Strait of Hormuz Diplomacy: Iran’s FM Abbas Araghchi arrived in Oman for talks on safe ship transit as a fragile US-Iran ceasefire hangs in the balance, with Washington pressing Tehran for a public commitment after recent attacks on commercial vessels. Pakistan-IMF: Pakistan is set to receive an additional $3.6bn from the IMF over 14 months under the EFF and RSF, with releases tied to fiscal discipline, tax reforms, energy-sector changes and a September review. US-Iran Mediation in the Gulf: US and Iranian negotiators are expected to keep talking in Oman, while reports say Iran privately acknowledged a “mistake” over Strait attacks—raising the stakes for what it must say publicly. Gulf Financial Rift: Saudi banks have reportedly blocked or delayed payments to UAE accounts since May, a sign of deepening Saudi-UAE tensions that could disrupt cross-border business. EU Pressure on Pakistan: The European Parliament urged Pakistan to create a mechanism to protect minority children after forced conversion and abduction cases, warning it could affect EU GSP+ trade benefits. Cybersecurity Push: Pakistan’s National CERT finalised a cybersecurity framework for government systems, including audits, continuous monitoring and moving foreign-hosted sites to local data centres. Gold Jumps in Pakistan: Gold and silver prices rose again in Pakistan, with tola gold up to Rs433,536 amid higher global bullion prices. Afghan Extraditions: A former Afghan general was extradited to the US to face drug charges, as US-bound narcotics cases continue to move through regional courts.