US-Iran Escalation: CENTCOM says it redirected nine commercial vessels and disabled one as it enforces a renewed maritime blockade, while launching another round of strikes to degrade Iran’s ability to threaten mariners. Air Defense in the Gulf: Kuwait activated air defenses to intercept Iranian drone threats over Erbil and elsewhere, with reports of explosions tied to drone interceptions. Congress & War Funding: The US House narrowly passed a $1.15T defense bill, including provisions tied to Iran operations and a Department of War renaming push, setting up more funding fights. Defense Tech for Drones & Missiles: GA-ASI and MBDA plan to integrate MBDA SPEAR missiles with the MQ-9B and Gambit 6 for 100-km standoff strikes; Airbus unveiled the reusable Bird of Prey interceptor drone aimed at one-way attack swarms. Industrial Moves & Contracts: Boeing won a $42.9M UAE C-17 infrared defense upgrade; Raytheon secured a $1.8B Navy radar production expansion; Ukraine cleared its Firefly precision guidance kit for serial production. Cyber Startup: Former DOGE staff launched Cathedral, an AI military cyber startup valued at $1.4B, targeting offensive and defensive operations.