US-Iran Escalation: Trump reimposed a naval blockade on Iranian ports and warned of strikes on power plants and bridges next week unless Tehran returns to talks, as CENTCOM launched fresh strikes to degrade Iran’s ability to attack commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz; Iran retaliated with drone and missile attacks reported across Jordan, Bahrain and Kuwait, raising fears of a wider war. Energy & Jobs Pressure: Oil jumped to a one-month high as the Strait’s risk premium climbed, and economist Mohamed El-Erian warned US gas could hit $4 a gallon by end of July, a reminder how quickly Middle East conflict can hit household budgets and hiring. Iraq Investment Push: Trump hosted Iraqi PM Ali al-Zaidi, signaling “massive” new US oil and energy deals and a jobs push as US troops are set to withdraw by Sept. 30. EU Trade Fight: Germany said any EU move to boycott or toughen trade over West Bank settlements needs unanimity, making adoption unlikely. Kurdistan Youth Jobs: Top graduates in Iraq’s Kurdistan Region demanded inclusion in the 2027 federal budget to secure permanent government jobs. Workplace Safety (Turkey): A labor watchdog reported 1,063 worker deaths in Turkey in the first half of 2026, underscoring ongoing employment risk. Skills & Training (Bahrain): Bahrain highlighted World Youth Skills Day with examples from cooking, art and cybersecurity—skills aimed at real job demand.