Aimen Jamil

Spoke with @trtworld offering insights on the evolving geopolitical landscape following the 12-day Iran-Israel conflict. Key takeaways: - Economic Impact: The war placed heavy strain on Iran’s economy—damaging energy infrastructure and slashing oil exports—while Israel absorbed costs with resilience, and the U.S. remained largely insulated. - Trade & Aviation: Global trade saw short-lived disruption from oil price volatility and regional airspace closures, though broader markets and supply chains quickly regained stability. - Strategic Outcome: Israel maintained a military edge, targeting Iran’s nuclear sites with precision. Yet, neither side achieved decisive strategic gains—leaving the conflict’s core issues unresolved. View Full Story trt.global/world/article/…

🚨#Pakistan has launched commercial bunkering services at #Gwadar Port, successfully completing its first-ever ship refuelling operation. This marks a significant step in expanding the port's maritime capabilities and strengthening its position as a regional trade and energy gateway. The LNG carrier Enugu received 2,500 metric tonnes of Very Low Sulphur Fuel Oil (VLSFO) during the operation, made possible through the joint efforts of the Gwadar Port Authority (GPA), National Logistics Cell (NLC), Gwadar International Terminals Limited (GITL), Vitol Asia, Pakistan Customs, and other maritime partners. This goes beyond a single operationit opens the door to new opportunities by: • Expanding the range of services offered at Gwadar Port • Enhancing Pakistan's blue economy and maritime sector • Attracting more international shipping traffic • Generating foreign exchange and economic activity • Creating employment and supporting regional development With commercial bunkering now operational, Gwadar is taking another meaningful step toward becoming a key maritime hub connecting regional and global trade

"The Iran war has further cemented Qatar's position as one of the world's leading diplomatic intermediaries while demonstrating that Pakistan can also serve as a credible and consequential regional broker under the right strategic circumstances." @GiorgioCafiero's latest for Afkar mecouncil.org/blog_posts/pak…

🚨UPDATE The #US Department of Commerce has eased export controls on the #UAE Key changes: • UAE removed from Country Groups D:3 & D:4 and added to A:5, expanding eligibility for license exceptions, including Strategic Trade Authorization (STA). • Easier exports of certain military items, commercial satellites, spacecraft, and dual-use technologies for oil & gas, desalination, civil nuclear power, and other sectors. • Advanced computing items including AI chips and servers can now be exported license-free to the UAE government and approved companies such as G42 and Core42, as well as U.S. firms operating there, including Amazon, Apple, and Microsoft. The move aligns with the May 2025 U.S.-UAE AI cooperation framework and marks a major expansion of technology and defense ties.

🚨UPDATE Progress on #Pakistan 🇵🇰– #US🇺🇸 Reciprocal Trade Agreement Negotiations on the Pakistan–United States Agreement on Reciprocal Trade were held in Washington, D.C., on 9–10 July in a cordial and constructive atmosphere. Both sides worked closely to narrow differences, build convergence, and advance discussions toward the early conclusion of the Agreement. Secretary Commerce Jawad Paul, who led the Pakistan delegation, described the talks as positive and appreciated the significant progress achieved during the negotiations @TahirAndrabi

🚨 UPDATE Satellite imagery published by MizarVision appears to show the USS George H.W. Bush and USS Abraham Lincoln operating approximately 160 kilometers apart in the central Arabian Sea. USNI News has confirmed that both carrier strike groups are deployed in the area.

🚨 UPDATE Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran has so far honored its commitments under a memorandum of understanding, while accusing the U.S. Treasury Secretary of violating Paragraph 9 of the agreement.

🚨UPDATE 🇵🇰🇶🇦🇮🇷 PM Shehbaz Sharif held separate calls with Iranian President Dr. Masoud Pezeshkian and the Amir of Qatar, stressing the need for restraint, dialogue, and diplomacy amid evolving regional tensions. The PM also expressed Pakistan's solidarity with Qatar following the recent attacks and urged all sides to avoid further escalation in the interest of regional peace.

🚨UPDATE Strait of Hormuz traffic remains cautious. Confirmed crossings fell for a second straight day on 9 July (22 vs. 30 on 8 July). Most vessels continue using the Iranian route, while the Omani route saw just one crossing. No new attacks since 7 July, but renewed US-Iran tensions continue to weigh on confidence and regional shipping. #Hormuz #Shipping #Maritime

🚨UPDATE #Iran's Fars News denies reports from Al Arabiya and Fox News of a new round of Iran-US talks next week. A source close to the Iranian negotiating team called claims of finalized preparations in Islamabad and continued technical discussions "false" with "no basis in reality," adding that any developments would come only through official Iranian channels.

🚨UPDATE #Qatar    Investment Authority (QIA) Volkswagen's third-largest shareholder, with roughly 10% of shares and 17% of voting rights has reportedly opposed a proposed partnership between Volkswagen and Rafael Advanced Defense Systems. The proposal would have repurposed Volkswagen's struggling Osnabrück plant to manufacture components for Israel's Iron Dome missile defense system and related military equipment. Rafael had signed a letter of intent earlier this year. According to reports, Qatar's opposition reflects its reluctance to support an Israeli defense project amid its complex relationship with Israel. The stakes are significant: production of the T-Roc at the Osnabrück plant is scheduled to end in 2027, with no confirmed replacement model. Around 2,300 jobs are at risk, and the Rafael partnership had been viewed as a potential lifeline to keep the facility operating

🚨 Temporary Pause After U.S.–Iran Escalation 🇺🇸🇮🇷 After two days of intense air and missile strikes, the United States and Iran have reportedly paused further strikes, offering a temporary respite from the escalating conflict. According to reports, diplomatic efforts led by #Pakistan🇵🇰, #Qatar, and #Oman 🇴🇲have helped reduce tensions and reopened the possibility of renewed negotiations. The proposed talks are expected to focus on key issues, including security, sanctions, and the Strait of Hormuz a vital global oil shipping route. While both sides continue to defend their positions, the current pause has raised cautious hopes that diplomacy may help prevent further escalation. With the Strait of Hormuz playing a crucial role in global energy supplies, any renewed conflict could have far-reaching effects on oil prices, international trade, and regional stability. The situation remains highly dynamic, and developments in the coming days will be closely watched around the world.

