AGP Executive Report

US–Iran Diplomacy: Indirect US-Iran technical talks in Doha focused on Strait of Hormuz shipping and a ceasefire, with mediators Qatar and Pakistan reporting “positive progress” and the next round set after Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s funeral processions. Energy & Trade Tech: Washington urged Iran to drop proposed Hormuz transit fees, warning that a nuclear deal’s benefits outweigh any shipping charges. AI for Arabic: Inception42 launched “Seraj,” an enterprise AI model built with Microsoft to improve Arabic reasoning and cultural understanding for government and business use. Healthcare Infrastructure: Abu Dhabi Biobank and Bascom Palmer Eye Institute will establish the Middle East’s first eye bank in Abu Dhabi to expand corneal transplant capabilities. Digital Transformation: Kenya and Egypt agreed to deepen cooperation on AI, e-government, cybersecurity, and digital skills. Smart Mobility: UAE AI firm Presight AI signed a Kazakhstan transport deal to develop smart road and highway technologies. Industrial Projects: Webuild began operations at an Aramco water treatment plant in Saudi Arabia, moving from construction to operations. Regional Connectivity: EgyptAir launched its first direct Cairo–Chicago flights, adding a new US destination. Digital Economy Rankings: Saudi Arabia retained the top spot in the 2026 ICT Development Index, driven by digital infrastructure investment.

US-Iran Strait of Hormuz talks: Indirect US-Iran technical negotiations in Qatar focused on shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and implementation of a June MoU, with Iran saying a “communication channel” will be set up to report MoU breaches and part of $6bn frozen assets will be used to buy needed goods; US VP JD Vance said talks are “going well” but warned Washington won’t rule out military action if Iran escalates. Energy markets: Oil prices slid as optimism around the talks eased supply fears, even as uncertainty remains over longer-term issues like nuclear limits. Iran-US diplomacy mechanics: Qatar and Pakistan mediated lower-level sessions after reports said no high-level meeting was scheduled, while both sides traded claims about progress and next steps. Saudi clean power buildout: Saudi Arabia prequalified 27 firms for a second round of 12 GWh utility battery storage projects (3 GW) to boost grid reliability and renewable integration. Connectivity and telecom: Kuwait’s Zain won a 25-year Syria mobile licence with plans for 5G and AI-powered upgrades; Türkiye’s Caltta and Novatel showcased mission-critical communications for public safety and utilities. Regional tech ecosystem: Türkiye pushed policies to attract global startup capital and talent, positioning itself as an entrepreneurship hub ahead of GITEX AI Europe and a planned Turkish GITEX launch. Cyber risk watch: Pakistan warned of rising cyberattacks amid regional deal-making, urging organizations to prepare for threats.

US-Iran Diplomacy: Iran says it will not meet top US envoys in Doha, insisting the ceasefire MoU terms—especially ceasefire details, frozen assets, and Strait of Hormuz passage—must be implemented first; Qatar and Pakistan mediators are still running indirect technical talks, while JD Vance calls Tehran’s denials a “Persian negotiating tactic.” Strait of Hormuz Watch: Shipping has partially resumed, but Iran and Oman push a plan to collect transit fees, clashing with US and many Gulf positions; a container ship reportedly ran aground after not using Iran-approved routing. Israel Air Defense Upgrade: Israel completed tests integrating Iron Dome with the Iron Beam laser system, aiming to better handle high-volume saturation attacks. Saudi Energy Storage: Saudi Arabia prequalified 27 firms for six utility-scale 12GWh battery projects (3,000MW, 4-hour discharge). Manufacturing Resilience: A June survey says manufacturing output grew fastest in 21 months as firms stockpiled amid Iran-war disruption, though new orders and optimism are fading. Tech & Markets: AI hardware demand is keeping Asia’s factories expanding even as markets stay cautious on Iran-talk uncertainty.

