Strait of Hormuz Shockwaves: Trump says the US has “taken out about nine” Iranian tankers and warns “a lot more” are coming, as CENTCOM reports multiple strikes on crude carriers and Iran retaliates near the Strait—pushing oil and diesel higher and raising fresh fears for global shipping. Sanctions & Aviation Pressure: Washington expands “Operation Economic Outcast” with new sanctions targeting Iranian airlines and foreign firms accused of keeping them connected to the global economy. 9/11 Politics Meets Iran War: On the 25th anniversary, Trump and US officials frame the Iran conflict as a continuation of the “war on terror,” while renewed Islamophobia concerns resurface in US communities. Settlement Trade Ban Escalates: The UK, with France and other countries, moves to ban trade tied to Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, targeting companies and services linked to settlement expansion. Diplomacy for Hormuz: Iran says it will meet Gulf states in Oman to discuss Hormuz, as talks aim to manage shipping amid the blockade and attacks. Heritage in Iraq: UNESCO and the EU-backed restoration turns poet Badr Shakir Al Sayyab’s childhood home in Basra into a cultural centre, preserving a disappearing past. Culture & Craft: Qatar’s S’hail 2026 spotlights luxury craftsmanship and art tied to hunting and falcon heritage, blending tradition with contemporary design.