Strait of Hormuz Tensions: Iran’s parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf warned US oil and gas firms that “strike our assets and you get struck,” after US threats over Iranian tankers, as oil prices climbed to six-week highs on renewed attacks and shipping disruption. Energy Costs & Inflation: Markets tracked higher Brent and WTI amid fears of further Middle East supply shocks, while analysts warned bond yields and borrowing costs could rise as energy-driven inflation pressure feeds through. Fuel Price Pressure in the Region’s Orbit: Pakistan raised petrol and HSD prices for Sept. 8, citing daily pricing volatility tied to US-Iran tensions, while the wider market watched how Hormuz risk keeps pump prices sensitive. Humanitarian Cooperation: Qatar Red Crescent Society signed a strategic partnership with Syria’s Red Crescent and opened a Damascus representation office to scale relief and development work. MENA Payments Deal: Saudi fintech PayTabs agreed to acquire Amazon Payment Services’ MENA operations in a $100m+ deal, aiming to consolidate payment infrastructure across nine markets. Tech & Mobility in Qatar: Snoonu said it’s targeting commercial autonomous delivery robots in Qatar by late 2026/early 2027, with physical AI integration planned over three years.