International
Myanmar Convenes First Parliament in Five Years Under Military Dominance
Myanmar on Monday opened its first parliamentary session in more than five years following elections widely criticised for excluding major opposition parties, effectively consolidating the military’s grip on power.
The parliament’s reconvening comes after the military seized control of the country in the 2021 Myanmar coup d’état, overthrowing the elected government led by Aung San Suu Kyi and suspending the legislature.
The new session took place in the capital, Naypyitaw, where lawmakers gathered at the heavily guarded parliamentary complex for the opening of the 373-seat lower house.
Security was tight around the complex, with roads sealed and vehicles searched for explosives before being allowed entry.
The parliament was convened following elections held in December and January, which the military government described as a step toward restoring democratic governance. However, critics say the process lacked credibility as major opposition groups, including the National League for Democracy, were either barred from contesting or refused to participate under what they described as unfair electoral conditions.
According to official results, the military-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party secured an overwhelming majority of seats.
During Monday’s session, Khin Yi, a former general and police chief, was elected speaker of the lower house. He is widely regarded as a close ally of the country’s military leader, Min Aung Hlaing.
Another former general and ex-information minister, Maung Maung Ohn, was elected deputy speaker.
Under Myanmar’s military-drafted constitution, the armed forces are automatically allocated 25 per cent of the seats in parliament. In the latest vote, the USDP and allied parties also captured the majority of the remaining contested seats, giving pro-military lawmakers nearly 90 per cent of the total representation.
The 213-seat upper house is scheduled to convene on Wednesday, while regional legislatures are expected to open two days later.
Parliament’s immediate responsibilities include electing speakers for both chambers and subsequently choosing a president and two vice presidents.
Observers expect Min Aung Hlaing, who currently heads the military government, to emerge as president. However, the constitution prohibits a sitting president from simultaneously serving as the army’s commander-in-chief, raising questions about whether he would relinquish that position.
The political developments come amid ongoing instability following the 2021 coup, which sparked widespread protests and plunged the country into a prolonged civil conflict.
Meanwhile, an opposition shadow legislature formed by lawmakers who were prevented from taking office after the coup also held an online session on Monday, maintaining that it remains the country’s only legitimate parliament.
Suu Kyi, now 80, is currently serving a 27-year prison sentence on charges widely viewed by critics as politically motivated. Her party had won landslide victories in the 2015 and 2020 elections before it was forced to dissolve in 2023 after refusing to register under new military electoral rules.
French President Emmanuel Macron has firmly stated that France will not participate in any military operations aimed at reopening or securing the Strait of Hormuz, contradicting earlier remarks by U.S. President Donald Trump suggesting Paris was open to involvement.
Speaking amid rising tensions in the Middle East, Macron emphasized that France’s position remains unchanged, stressing a preference for diplomatic de-escalation rather than military intervention in the strategically critical waterway.
The Strait of Hormuz, a vital oil transit route through which a significant portion of the world’s oil supply passes, has become a focal point of global concern following escalating hostilities involving Iran and Western allies.
Trump had earlier indicated that key allies, including France, were prepared to support efforts to ensure free navigation through the strait. However, Macron’s latest comments appear to directly counter that claim, highlighting divisions among Western partners over how to respond to the crisis.
French officials reiterated that while Paris supports freedom of navigation, it will not engage in offensive or escort missions that could further inflame tensions in the region. Instead, France is advocating for international dialogue and a coordinated diplomatic approach.
The disagreement underscores broader hesitation among the U.S. allies about deeper military involvement in the Gulf, as fears grow over the potential for a wider regional conflict.
Iranian authorities have arrested ten foreign individuals in the country’s northeast on allegations of espionage, according to a report by the semi-official Tasnim News Agency.
The arrests were carried out by the intelligence arm of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), which accused the suspects of gathering information on sensitive locations and preparing for potential field operations.
Details surrounding the identities and nationalities of the detainees have not been disclosed, and Iranian officials have yet to provide further clarification on the scope of the alleged activities.
The development comes amid heightened tensions in the region, as Iran continues to face ongoing military pressure and intelligence threats linked to its conflict with the United States and Israel.
Security agencies have intensified internal crackdowns in recent weeks, with hundreds of individuals reportedly detained across the country on suspicion of collaborating with foreign entities.
Analysts say the arrests reflect growing concerns within Iran over infiltration and intelligence leaks, especially as recent strikes have reportedly relied on detailed information about strategic sites.
Authorities have accused foreign actors of attempting to destabilize the country from within, though such claims are often difficult to verify independently.
Human rights groups have previously raised concerns about Iran’s use of espionage charges, arguing that such arrests can sometimes be politically motivated. Iranian officials, however, insist the measures are necessary to safeguard national security during a period of heightened conflict.
The situation remains fluid, with more details expected as investigations continue.
International
Iran Launches Fresh Strikes on UAE as Trump Faces Questions Over Prior Intelligence Warnings
Iran has carried out a fresh wave of attacks targeting the United Arab Emirates, escalating tensions in the Gulf and widening the scope of its retaliation against the U.S. allies in the region.
The latest strikes, which reportedly involved drones and missiles, hit strategic locations, including infrastructure facilities, marking a continuation of Iran’s response to earlier U.S. and Israeli military actions. Authorities in the UAE confirmed multiple incidents in recent days, including attacks on fuel storage and government-linked sites, though damage and casualties remain limited in some cases.
The escalation comes amid growing scrutiny of U.S. President Donald Trump, who had publicly expressed surprise at Iran’s decision to target Gulf nations. However, multiple intelligence sources and officials have indicated that the possibility of such retaliatory strikes had been communicated in advance.
According to reports, U.S. intelligence assessments warned that Iran could expand its response beyond American and Israeli targets to include regional allies such as the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and other Gulf states.
Despite these warnings, Trump maintained that the scale and direction of Iran’s retaliation were unexpected, a position that has sparked criticism from political observers and raised questions about the administration’s handling of pre-war intelligence.
Iran, for its part, has defended its actions, framing the strikes as a response to what it describes as aggression supported by Gulf states. Iranian officials have also accused some regional governments of quietly backin the U.S. operations, further intensifying geopolitical tensions.
The attacks have heightened fears of a broader regional conflict, with Gulf countries increasingly exposed to the fallout of the war. Analysts warn that continued strikes on key infrastructure; including airports and oil facilities, could disrupt global energy markets and deepen instability across the Middle East.
As the situation unfolds, international calls for de-escalation are growing, but there is little indication that either side is ready to back down.