GCC-US Diplomacy: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio wrapped up a Gulf tour in Bahrain, telling GCC leaders Washington will factor in their security concerns in any Iran framework and keep them informed at every step. Strait of Hormuz: GCC and the US jointly backed reopening the Strait of Hormuz with “free, unconditional, and unrestricted navigation,” rejecting any tolls, fees or attempts to control the waterway, while Oman and the IMO announced an evacuation plan for 11,000 stranded seafarers. Shipping Risk: Despite easing tensions, an attack on a cargo ship near Oman and a UN pause on evacuation plans underscored how fragile safe passage remains. Oil Market Impact: With transits picking up, Brent slipped toward the low-$70s, but the ship strike clouded outlooks; meanwhile, India’s crude imports saw Russia’s share hit a record 52.5% in June as Gulf supply fell. Kuwait Finance & Business: Kuwait’s Finance Ministry won “Deal of the Year” for a sovereign bond issuance; NBK warned customers against using public Wi-Fi for banking; Gulf Bank set June 30 as the deadline to enter its KD 200,000 AlDanah draw; and KIPCO was listed on Forbes Global 2000. Local Security: Kuwait’s appeals court upheld sedition and Hezbollah-related sentences in multiple cases, while a Khaitan stabbing ended in the arrest of an expatriate accused of attempted murder.