US-Iran Escalation and Markets: Wall Street and oil steadied after sharp swings as Trump said the Iran ceasefire was “over,” with new US strikes and Iranian attacks hitting Gulf states; Brent hovered around $77–$79 while investors watched Fed minutes and inflation risk. Shipping and Hormuz Risk: Tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz was reported near standstill, with vessels avoiding public tracking as risk perception spiked. Regional Diplomacy: Qatar’s PM and FM called Turkey’s Hakan Fidan to urge dialogue and respect for the MoU framework; Turkey and Iraq also pushed energy cooperation, including the Iraq-Türkiye crude pipeline. Energy Diversification: France’s FM said Syria could become an alternative oil route as Hormuz disruptions persist. Israel-Palestinian Violence: A fresh opinion piece alleges settler extremists are attacking Palestinians in the West Bank, framing it as a threat to Israel’s democratic institutions. Israel Domestic Policy: A report says Israel bans civil marriage, allowing only religious ceremonies, with critics linking it to segregation. Archaeology Spotlight: A new Huqoq exhibit in Israel premieres rare mosaics and a cache of bronze coins from an ancient Jewish settlement.