July 3, 2026 — Daily Digest

Status: DUAL TRACK — Production Recovering Rapidly While Iran Rebuilds Capabilities

Key Developments

OPEC: +3.3 MMBbl/d in June (Biggest Monthly Jump Ever)

  • OPEC-11: 19.43 MMBbl/d in June — up 3.3 MMBbl/d from May (lowest since 2000)
  • Kuwait and Iran biggest gainers
  • Saudi Arabia, Iraq also boosted output
  • Key caveat: Still well below pre-war levels; much of recovery = restart of shut-in volumes
  • Tanker traffic still below pre-war; insurers and shipowners cautious after vessel attacks

Ali Khamenei Funeral; New Supreme Leader Absent

  • Former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei funeral held in Tehran
  • Mojtaba Khamenei (new Supreme Leader, reportedly injured in US strike that killed him) did NOT appear publicly
  • IRGC Commander Ahmad Vahidi (also reportedly injured) made first public appearance

Iran Fortifying Nuclear Sites

  • Satellite imagery (commercially available, per ISIS): Iranian construction vehicles at western tunnel entrances of Kolang Gaz La Mountain nuclear site (June 21–30)
  • ISW-CTP: Iran using 60-day MoU period to fortify defenses at nuclear facilities
  • Qom Friday Prayer Leader: Iran using this period to rebuild defense capabilities; expressed doubts about negotiations

Hormuz Toll Dispute: Oman Proposes Voluntary Fund; Iran Wants Mandatory

  • Oman proposed voluntary "maritime services" fund; Iran rejected and wants mandatory fees
  • ISW: Status quo (Iran gets economic relief without nuclear concessions) is favorable for Iran
  • "US is losing leverage in nuclear negotiations" — ISW-CTP assessment

Regional: Hezbollah-Israel

  • IDF and Hezbollah engaging in southern Lebanon
  • Hezbollah fighter injured 3 IDF reservists (small arms, Bint Jbeil)
  • IDF struck 10 Hezbollah sites in response

Sources

  • Oilprice.com (Julianne Geiger, July 3): OPEC production data
  • ISW-CTP Iran Update Special Report (July 3, 2026)
  • ISIS satellite imagery analysis (July 2)