US-Iran Escalation: The US launched fresh airstrikes on Iran to “swiftly punish” the IRGC after two American troops were killed in Jordan, with CENTCOM saying the targets were meant to further degrade Iran’s ability to disrupt tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. Kurdistan Under Pressure: In Iraq, a drone attack hit a Kurdistan Freedom Party base near Erbil, wounding eight, as Iran-linked attacks on Kurdish opposition groups intensify amid the wider regional fight. Iraq’s Diplomatic Pivot: Iraqi PM Ali al-Zaidi wrapped up a five-day US visit and then arrived in Doha to offer condolences to Qatar’s Emir, while Baghdad pushes a shift toward economic partnership with Washington. Energy Routes Beyond Hormuz: Iraq is studying new pipeline options to reduce Hormuz dependence, including a Basra–Kirkuk–Ceyhan route with possible extension to Syria’s Baniyas, and Iraq and Syria signed MoUs to revive the Haditha–Banias pipeline. Oil Exports and Finance: US data showed no Iraqi crude imports for a third straight week, while Iraqi banks moved toward renewed correspondent access after a CBI–US Treasury agreement. Security at Home: Iraqi forces laid out plans for Arbaeen pilgrimage security in Najaf and across routes, with coordination continuing under existing arrangements. Anti-ISIS Actions: Security forces arrested two suspected ISIS members in Kirkuk and destroyed an ISIS-linked vehicle in Al-Anbar. Iraq-Turkey Pipeline: Turkey and Iraq are expected to sign a 12-month extension for the Iraq-Turkey crude pipeline transit deal to keep exports flowing via Ceyhan.