Iran Deal Fallout & Gulf Diplomacy: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio wrapped up a Gulf tour in Bahrain, telling allies any Iran agreement must protect their security and prosperity, as Iran-linked fears and Hormuz concerns remain front and center. Ceasefire Friction in Lebanon: An Israeli drone strike near Kfar Rumman killed civilians, with Hezbollah calling it a truce violation, underscoring how fragile de-escalation still is. Oil, Markets & Cost Pressure: Brent slid below $72 as Hormuz traffic improved, easing pressure on Gulf stocks while raising fresh debate over how long the relief lasts. Infrastructure Shift: Siemens says the Middle East is accelerating infrastructure transition toward autonomous, resilient and sustainable grids, with executives pushing faster clean-energy change. UAE Cyber Push: The UAE Cybersecurity Council, with AWS and CrowdStrike, completed a government-backed accelerator that selected 23 startups to help build a pipeline of 500+ cybersecurity firms. Regional Governance & Security Cooperation: The League of Arab States and UNODC met in Cairo to coordinate responses to drugs, organized crime and financial crimes across Arab states. Local Economy Watch: S&P cut the Philippines’ 2026 growth forecast sharply, citing Middle East-driven energy shocks and stalled infrastructure spending. Business & Mobility: Jetstar axed two Australia–New Zealand routes over weak demand and rising costs, while Dubai’s DFSA reported 16% growth in regulated entities in 2025.