US-Iran Escalation: The US launched an eighth straight night of strikes on Iran after two US troops were killed in a Jordan base attack; CENTCOM says targets included IRGC-linked coastal surveillance, air defenses, maritime capabilities and missile/drone storage, while Iran retaliated by hitting US bases in Kuwait with drones. Gulf Energy Risk: Oil markets jumped as Strait of Hormuz disruption fears returned; reports say shipping is heavily restricted and Kuwait’s power and water infrastructure was hit, with Kuwait Petroleum Corporation citing damage and injuries. Regional Diplomacy: Pakistan and Kuwait urged Washington and Tehran to uphold the Islamabad MoU and avoid further escalation as Gulf states condemned attacks as war crimes. Iraq Energy Moves: Iraq is studying a Basra–Kirkuk–Türkiye (Ceyhan) pipeline with a possible branch to Syria’s Baniyas to diversify exports away from Hormuz, while bp and ConocoPhillips agreed a 42% stake deal for Kirkuk redevelopment. Business & Infrastructure: SGS signed an MoU with Al Jeri Investment to support energy and industrial services in Saudi Arabia, and the EIB approved €17.4bn to boost Europe’s energy security, including projects in Egypt and North Africa. Human Cost: In Nigeria’s north, families link higher petrol prices from the Iran war to worsening child malnutrition.