🚨UPDATE The State of #Qatar strongly condemns the armed attacks on police and army personnel in Balochistan Province of #Pakistan 🇵🇰 which resulted in fatalities

🚨UPDATE: A notable #US– #Iraq financial development: Iraq has reportedly agreed to tighten financial controls aimed at preventing U.S. dollars from reaching Iran through currency exchanges, salary payments, and other channels. In return, the Trump administration has ended its four-month suspension of physical U.S. dollar shipments to Iraq, restoring a critical source of cash for the country's economy.

🚨 UPDATE Reports indicate that air defense interceptions have been observed over #Jordan, with video footage reportedly showing Iranian projectiles being intercepted in Jordanian airspace.

🚨UPDATE Provincial Apex Committee meeting under National Action Plan (NAP) underway in #Quetta, chaired by PM Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif. Attended by Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, Chief of Army Staff, Balochistan CM, and heads of law enforcement agencies. Focus on strengthening peace and security in the province.

🚨UPDATE Reports from Iranian state media says that the #US struck the Aq Tappeh Khan Bridge near Aqqala in #Iran’s Golestan Province a key rail link on the eastern branch of the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC). This is more than just a railway bridge. It serves as one of Iran’s primary northeastern rail gateways to Central Asia, connecting onward to Russia and the broader Eurasian freight network through the China–Kazakhstan–Turkmenistan–Incheh Borun corridor. The route has become increasingly important for regional trade as Iran seeks to diversify its connectivity beyond the Persian Gulf. The implications extend well beyond tactical military objectives. Targeting critical transport infrastructure would suggest an effort to disrupt Iran’s strategic overland logistics and reduce its ability to rely on alternative trade corridors while increasing pressure beyond the maritime domain. The broader takeaway is becoming increasingly clear: in modern conflicts, corridors, railways, ports, and logistics networks are no longer just economic infrastructure they're strategic assets and increasingly, strategic targets. (Image : INTELLNEWS)

🚨UPDATE #Pakistan 🇵🇰 to welcome H.E. Dr. Gordan Grlić Radman, Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of #Croatia, on 9 July 2026 the first-ever visit to Pakistan by a Croatian Foreign Minister, at the invitation of Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar. The high-level engagement will focus on expanding cooperation in: 🔹 Trade & Investment 🔹 Visa Facilitation 🔹 Education 🔹 Defence 🔹 Information Technology 🔹 Maritime Cooperation During the visit, the Croatian Foreign Minister will also call on the Prime Minister of Pakistan and the Chairman of the Senate. This historic visit reflects the shared commitment of both countries to strengthening bilateral ties and exploring new opportunities for cooperation, partnership, and mutual growth.

🚨 UPDATE #Türkiye    and the #UnitedKingdom 🇬🇧 signed a Security and Defense Partnership Agreement on the sidelines of the NATO Summit in Ankara, marking a new step in bilateral defense cooperation between the two #NATO allies. The terms of the agreement have not been made public. The signing reflects continued efforts by Ankara and London to strengthen security coordination within the broader NATO framework.

📍 #MENA Business Brief | 8 July 2026 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia: Water sector privatization accelerates, with committed investments exceeding $16 billion (SAR 56 billion portfolio across 48 projects) under Vision 2030. Focus is on boosting private participation in desalination and treatment to strengthen water security. 🇦🇪United Arab Emirates: Early gains from the UAE-Ukraine CEPA (effective 1 July). 2025 non-oil trade stood at $346.8 million; the deal is forecast to add $369 million to UAE GDP and $874 million to Ukraine’s by 2031, with near-total tariff elimination. 🇮🇶Iraq: Efforts to join BRICS intensify for economic diversification, reduced reliance on Western systems, and access to new funding. 🇸🇾Syria / 🇦🇪UAE: Syria-UAE economic corridor advances quickly. Non-oil trade hit $1.4 billion in 2025 (+132% YoY), backed by major investments including DP World’s $800 million in Tartous port and Emaar’s potential $18+ billion in real estate and infrastructure. 🇦🇪United Arab Emirates: Green finance remains strong, with robust sustainable bond issuance and ESG projects drawing investor confidence in UAE climate leadership. 🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia: Services exports continue their upward trend, supported by strong tourism performance and non-oil growth. Tourism in particular has benefited from eased visa policies and major events, contributing significantly to economic diversification. 🌍 MENA: Business travel airfares surge 46% in H1 2026, highlighting rising regional economic activity and connectivity. The increase signals stronger business confidence and recovery in key aviation hubs across the region. 🌍 MENA: Startup ecosystem remains resilient with steady fintech and AI funding, while M&A activity shows cautious recovery. Despite geopolitical headwinds, investors continue backing innovative ventures focused on digital transformation and sustainability.

🚨UPDATE #Pakistan and #China have agreed to expand cooperation on counterterrorism and broader internal security matters. This follows a bilateral meeting between Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and China’s Vice Minister of Public Security, Ling Zhifeng, held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. The discussions focused on strengthening bilateral coordination, enhancing security collaboration, border management, and addressing shared challenges through closer law enforcement and intelligence cooperation. This development further reinforces the strategic partnership between the two countries in maintaining regional peace and stability.