US-Iran Escalation Near Oman: The US began new strikes on Iran after Trump blamed Tehran for an Apache helicopter crash near the Strait of Hormuz off Oman; CENTCOM said the response targeted air defense and radar sites, while Iran reported blasts in southern areas and warned it would target vessels in the strait. Autonomous Rescue Tech: In a first, a US Navy Corsair unmanned surface drone boat helped rescue two Apache aviators after the crash, highlighting how robotics is moving into real-world recovery missions. Oman Shipping Fallout: India summoned the US chargé d’affaires over the attack on the Palau-flagged tanker Settebello off Oman, where 3 Indian crew members remain missing; the MEA called for immediate de-escalation as repeated attacks disrupt one of the world’s key fuel corridors. Regional Rail Progress: The Oman-UAE Hafeet Rail project says it is 40% complete, with construction accelerating across key route locations. Oman Tech & Industry Moves: Oman’s Sas for Excellence scheme backs domestic tech firms, while Oman Commercial Arbitration Center introduced 2026 rules to speed up dispute resolution. Mobility AI Push: QCraft showcased urban NOA on Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Ride SoC, targeting global mass production in 2026.