Iran Media Crackdown: Iran’s parliament approved a bill that would sharply increase punishments for any contact with foreign media, including possible prison terms up to two years without written permission from the Foreign Ministry, and even tougher penalties for related education/research activities. US Research Security Audits: The Pentagon ordered “research security audits” at UC Berkeley and 29 other U.S. institutions, warning that noncompliance could cost future federal funding and pushing universities to review foreign research and financial ties. Defense Tech & Supply Strain: Reports highlight U.S. missile and interceptor shortages amid the Iran war, while the Pentagon continues major weapons procurement and readiness moves. Strait of Hormuz Pressure: Analysis says Iran’s grip on Hormuz has weakened in intensity, but Tehran still has leverage to disrupt shipping and raise costs, keeping global energy risk elevated. Markets, Rates, and AI: Wall Street rebounded as Treasury yields stabilized after intervention efforts; economists point to AI-driven investment supporting growth, even as higher borrowing costs weigh on housing starts. Crypto & Prediction Markets: A report claims suspicious Polymarket wallets made about $8M from defense-related bets, renewing scrutiny of access to sensitive information. Iran Solar Push: Iran broke ground on a 5,000-MW solar plant described as the world’s largest, signaling continued expansion of domestic clean-energy projects.