Strait of Hormuz Diplomacy: Iran’s parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf says the waterway won’t reopen until seven conditions tied to the June “Islamabad Understanding” are met, insisting Tehran will “fight and negotiate” while rejecting nuclear talks for now. US-Iran Tensions: Washington signals a decision on Iran is imminent as it reinforces deployments; Iran’s Araghchi reiterates there’s “no military solution,” only diplomacy and “dignity.” Iraq-US Symbol Row: Iraqi authorities arrest people accused of trampling the US flag during a PMF parade, after PMF-linked factions and anti-US messaging drew fresh scrutiny. Gaza Human Toll: Israeli strikes across Gaza kill multiple Palestinians, including Christian mother and daughter, as ceasefire violations and anniversary closures of crossings intensify grief and fear. Christian Persecution Spotlight: The Serbian Orthodox Church warns of persecution and discrimination facing Palestinian Christians, urging protection of long-standing communities. Saudi Culture Budget Cuts: Saudi Arabia is set to cancel next year’s Joy Awards amid financial pressures and the Iran war’s impact on entertainment spending. Turkey Culture & Arts: Turkey pushes tech upgrades for museums and archaeological sites, while ADOB gears up a new opera and ballet season and Adana Golden Boll names “Bir Arada Yalnız” top film. Arabic Language Education: Sharjah hosts a forum focused on Arabic language and “linguistic security,” while Saudi’s KSGAAL opens its international Arabic language conference. OpenAI Safety Shake-up: OpenAI safety lead David Robinson quits, warning the company’s culture is “broken” and its “trial and error” approach is no longer acceptable.