Strait of Hormuz Deal Watch: The US, Iran and Oman are nearing an interim arrangement to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, with Trump saying the strait could open “very soon” and “we’ll know in 48 hours,” while Iran denies direct talks with Washington and insists discussions with Oman focus on managing traffic and fees. Maritime Trade Stability: Despite war jitters, ship traffic through the Strait of Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb stayed near steady, underscoring how quickly markets react to any change in chokepoint risk. Energy Market Pressure: LNG pricing in Asia edged up as geopolitical risk and extreme heat supported spot demand; Rystad flagged active buying from Bangladesh, India, Thailand and Taiwan. Oil Windfall Politics: Trump renewed attacks on Exxon and Chevron over Iran-war “windfalls,” urging lower retail prices—while major traders like Glencore reported huge energy trading profits tied to the conflict-driven market dislocations. Sanctions & Defense: The US added new sanctions on Russian defense structures and firms under an Iran-linked nonproliferation law, while Germany delivered Israel’s IMS Drakon submarine to boost naval capabilities. Egypt Investment & Business: Egypt retained Africa’s top FDI spot, citing digital reforms and strategic sectors, as investor confidence holds. Tech & Security: US authorities warned of Iran-linked cyber activity targeting water systems; a metro Atlanta utility is still investigating a suspected hacker-caused outage. Football & Economy Spillover: Mohamed Salah arrived in Istanbul to complete a free transfer to Trabzonspor, a reminder that even big-ticket sports deals can move local sponsorship and media attention.