Iran-US Economic Pressure: Iran warned its response to new US threats will be “devastating” after Washington pledged the toughest financial penalties in history, with officials framing the campaign as “economic terrorism” and “cognitive warfare.” Sanctions & Energy Fallout: The renewed pressure is already hitting trade flows, with Iranian oil offers to China falling as the US blockade tightens, while oil prices stay supported by Middle East supply fears. Iraq’s Energy Dependence: US pressure is forcing Iraq to cut reliance on Iranian gas for power generation, where imports have supported a large share of electricity output and payments have been managed via restricted channels. Iraq Unemployment Policy: Iraq’s unemployment can’t be solved by state hiring alone; experts urge paid training linked to jobs, temporary wage support, and low-interest loans to grow small businesses and reduce oil dependence. Egypt Renewables Push: Scatec’s Obelisk solar-plus-storage project in Egypt reached full commercial operation, and the company is reportedly preparing up to $5bn more investment in Egypt across renewables, batteries, desalination and green data centres. Data Centre Investment Boom: JLL expects a major data-centre supercycle, projecting up to $3tn in investment through 2030 as power and construction constraints shape where capacity gets built. Crypto & Prediction Markets: A report flags Polymarket wallets allegedly using non-public info on US military operations, raising concerns about how prediction markets could leak sensitive signals. West Bank Settlement Condemnations: Multiple European governments condemned Israel’s E1 settlement tenders, warning they could permanently undermine a two-state solution and territorial contiguity. Hezbollah Designation: The US re-designated Hezbollah as an Iranian proxy and sanctioned a funding network tied to Iran’s IRGC-Quds Force. Iraq Oil Route Diversification: Iraq is expanding exports via Türkiye’s Ceyhan port and also pushing routes through Syria’s Baniyas and Jordan’s Aqaba as Hormuz disruptions strain output and shipments.