Turkey’s democratic government after the 2016 coup attempt and Turkey’s humanitarian role during the Rohingya crisis, ties between the two nations have strengthened significantly. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan’s two-day visit to Dhaka on June 5, 2026, was described as a milestone toward raising bilateral trade from USD 1.3 billion to USD 2 billion. Bangladesh proposed Turkish investment in special economic zones and emphasized partnership based on equality.

Bangladesh exports jute, garments, leather, and ceramics to Turkey, while importing cotton, petroleum, machinery, and steel. Discussions during the visit included potential free trade and preferential trade agreements. Defense cooperation has also expanded, with Bangladesh purchasing Turkish drones and rocket systems under its Forces Goal 2030 modernization plan. Culturally, Turkish television dramas, fashion, and cuisine are gaining popularity in Bangladesh, strengthening people-to-people connections.

The article suggests that establishing a Yunus Emre Cultural Center in Bangladesh could institutionalize cultural ties, further consolidating the growing partnership between the two nations.

A column published on June 17, 2026, in the Bangladeshi daily Amar Desh argues that allegations of large-scale illegal migration from Bangladesh to India are baseless and politically driven. The writer, Abul Asad, cites historical statements, Indian census data, and official records to claim that the narrative of millions of Bangladeshi infiltrators has been exaggerated by Indian right-wing groups, including the Sangh Parivar and its affiliates such as the BJP and Bajrang Dal. He asserts that these groups use the infiltration narrative to disenfranchise Bengali-speaking Indian Muslims and to create tension between the two countries.

The article references past Indian government data showing limited cross-border movement and repatriation of small numbers of people, contrasting this with inflated figures circulated in Indian political discourse. It also cites demographic studies indicating no abnormal population growth in border districts of West Bengal, arguing that economic and educational factors, not religion, explain population trends.

The writer concludes that the infiltration theory is a continuation of long-standing efforts by Indian extremists to destabilize Bangladesh and that such attempts have repeatedly failed due to the unity and resilience of the Bangladeshi people.

Human Rights Watch (HRW) has expressed deep concern over allegations that Indian authorities forcibly pushed back around 5,000 ethnic Bengali Muslims to Bangladesh without any legal process. The organization claimed that these actions took place after Suvendu came to power in West Bengal, with many affected individuals reportedly holding valid Indian identification documents but still being labeled as illegal immigrants.

According to HRW’s report, India’s Border Security Force (BSF) attempted multiple pushbacks along the Bangladesh border since June 1, 2026. One incident at the Panchagarh border reportedly resulted in a 75-hour standoff, leaving several families stranded in dire conditions at the zero line. Officials have acknowledged that a post-election policy was implemented in West Bengal to identify and deport alleged illegal immigrants, leading to detentions and forced removals.

HRW further alleged that many people were removed from voter lists and denied opportunities for legal recourse. The organization urged both India and Bangladesh to halt forced deportations and pushbacks, emphasizing adherence to human rights and international law.

The Bangladesh government has initiated efforts to locate 57 fugitive police officers following the arrest of former Inspector General of Police Benazir Ahmed in Dubai. According to police headquarters, these officers fled after August 5, 2024, and were allegedly involved in various crimes during the July uprising. Authorities are preparing to seek Interpol’s assistance to identify their locations. The fugitives include several former senior officials such as ex-DMP Commissioner Habibur Rahman, former SB chief Monirul Islam, and former DB head Harun-or-Rashid.

Police sources said most of the fugitives are believed to be in India, while some have moved to Europe or remain in hiding within Bangladesh. Their salaries have already been suspended. The government has also obtained permission from the Home Ministry to arrest 26 of the officers. Two former IGPs, Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun and A.K.M. Shahidul Haque, are currently imprisoned, while seven other officers have been arrested in connection with the uprising.

An unnamed additional IGP told Amader Desh that bringing the fugitives back for trial depends on government directives.