Iran-Hormuz Tensions: Iran’s state TV challenged US claims that oil is “normally” transiting the southern Strait of Hormuz, saying the reality is different and warning of a psychological campaign; Iran also said any Oman corridor deal won’t take effect until Washington fulfills its commitments. Baghdad Anti-Corruption Push: Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi ordered the Federal Integrity Commission to activate whistleblower rewards, tighten border monitoring, and publicly expose corrupt officials, while the Central Bank told banks to scrutinize senior figures’ wealth and suspicious transactions. US-Iraq Security Deadline: Iraq said it remains committed to the Sept. 30 end of coalition military presence, even as reports say the US may scale down and shift to a bilateral framework; in Kurdistan, officials denied a “final decision” on cutting Peshmerga aid. Armed Factions vs Disarmament: Kataib Sayyid al-Shuhada and Kataib Hezbollah-linked figures set conditions tied to full US withdrawal and state control over weapons, keeping pressure on Baghdad’s disarmament timetable. Oil & Infrastructure: Iraq moved ahead with plans for a Basra–Haditha–Fishkhabur pipeline (and a Haditha–Baniyas link) to boost exports, while Iraq also pursued routes beyond Hormuz. Local Security & Economy: Security forces arrested a multi-charge fugitive in Basra; Nineveh set a Sept. 1 deadline to fix fuel shortages in Mosul; and Baghdad again reported a toxic sulfur odor spreading across neighborhoods.