U.S. Sanctions & Maritime Security: The US Treasury’s OFAC sanctioned eight oil tankers and 10 entities tied to Iran’s Strait of Hormuz “shadow fleet,” including two firms described as brokering IRGC-linked extortion “insurance” schemes, with links flagged to countries including Vanuatu. Vanuatu Governance & Integrity: The MSG Secretariat welcomed new Director General Dr Anna Naupa, the first female and first ni-Vanuatu to lead the regional body, as staff transition into a new chapter. Vanuatu Elections Roll: Electoral Commission chair Edward Kaltamat says Vanuatu’s roll dates back to 1980, with voters now at about 302,307 versus a 309,000 census population, and notes deaths and duplications remain unless death certificates are provided. Food Security vs Exports: The Malvatumauri National Council of Chiefs says Vanuatu should feed its own people first ahead of the 50,000 Taro Project, with taro distribution planned for schools, hospitals, correctional services and security forces. Regional Security Debate: A Pacific security expert warns that the region’s security architecture is getting more complex and risks sidelining Pacific priorities as new alliances and geopolitical competition grow. Deep-Sea Mining Pressure: At the ISA Assembly in Kingston, Vanuatu is set to present a science item as Pacific civil society and others push for a global deep-sea mining moratorium. RSE Worker Protections (Regional Policy Link): New Zealand’s immigration minister says accommodation and worker protections for RSE workers will be phased in over two years, though housing decisions remain a live issue.