US-Iran Backchannel: Qatar says US and Iran talks to end the Middle East war are still ongoing, with message exchanges continuing despite a deadlock over the Strait of Hormuz. Diplomacy in the Region: Iran’s interior minister met Qatar’s interior leadership in Doha as both sides stressed stability and security cooperation. Iranian Domestic Crackdown: A Kurdish man from Kermanshah was sentenced to death in Tehran for alleged “collaboration with hostile states” tied to the January protests; Iran also executed two more people linked to protest cases. UK Court on Iranian Spying: Three alleged Iranian spies in London used ChatGPT for surveillance of journalists and were accused of planning “serious violence,” including a plot tied to Iran International. War, Politics, and Outrage in the US: Trump’s Nebraska remarks suggesting Iran could “take out” Los Angeles and San Diego sparked bipartisan backlash; the White House says he was warning against Iran gaining nuclear capability. Energy Pressure: The US EIA raised oil price forecasts as Iran-war disruptions tighten diesel markets and reduce global inventories. Regional Security: Egypt urged de-escalation and safe navigation in the Red Sea and Bab Al-Mandab amid rising tensions.