Maritime Escalation: Iran’s IRGC expanded a “prohibited” exclusion zone around the Strait of Hormuz, warning vessels entering without coordination could be denied insurance and other services, with the area extending toward the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea. Tanker War Intensifies: The US said it destroyed five Iranian crude carriers after Iran-linked attacks on a US warship, while Iran’s IRGC claimed it hit US vessels and oil tankers and launched missile strikes tied to the same tit-for-tat cycle. Jordan Under Fire: Iran fired ballistic missiles at Jordan’s al-Azraq airbase; Jordan said it intercepted 18 of 20, with no casualties reported, as the US said its personnel were accounted for. Oil Prices Spike: Brent surged back above $100 a barrel as shipping risks and Hormuz disruption fears returned, feeding inflation worries and weighing on global markets. Israel-UK Diplomatic Fallout: Israel ordered the British consulate in occupied East Jerusalem to close within 30 days, escalating a dispute after the UK moved to ban trade in goods from Israeli settlements. Arab League Backs UK Move: The Arab League welcomed the UK settlement trade ban, calling it a step toward accountability and protection for Palestinians. Nuclear Program Watch: Analysts cited increased construction at a deeply buried Iranian nuclear site near Natanz, raising concerns about hard-to-reach capabilities. Iraq’s Disarmament Dilemma: An explainer highlighted why Iraq struggles to rein in Iran-backed militia allies, complicating Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi’s disarmament push.