Satellite & Telecom Expansion: Türkiye’s Turksat and Qatar’s Es’hailSat signed a strategic partnership for the Es’hail-3/Turksat-Biruni high-throughput Ka-band satellite, aiming at capacity sharing and long-term commercial growth. Mobile Connectivity in the Levant: Zain won a 25-year Syria telecom license after a $747M bid, with a new operating entity planned (75% Zain, 25% Syrian government) and a Q1 2027 launch target. US-Iran Mediation Watch: US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner arrived in Doha, but Iran and Qatar say there will be no direct high-level meeting; technical talks continue as both sides argue over ceasefire terms and Strait of Hormuz management. Nuclear & Missile Stakes: Analysis highlights Iran’s stockpile of 60% enriched uranium and disputes over IAEA access as key sticking points. Air Defense Upgrades: Israel completed upgraded Iron Dome tests, integrating the Or Eitan laser into its command-and-control network. Tech, Markets & Policy: S&P 500 and Nasdaq posted their best quarter since 2020 amid easing Iran-war fears, while a US House panel blocked a move to cut Israel defense-tech integration funding.

US-Iran Doha Talks: Trump says a meeting is set for Tuesday in Doha, but Iran insists no negotiations are scheduled “at any level,” even as both sides keep talking via intermediaries and technical teams amid a fragile Hormuz ceasefire. Strait of Hormuz: Oman’s FM says mine-clearance responsibility “primarily rests with Iran,” highlighting how shipping safety remains the flashpoint. Iraq Anti-Corruption: Iraq’s crackdown continues with major cash seizures tied to senior officials, including $11m plus billions of dinars found in a deputy oil minister’s home. Qatar-EU Business Links: Qatar Chamber joins Arab-Belgian-Luxembourg Chamber meetings in Brussels, electing leadership and pushing cross-regional partnerships. Syria Telecom: Zain Kuwait reportedly secures a 20-year licence to operate a mobile network in Syria, taking over MTN Syria’s infrastructure. Egypt Startup Funding: BrainsMingle raises a $400,000 seed from BasharSoft Group to expand its AI video-first professional networking platform. Saudi Humanitarian Tech: KSrelief and UNDP launch a rural women empowerment program in Syria under “Bathraa,” adding renewable energy and production support. Israel Defense Tech: Israel Shipyards unveils AREONOUS to intercept FPV drones using autonomous net-launching kits. Turkey Trade: Türkiye’s trade deficit narrows 15.6% in May as imports fall faster than exports.

US-Iran De-escalation Talks: Trump confirmed high-level US-Iran talks in Doha on Tuesday, with envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner attending, while Iran’s foreign ministry says no US negotiations are planned and insists its own technical delegation will focus on MoU implementation. Strait of Hormuz: Both sides agreed to pause attacks and allow shipping, but Iran also signaled it will manage transit routes and collect fees, keeping leverage—and market risk—alive. Frozen Funds: Iran’s president said Qatar will release $6B in frozen assets, tied to MoU steps, as talks remain disputed. Iraq-Kurdish Pressure: Iran reportedly urged Baghdad to expel or detain Iranian Kurdish opposition groups in Iraq’s Kurdistan, adding regional friction. Tech & Markets: Wall Street rallied as tech rebounded and Comcast surged on plans to split; oil rose but stayed cautious. Health Research: Israeli and US researchers reported a path to regenerate inner-ear hair cells by blocking Notch signaling, offering hope for permanent hearing loss. Aviation Cooperation: Kuwait joined ACAO talks in Rabat, highlighting Arab aviation safety, security, and carbon-reduction strategies. Egypt Archaeology: A 2,500-year-old temple complex was unearthed in Egypt’s Bahariya Oasis, boosting cultural tourism prospects.

US-Iran De-escalation: The U.S. and Iran agreed to “stand down” and pause strikes “for now,” with technical talks resuming in Doha, Qatar, as vessels are said to be able to move freely through the Strait of Hormuz—after a weekend of drone and missile attacks that rattled shipping and markets. Frozen Assets: Iran’s president says $6B of frozen funds held in Qatar will be released to Tehran under the interim understanding, with a further $6B also in the pipeline. Nuclear Oversight: IAEA chief Rafael Grossi says Iran is obligated to allow inspections under the MoU, with practical steps now being prepared. Energy & Metals: Aluminium prices eased as fears of wider Middle East shipping disruption faded, while oil and equities swung on the ceasefire headlines. Local Tech & Climate: Dubai hotel Manor by JA says a new heating-systems model cuts energy use by up to 80% with a 10-year service setup. Education in Yemen: IsDB and KFAED signed a $1M grant to strengthen technical and vocational training in Turbah. Cybersecurity: ESET joined a global operation to disrupt the Amadey botnet and Stealc infostealer. AI Localization: Vmake Labs launched an AI video translator for multilingual dubbing, lip sync, and enhancement. Regional Industry: Türkiye ranked Europe’s No.2 for hydropower capacity, underscoring continued renewable buildout.

