Oil & Exports Diversification: Lebanon hosted talks with an Iraqi delegation in Beirut to revive the Kirkuk–Tripoli pipeline, aiming to turn Lebanon into a storage and re-export hub for Iraqi crude and refined products as Baghdad looks for routes beyond Hormuz. Kurdistan Output Watch: DNO reported $761m Q2 revenue, but said Kurdistan Region output stayed near 300 boepd after suspensions at Tawke; the firm is working to restore KRI volumes and noted export routes remain unavailable. OPEC Signals: OPEC said July crude output rose about 1.7m bpd, with Iraq posting the biggest monthly gain to around 2.62m bpd, reflecting broader Gulf recovery amid ongoing disruptions. Basra Power & Water Strain: Southern Iraq’s electricity shortages are sparking fears of local clashes, with Dhi Qar residents threatening to cut water to Basra via the Al-Bidaa canal unless power hours improve. Housing Finance: Iraq’s Housing Fund will open electronic loan applications on 23 August for four days, starting with Baghdad and other governorates, with two loan types at IQD 60m. Industry & Trade Links: Syria is pushing higher-value exports—food and medicinal plants among them—targeting Iraq and Jordan through easier land crossings. Security & Logistics Risk: The UNSC said the November 2025 Red Fort attack was officially attributed to AQIS, underscoring ongoing regional threat concerns that can spill into trade and logistics.