IRNA reports explosions heard in Erbil and Sulaymaniyah in northern Iraq.

The European Commission is drafting a "solidarity tool" to help firms shift supplies of critical goods and cushion the impact of trade conflicts, sources say. The measure will require funding and is being considered in talks on the EU's next multiannual financial framework; the required funding is unclear but could be substantial given the scale of affected industries and trade. Some member states are pushing for spending cuts. National envoys were briefed on the proposal this week.

The office of Qatar's emir said the emir and Pakistan's prime minister discussed regional developments, focusing on US-Iran diplomatic talks.