US–Iran Hormuz Talks: The US and Iran agreed to stop “kinetic activity” and meet in Doha Tuesday to settle disputes over Strait of Hormuz, after renewed strikes and a fraying 60-day ceasefire; Iran also pulled out of Sunday technical talks, citing attacks and unmet MoU conditions like access to unfrozen funds. Regional Security Tech: Israel said it destroyed Hezbollah’s “drone fortress” in Lebanon’s Majdal Zoun, describing a deep underground network built with Iranian know-how and stocked with drones and explosives. Gulf Escalation: Iran launched drones and missiles at Bahrain and Kuwait after US strikes, threatening a “complete halt” to negotiations if attacks continue, while Kuwait reported intercepts of hostile ballistic missiles. Health & Development Science: A Haifa-led study linked early kidney and skeletal development to the same embryonic region, pointing to better approaches for certain birth defects. Agriculture & Food Safety: UAE University researchers warn bovine tuberculosis may be spreading across MENA via cattle and raw milk, with surveillance gaps masking variants. Saudi Digital Tourism: Saudi Arabia launched an AI Tourism Vision and TourismX platform to digitize the visitor journey and boost tourism innovation. Workforce Mobility: Pakistan targets deploying 1 million workers to Saudi Arabia by 2030 across construction, healthcare, IT, logistics and more.

Vaccine Manufacturing in Egypt: Korra Energi won a 470.7m Egyptian pound contract to build the GennVax Egypt vaccine plant in the Suez Canal Economic Zone, aiming to localize vaccine production and strengthen pharmaceutical security. AI Diplomacy in the UAE: The UAE used the Pax Silica Summit in Washington to push a US-aligned plan for secure AI supply chains, from semiconductors and cloud infrastructure to large models. Arab Digital Sovereignty: Arab parliamentary leaders in Cairo backed efforts to deepen Arab digital sovereignty and protect national privacy as AI reshapes security and governance. Life Sciences in Abu Dhabi: Masdar City launched Biosphere Labs, the GCC’s first commercially scaled shared lab, partnering with M42 and Attentive Science to speed up biotech R&D and access to lab infrastructure. Health Regulation in Saudi Arabia: Saudi Arabia’s health ministry suspended a practitioner for promoting exosome injections online in ways that conflict with approved guidance. Regional Tech & Trade: Kuwait’s Boursa opened the door for SME listings via a new Emerging Companies Market, while Saudi-China logistics ties expanded with smart mobility deals in Shanghai. Energy & Shipping Watch: Rystad forecasts Middle East oil supply recovery by end-2026, with the UAE’s export capacity and bypass routes playing a key role. Ceasefire Strain: Fresh US-Iran strikes around the Strait of Hormuz raised new risks for shipping and regional stability.

Strait of Hormuz Escalation: The US launched fresh strikes on Iranian military infrastructure near the Strait of Hormuz after attacks on commercial shipping, while Iran retaliated—raising new risks for Gulf shipping and the fragile ceasefire. Arab Digital Sovereignty: Qatar’s Shura speaker urged Arab states to deepen digital sovereignty via updated laws and Digital Agenda 2030, stressing privacy, identity, and security as AI accelerates. Arab Parliamentary Push: Arab parliaments in Cairo backed a unified stance on sovereignty and security, reaffirming support for Palestinians and rejecting Iranian actions against Arab states. Israel-Lebanon Framework Reality Check: Israel’s Netanyahu framed the US-brokered Lebanon deal as preserving its southern security zone, but experts warn implementation hinges on Hezbollah and Iran, with no guarantee of full withdrawal. Egypt Coastal Resilience: Egypt reviewed coastal protection projects to cut climate risks, calling for scientific monitoring and stricter standards to protect strategic shorelines. Health Tech in Israel: Rambam reported early success using non-invasive brain stimulation to treat opioid addiction in about 20 minutes, aiming to reduce cravings. World Cup Tech Drama: Iran’s late goal vs Egypt was ruled out for offside, sending Egypt into the knockout stage—while Iran coach blamed “technology” and bad luck. Saudi Football Overhaul: Saudi Arabia is set to sack coach Georgios Donis after a group-stage exit, with a broader national team restructuring underway. Start-up Funding Talk (Egypt): Planning and higher education ministers discussed creating a start-up financing fund to boost entrepreneurship and venture capital access.

