Maritime Safety & Tourism: Oman is facing a fast-growing environmental scare as a sanctioned Russian “shadow fleet” tanker sinks near the Hallaniyat Islands, raising fresh worries for marine life and the region’s travel and shipping routes. Red Sea & Yemen Frontlines: In Yemen, Houthi strikes hit Marib again, killing civilians and injuring people in displacement camps, while Yemen’s forces also reported stopping an explosives-laden boat aimed at an oil tanker in the Red Sea. Regional Security: Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan signed the “Mecca Joint Defence Agreement,” saying an attack on one is an attack on all—an escalation that could further affect travel planning across the Gulf. Strait of Hormuz Watch: Iran and Oman are still edging toward a shipping framework, but Iran says reopening depends on wider conditions; meanwhile the UAE says an Iranian missile targeted an ADNOC-owned ship. Saudi Travel Disruptions: Saudi authorities arrested 14,440 illegal residents in a week and deported 10,827, with many referred for travel documents—another reminder of tightening border enforcement for travelers and residents. Yemen Healthcare & Travel Demand: A Taiz patient story highlights how Yemen’s collapsing healthcare is pushing people to seek treatment abroad, even when they can’t afford it.