Strait of Hormuz Risk: Traders cut odds of a meaningful Hormuz shipping recovery by end-August, with most scenarios pointing to fewer than 40 ships a day as diplomacy with Iran and Oman remains fragile. Iran’s Position: An Iranian lawmaker said the strait will stay closed until the US leaves the region and threats end, keeping energy and fertilizer supply worries front and center. Energy Costs & Policy: Romania delayed a 20% VAT on electricity and gas until April 1, 2027, applying it only above set consumption thresholds—aimed at easing near-term household pressure. Grid Bottlenecks: India’s clean power buildout is racing ahead, but experts warn the real test is transmission, storage, procurement and large-scale adoption as curtailment shows integration gaps. Clean Tech Push: Envision Energy and Sasol advanced a green hydrogen design study in South Africa, targeting lower-carbon fuels and chemicals. Regional Impacts: Thailand’s inflation eased but stayed pressured by Middle East-linked fuel costs, while Wizz Air posted a loss as higher fuel expenses hit Europe’s low-cost carriers. Nuclear Momentum: Aboitiz Power in the Philippines signed an MOU with South Korea’s KHNP to explore nuclear options for baseload energy. Infrastructure Deals: ECOnnect Energy will supply a floating LNG import terminal platform for the Bahamas, aiming to stabilize fuel for power generation. US-Iran Diplomacy: US VP JD Vance said Washington will use military, economic and diplomatic tools to resolve the Iran conflict, with oil prices expected to fall if talks progress. Energy Security Framing: India’s steel minister argued energy security now hinges on manufacturing resilience and tech supply chains, not just resource access.