Iraq Energy Leadership: Iraq has appointed oil industry veteran Bassim Mohammed Khudair as its new Minister of Oil, tasking him with steering the sector through Middle East disruption as exports remain hit by the Strait of Hormuz situation. Shipping & Logistics Shock: With Hormuz still a flashpoint, reports highlight how tanker and cargo flows are being disrupted and increasingly obscured by “dark” transits, adding uncertainty for Gulf-linked supply chains that matter to Iraq’s trade and construction inputs. Textiles Under Pressure: The US-Iran standoff is feeding into higher crude-linked input costs and tighter orders, with Surat’s textile manufacturers reporting margin squeeze and shifting strategies toward digital printing and new markets. Regional Flood Risk: Rising Euphrates waters have displaced about 2,400 families in Syria’s Deir Ez-Zor and Raqqa, with alerts also issued in Iraq—another reminder that water releases and infrastructure damage can quickly spill into cross-border planning for agriculture and services. Reconstruction Watch: Syria is pitching a post-war rebuild to investors, but analysts warn sanctions exposure and weak institutions keep risk high—important for regional contractors and logistics firms that could compete for work. Ceasefire Talks: The US and Iran are reported to be moving toward a 60-day ceasefire extension and renewed nuclear talks, while Trump says the blockade will be lifted—developments that could swing oil and shipping costs fast.