Strait of Hormuz Tensions: A drone hit a cargo ship near the Strait of Hormuz, prompting US strikes on Iranian targets; Iran retaliated against US-linked sites, putting a fragile US-Iran ceasefire framework back under strain and disrupting UN evacuation plans. Markets & Tech Sentiment: Global stocks wobbled as tech fears returned after Apple and Microsoft price hikes tied to AI-driven component costs; oil slid as shipping resumed, helping markets recover from early jitters. Gulf Governance & Safety Tech: Saudi Arabia approved a law to manage seized assets from money laundering and terrorism cases, while the UAE said a technical malfunction triggered a false missile alert before being corrected. Iran’s Digital Pressure: Reports say Iranian banks have repeatedly suspended card and mobile services after cyberattacks, with outages tied to disruptions and selective access controls. Cyber Threats to Civil Society: Cloudflare warned that DDoS and other attacks are increasingly targeting rights and humanitarian groups as conflicts and instability drive smarter cybercrime. Egypt Mining Push: Egypt is ramping up modern mineral exploration to boost mining’s role in the economy, linking new mapping efforts to ancient gold sites. World Cup Tech & VAR: Egypt-Iran ended 1-1 after VAR overturned a late Iranian goal for offside, while Mohamed Salah’s hamstring injury now threatens Egypt’s next match.

Hormuz Security & Asymmetric Warfare: A new analysis argues Iran’s maritime strategy leans on mines, sabotage, and drone swarms—integrated with cyber and disinformation—to offset conventional military gaps and pressure global shipping. US-Iran Escalation: The Pentagon says the US carried out strikes on Iranian missile/drone storage and coastal radar sites after an attack on a cargo ship in the Strait of Hormuz; Trump called it a “foolish violation” of the ceasefire. De-escalation Logistics: South Korea reports eight more commercial vessels safely exited Hormuz, leaving just five still delayed in the region. Regional Tech & Industry: Türkiye says it completed its first clinical surgery using a homegrown heart-lung machine developed with Aselsan. Energy Policy: EU energy ministers agreed positions on the European grids package and discussed how the Middle East crisis is reshaping energy security. Nuclear Cooperation: Canada signals early talks with Türkiye on Candu nuclear reactors after a visit to Darlington. Health Innovation: Iranian researchers report a computationally designed mRNA breast cancer vaccine candidate targeting VEGFR2 and c-MET.

Nuclear diplomacy & verification: IAEA chief Rafael Grossi says Iran’s nuclear pledge needs “very strong” verification and that inspectors should soon gain access, after a US-Iran interim framework that includes downblending under IAEA supervision. Strait of Hormuz risk: Iran struck a vessel in the Strait of Hormuz and has pushed new transit rules, while US-Iran talks continue and officials say the corridor is meant to reopen toll-free—raising fresh shipping and insurance concerns. Regional power politics: Iran escalated accusations against NATO, citing Rutte’s comments about Italy and Romania’s alleged support for US strikes, while Israel’s reported “no permission” posture toward Iran adds uncertainty for regional balancing. Egypt renewables push: Egypt signed deals with SANY and local partners for its first wind turbine manufacturing plant plus a 2GW Gulf of Suez wind project, aiming to localize clean-energy equipment. Iraq oil governance: Iraq’s Oil Ministry denied it will leave OPEC, saying quota reviews are handled through agreed technical mechanisms. Tech & health in Israel: Rambam used noninvasive brain stimulation to treat an opioid addiction patient in minutes, marking a potential shift in detox care. Markets & tech sentiment: South Korea’s Kospi posted its biggest weekly drop in months as US tech weakness hit chip-heavy indexes.

