Strait of Hormuz & Red Sea Routing: Iran and the U.S. traded fresh claims over control of the Strait of Hormuz, with Tehran’s maritime authority insisting the strait “remains blocked” until its conditions are met, while Washington says it has “total control.” Shipping traffic has reportedly fallen to a one-week low, and container lines are adjusting routes and pricing as insurance and disruption costs rise. Saudi Oil Diversion: Saudi Arabia is ramping up crude exports via Egypt’s Mediterranean Sidi Kerir and the SUMED pipeline to bypass Bab el-Mandeb amid Houthi threats, with August flows reportedly more than doubling versus July. Red Sea Security Alliance: Saudi Arabia is backing a wider maritime defense push, including a 14-state coalition to protect navigation across the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. Defense Pacts: Türkiye, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan outlined how their Mecca Joint Defence Agreement will work in practice, including ministerial mechanisms, joint drills, and deeper defense-industry cooperation. Aviation/Logistics Spotlight: Emirates SkyCargo completed transport of the UAE’s Altair-1 AI satellite from Dubai to Los Angeles ahead of launch. Maritime/Carrier Pressure: A U.S. senator demanded answers over conditions aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln after an extended deployment, raising crew welfare and readiness concerns. Air Security & Mobility: Reports say Trump was moved off Air Force One in Turkey via a catering-truck decoy operation tied to an Iranian threat, while U.S. intelligence officials questioned the underlying Israeli warning. Trade Impact: India’s goods trade deficit widened to a six-month high as Middle East conflict pressures lifted freight and oil import costs.