标签： Asia

The White House has issued a stark warning to Tehran, suggesting Iran would be “wise” to reach an agreement with the United States amid escalating military posturing and renewed diplomatic efforts. President Donald Trump has repeatedly hinted at potential military action against Iran, with satellite imagery confirming the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier and its air wing positioned approximately 700 kilometers from the Iranian coastline as of February 15th.

The two nations recently resumed indirect negotiations mediated by Oman, marking the first serious diplomatic engagement since previous talks collapsed following Israeli surprise strikes on Iranian nuclear sites last June. That military confrontation escalated into a 12-day war that briefly saw American participation in bombing campaigns against Iranian facilities.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt emphasized the administration’s position, stating, “Iran would be very wise to make a deal with President Trump and with his administration.” Meanwhile, Trump himself suggested on his Truth Social platform that the United States might initiate strikes, with reports indicating military preparations could be finalized as early as this weekend, though no final decision has been confirmed.

According to intelligence sources cited by major news organizations, Trump has received comprehensive military briefings outlining options “designed to maximize damage,” including potential campaigns targeting Iranian political and military leadership with regime change objectives.

Iranian officials have responded with measured defiance. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi confirmed Tehran is “drafting” a framework for future talks, while President Masoud Pezeshkian insisted “We do not want war” but warned Iran would not accept humiliating demands. “If they are going to try to impose their will on us, humiliate us and demand that we bow our heads at any cost, should we accept that?” Pezeshkian questioned.

The diplomatic stalemate continues as both sides demonstrate military capabilities. Washington has deployed a second aircraft carrier to the region, while Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has initiated war games in the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, through which significant global energy supplies transit. Iranian state media has confirmed temporary closures of portions of the waterway during these exercises.

Meanwhile, International Atomic Energy Agency head Rafael Grossi has engaged with Iranian officials regarding Tehran’s nuclear program, which has seen reduced cooperation with UN inspectors following previous attacks on facilities. US Energy Secretary Chris Wright reinforced Washington’s position, vowing to prevent Iranian nuclear weapons acquisition “one way or the other,” citing Tehran’s stated intentions as “entirely unacceptable.”

In his inaugural policy address, Bangladesh’s newly appointed Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has committed to addressing the nation’s pressing economic challenges during the holy month of Ramadan. The 60-year-old political scion, sworn into office on Tuesday, faces the formidable task of stabilizing essential commodity prices while implementing comprehensive governance reforms.

Rahman, son of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia and the late President Ziaur Rahman, assumes leadership following his party’s decisive electoral victory. His administration inherits a complex landscape marked by political turbulence and economic strain, particularly after the 2024 uprising that ousted Sheikh Hasina’s government.

During a nationally televised speech on Wednesday evening, the Prime Minister issued a stern warning against commercial exploitation during Ramadan. He emphasized the spiritual significance of the holy month, stating, ‘This period of self-purification should not exacerbate public hardship. Traders must refrain from treating Ramadan as an opportunity for excessive profit and ensure essential goods remain accessible to all citizens.’

The government’s commitment comes against a backdrop of persistent inflationary pressures. Recent data reveals Bangladesh’s annual inflation reached 8.58% in January 2026—the highest recorded since May 2025—with food prices continuing to burden household economies.

Rahman outlined a multi-faceted approach to economic management, pledging to dismantle market syndicates that manipulate prices while establishing robust mechanisms to protect both consumers and legitimate businesses. His administration will prioritize judicial reforms and anti-corruption measures, asserting that ‘the rule of law, rather than political influence or coercion, will serve as the foundational principle of governance.’

Beyond immediate economic concerns, the Prime Minister revealed ambitious infrastructure modernization plans. These include comprehensive reorganization and expansion of the national railway network, alongside enhanced coordination between transportation ministries to develop an integrated transit system. This initiative aims to alleviate urban congestion while improving nationwide connectivity and commercial efficiency.

Washington witnessed the inaugural gathering of President Donald Trump’s newly established ‘Board of Peace’ on Thursday, an institution conceived with immediate focus on Gaza’s stabilization but designed with far broader geopolitical ambitions. The high-profile assembly brought together approximately two dozen world leaders and senior officials, notably including several of Trump’s authoritarian-leaning allies while conspicuously excluding traditional European democratic partners typically aligned with U.S. initiatives.

The board’s formation follows the Trump administration’s successful mediation of an October ceasefire in Gaza, achieved through collaborative diplomacy with Qatar and Egypt, which halted two years of devastating conflict. According to U.S. officials, the peace plan has now progressed to its second phase, prioritizing the disarmament of Hamas—the Palestinian group whose October 7, 2023 attack on Israel triggered massive military retaliation. Gaza’s Hamas-operated health ministry reports at least 601 casualties since the truce implementation.

Central to Thursday’s deliberations were substantial financial commitments exceeding $5 billion for Gaza’s reconstruction, where extensive infrastructure lies in ruins. President Trump has notably suggested developing resorts in the territory, drawing from his background as a property magnate. The meeting also advanced plans for an International Stabilization Force to ensure security, with Indonesia—the world’s largest Muslim-majority nation—expressing readiness to contribute up to 8,000 troops pending confirmation.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu emphasized the priority of disarming Hamas, specifically targeting AK-47 rifles as ‘the main weapon that has to go.’ Strategic affairs expert Jeremy Issacharoff acknowledged the complexity of disarmament while stressing that a credible pathway would determine the initiative’s viability. Meanwhile, Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem urged the board to compel Israel to cease violations and lift its longstanding siege of Gaza.

The board’s operational framework grants Trump veto power and permanent leadership privileges even after leaving office, with permanent membership requiring a $1 billion contribution. The initiative has drawn criticism from analysts like Bruce Jones of the Brookings Institution, who described it as ‘a confused mix of ambition and narcissism, unleavened by any effort at intellectual coherence.’

The attendance roster reflected Trump’s diplomatic preferences, featuring Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban and Argentina’s President Javier Millei, while traditional U.S. allies including France and Canada were notably absent. Japan remained undecided on membership, and Brazilian President Lula da Silva declined participation, criticizing the board as ‘a new UN where only [Trump] is the owner.’