Sheikh Hasina’s unspoken accusations: Undelivered speech criticised US for alleged plot
New Delhi: Sheikh Hasina, the former Prime Minister of Bangladesh, had prepared a speech accusing the United States of attempting a regime change in Bangladesh. However, she was unable to deliver it due to protests reaching her residence, which led to security officers advising her to leave the country immediately. The speech, now disclosed in India, reveals Hasina's claims about the US plotting against her government and her assertion that surrendering sovereignty over Saint Martin Island could have maintained her power.
In the undelivered speech, Hasina expressed her resignation as a reluctant decision to prevent further loss of life and claimed that her removal from power was a result of a larger conspiracy. She also addressed her party, the Awami League, urging them to remain hopeful and promising a return. Hasina refuted claims that she called protesting students "Razakars," stating that her words were misinterpreted.
Following her resignation and escape, the US said, "The United States has long called for respecting democratic rights in Bangladesh, and we urge that the interim government formation be democratic and inclusive." Washington DC also said that the US greatly values its relationship with the people of Bangladesh.
Earlier, US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller had condemned the violence against protesters. "We condemn any violence against peaceful protesters. We've been watching this matter very closely, both from our embassy and officials here in Washington. (We) have been monitoring the protests, have seen the reports of people dying, being killed in the protests. And we again, call on the government to uphold individual's rights to protest peacefully," he had said.
Hasina's departure came amid violent student protests, which began over reservation issues and escalated into widespread unrest. The interim government, led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, now faces the challenge of managing ongoing tensions and protecting minority communities.
"There are many standing by to make your efforts futile. Don't fail this time," Muhammad Yunus said, urging them to protect Hindu, Christian, and Buddhist families from harm. "Are they not the people of this country? You have been able to save the country; can't you save some families?...You must say - no one can harm them. They are my brothers; we fought together, and we will stay together," he has said.
In a major development, Bangladesh's Chief Justice Obaidul Hassan and five other top judges on Saturday were forced to resign amid massive student protests demanding a revamp of the judiciary.
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Trump pauses Project Freedom, claims great progress for final agreement with Iran
Washington (PTI): President Donald Trump has suspended “Project Freedom,” to escort ships through the Strait of Hormuz, claiming progress in negotiations with Iran toward an agreement to end the war.
In a post on Truth Social on Tuesday, Trump said, “Great progress has been made toward a complete and final agreement with representatives of Iran.”
“Based on the request of Pakistan and other Countries, the tremendous Military Success that we have had during the Campaign against the Country of Iran and, additionally, the fact that Great Progress has been made toward a Complete and Final Agreement with Representatives of Iran, we have mutually agreed that, while the Blockade will remain in full force and effect, Project Freedom (The Movement of Ships through the Strait of Hormuz) will be paused for a short period of time to see whether or not the Agreement can be finalized and signed," Trump said.
Project Freedom was launched on Monday to escort ships, stranded due to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, out to safety. Trump had announced the operation on Sunday and the US Central Command began implementing it the next day.
However, the Project led to friction in the vicinity of the narrow seaway, a key route for transporting one-fifth of the global oil supplies, with the UAE claiming that its ships were attacked by Iran. The US also claimed to have destroyed several Iranian small boats.
Trump’s statement on Truth Social came hours after US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that Operation Epic Fury, launched on February 28, had concluded as its objectives have been achieved.
"Operation Epic Fury is concluded. We achieved the objectives of that operation. We're not cheering for an additional situation to occur. We would prefer the path of peace. What @POTUS would prefer is a deal... that is, so far, not the route that Iran has chosen," Rubio told a press conference at the White House on Tuesday.
On Project Freedom, Rubio said the goal was to rescue almost 23,000 civilians from 87 different countries who were trapped inside the Persian Gulf and left for dead by the Iranian regime.
"This is not an offensive operation. This is a defensive operation, and what that means is very simple: there’s no shooting unless we're shot at first. We’re not attacking them, but if they're attacking us or they’re attacking a ship, you need to respond to that," Rubio said.