Hormuz Diplomacy: GCC foreign ministers in Manama backed reopening the Strait of Hormuz with free, unconditional navigation and rejected any tolls or fees, while US Sec. of State Marco Rubio warned that charging for passage would mean “total chaos.” Oman-Iran Coordination: Iran’s FM Araghchi and Oman’s Albusaidi held a phone call on administering maritime traffic under the 60-day arrangements in the US-Iran MoU, with both sides stressing joint technical talks and sovereignty. UN AI for Diplomacy: UN-Habitat and the Turkey Embassy in Kuwait ran an “AI for Diplomacy” workshop focused on safe, responsible AI use in diplomatic work, with emphasis on data protection and keeping decisions human-led. Regional Security Talks: Rubio also said the US has limits on what it will accept in any Iran deal and praised Qatar’s mediation role in securing the US-Iran ceasefire. Turkey Defense Industry: NATO chief Mark Rutte flagged higher defense spending ahead of the Ankara summit, as reporting highlights growing European use of Turkish drone tech. Power Sector MoUs: Pakistan and Türkiye signed three agreements to boost electricity market cooperation, digitalisation, and technical expertise. AI Compute Deal: Gorilla Technology landed a $2.5B, five-year GPUaaS contract tied to deployments in Indonesia.

US-Iran Diplomacy & Hormuz: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio wrapped up a Gulf tour in Bahrain, saying any Iran deal must protect Gulf security and rejecting any idea that countries can charge for using international waterways; he also pointed to Oman’s announced corridor for safer Strait of Hormuz passage as oil fears ease. OPEC Pressure: Iraq warned it may consider leaving OPEC if its oil quota isn’t raised, citing war-hit exports and pushing for higher output targets as OPEC reviews members’ technical capacity for 2027. Egypt Fintech & Markets: Egypt’s e-wallet financing push gained momentum as Erada Finance partnered with Axis Pay to disburse loans via wallet networks; MNT-Halan is reportedly planning an EGX IPO valuing it around $900m–$1bn, while the EGX received Enppi’s request to list on the main market and MSMEDA signed an EGX protocol to expand SME financing access. AI & Cloud Skills in Saudi: Tuwaiq Academy and Google Cloud launched an AI & Cloud Champions Program to train talent and support startups with sandbox access and certification pathways. Regional Tech/Industry Deals: Wood won a five-year Aramco long-term agreement for in-kingdom project support, and Origin Technology wrapped up its Cairo summit showcasing track-and-trace and digital transformation for supply chains. Energy/Markets Mood: Asia tech rallied after Micron’s blowout forecast, while oil slid toward pre-Iran-war levels, lifting risk appetite across markets.

US-Iran Talks: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio says US-Iran technical teams will meet again in Switzerland on June 29–30, focusing on sanctions and the nuclear file, while Iran and the US continue to trade conflicting claims over inspections and frozen funds. Oil & Markets: As Hormuz traffic picks up, Brent slid to about $73.83 and WTI briefly dipped under $70, helping ease inflation fears, but tech-led market jitters linger. Israel-Lebanon Front: Israel’s Katz says the US has not demanded Israel withdraw from southern Lebanon, even as Israeli forces surround a Hezbollah underground complex in Tebnit, raising risks to ongoing diplomacy. Nuclear Oversight: The UN nuclear chief says IAEA supervision of Iran inspections is spelled out in the MoU, while Tehran says access depends on a final deal. Tech & Energy Innovation: Researchers unveiled ultrathin polymer membranes that could sharply cut energy use in hydrocarbon processing by separating refinery streams faster and more selectively. Egypt Finance: Al Baraka Bank Egypt won 10 EMEA Finance awards for deals across syndicated lending, infrastructure, agro-industry, and Islamic finance. Digital Payments & Telecom: Jordan’s Crown Prince met US tech leaders in Silicon Valley, exploring AI, fintech, SaaS, and digital education cooperation with Jordan.