ADNOC has reported 15 vessel attacks in the region as risks to navigation through the Strait of Hormuz continue to mount.

Analysts are actively debating whether Iran is preparing to permanently close the Strait of Hormuz, a move that would have severe consequences for global oil supply.

Despite deepening Middle East disruptions, oil traders are maintaining a broadly bearish posture, suggesting markets are discounting the severity of the threat for now.

Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Turkey have agreed to a formal mutual defense pact, representing a significant new alignment among three major Muslim-majority powers.

Analysts frame the agreement as an attempt to construct a NATO-style collective defense architecture in the Middle East and South Asia, reflecting dissatisfaction with existing security arrangements.

The pact is seen as partly driven by shared concerns over regional instability and a desire by middle powers to hedge against reliance on Western security guarantees.

The US Senate passed legislation granting President Trump a tariff weapon specifically targeting Russia, though there is significant uncertainty about whether he will deploy it.

Experts are warning that correct implementation and enforcement of the Russia sanctions bill will be critical to its effectiveness, cautioning against gaps that Moscow could exploit.

Russia's economy is showing additional signs of strain, with a widening fiscal deficit and a worsening labor shortage as Central Asian migrant workers increasingly stay away.