US-Iran Interim Deal & Sanctions Relief: The US Treasury granted Iran a 60-day waiver until Aug. 21, allowing Iranian crude and petroleum sales, dollar payments, and related shipping/insurance services—while officials say Iran also agreed to free and open Strait of Hormuz transit and nuclear inspector access, a claim Tehran disputes. Hormuz Trade & Shipping Rules: Iran’s parliament speaker says Hormuz will never return to pre-war status and Tehran will manage it under international law, with a hotline/contact point planned to keep commercial traffic safe as toll-free passage is discussed for the interim period. Nuclear Talks Tension: JD Vance says inspectors will return; Iran denies any new nuclear commitments, keeping the biggest sticking point alive as working groups are set for sanctions, nuclear issues, reconstruction, and economic development. Market Impact: Oil prices slid toward pre-war levels on the waiver and talk progress, while global stocks stayed cautious after US tech weakness; Asian shares traded mixed and India’s Sensex/Nifty opened slightly lower on global cues. Regional Diplomacy & Spoilers: Israel’s Lebanon campaign is cited as a potential deal disruptor, with Pakistan and Qatar mediating and Gulf allies watching whether the interim terms—like missile limits and a reported $300bn reconstruction fund—tilt too far toward Tehran. Iran Oil Push to Asia: With the waiver, Iran is reaching out to Asian refiners (including India) to restart purchases, though buyers remain cautious about secondary sanctions risk. Business/Tech in Iran: An Iranian knowledge-based firm developed a rapid nano-diagnostic kit for early stomach cancer risk screening via H. pylori detection. Energy/Environment Watch: A World Bank tracker flags gas flaring hitting a six-year high in 2025, with Russia and Iran among key drivers, complicating efforts to curb routine burning.