Strait of Hormuz fallout: An OilPrice.com report says Iran is moving toward “de facto control” of Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb, pushing the US and Gulf states to plan alternative export routes, including a proposed $5bn refinery/export hub outside Hormuz and an overland pipeline via Saudi Arabia and Israel to Mediterranean ports. Energy corridor revival: Lebanon and Iraq are discussing restarting the Kirkuk–Tripoli pipeline as Lebanon prepares to act as a storage and re-export hub for Iraqi crude and refined products, with upgrades at borders, roads and safety standards. Fuel price pressure: South Africa is warning of steep September fuel hikes, with diesel under-recovery pressures pointing to wholesale increases and pump prices potentially rising sharply amid Middle East route instability. Retail and consumer squeeze: Filipino shoppers are cutting back and diversifying as war-linked fuel and commodity costs bite, with a Worldpanel survey showing worsening household outlook since the Middle East crisis began. Aviation hit: IATA estimates Middle East airlines’ profits could swing from a $7.2bn gain in 2025 to a $4.3bn loss in 2026 as Iran-war disruption keeps capacity constrained. LPG access rules: India’s LPG e-KYC deadline is Aug. 16; missing it may block domestic-rate cylinder access until verification is completed. Tobacco crackdown: Kuwait has introduced tighter rules on tobacco and nicotine products, including bans on unregistered and child-targeted items and restrictions covering e-cigarettes and heated tobacco. Egypt-Libya trade push: Egypt’s Federation of Egyptian Industries and Libya’s chambers signed a protocol for an annual Egyptian-Libyan industrial integration exhibition in Benghazi, targeting April 2027. Israel consumer economy bounce: Israel’s Q2 GDP grew 15.4% after a contraction tied to the Iran war, with private consumption and exports rebounding.