Strait of Hormuz Talks Under Strain: The US carried out new “defensive” strikes in Iran, including hitting a ground control station near Bandar Abbas and shooting down drones, hours after President Donald Trump dismissed an Iranian report that Iran and Oman would jointly manage Strait of Hormuz shipping—while warning Oman it must “behave” or face force. Energy & Trade Shock: With Hormuz transits down to about 6% of pre-conflict levels, the blockade is deepening supply shortages that are hitting jobs and growth, and raising costs across developing economies. Bahrain in the Mix: Bahrain is repeatedly named in regional accounts tied to Hormuz security and wider fallout, while Bahrain’s non-oil exports of national origin reached BD912m in Q1 2026 and its trade balance deficit narrowed as imports fell. Aluminium Squeeze Hits Solar: War-linked aluminium shortages are pushing up solar racking prices in the US by around 20%, with Bahrain and the UAE among key aluminium import sources. Abraham Accords Pressure: Trump renewed demands that Gulf and other Muslim-majority states sign the Abraham Accords as a condition for any Iran deal, drawing mockery and pushback—while Bahrain’s UN diplomacy also emphasized charter principles and collective security. Local Governance: Kuwait Health Centre in Karzakan completed a major healthcare expansion, adding specialist and dental facilities under Bahrain’s Economic Vision 2030.