Explainer Hormuz tolls, frozen funds pose early tests for US-Iran peace progress Early cracks are beginning to show following last week’s US-Iran deal announcement even as both sides move ahead with steps toward ending the four-month conflict. Iran
Explainer Qatar blast underscores challenges in race to restart Gulf energy flows The deadly explosion marks an early test of Gulf efforts to revive oil and gas production following a historic energy supply shock caused by the US-Israel-Iran war. Qatar
Explainer What’s the status of Strait of Hormuz after US-Iran talks? Oil tankers continued to transit the strait in both directions, but many turned off their transponders over the weekend after Iran's military declared Hormuz closed once again. Iran
Oil falls more than 3% after Iran, US signal progress in talks International benchmark Brent crude fell to $78.68 as of 7:06 a.m. EDT. Iran
3 Iranian tankers with 4.8M barrels of oil pass US blockade: What to know By Jared Szuba In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military
Exclusive US firm HKN Energy takes over 7 oil fields from Syria's Kurds By Amberin Zaman Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
Daewoo fulfills Iraq’s Faw Port despite obstacles Iraqi government voted for signing a contract with the Korean company Daewoo to finish Faw Port project. Iraq
Gulf oil exporters cautiously optimistic for 2021 A new COVID-19 strain and the possible return of Iranian crude to global markets could inflict “short-term pains” to Gulf oil producers whose local populations hold on to the oil era. Legacy: Gulf
UAE joins Egypt-led Eastern Med Gas Forum Abu Dhabi announced that it has joined the Eastern Mediterranean Gas Forum based in Cairo, as part of efforts to counter Turkey’s ambitions in the area. Egypt
Gulf oil producers scramble to catch up on renewables The coronavirus pandemic has pushed Gulf leaders to realize the region needs to accelerate its shift toward renewables; environmental activists accuse the Gulf states of double-talk. Legacy: Gulf
How realistic are Turkey’s ambitions over strategic corridor with Azerbaijan Turkey is pinning high economic hopes on a transport link that would connect it to Azerbaijan and beyond, but Russia and Iran have caveats and the viability of Turkey’s projects are open to question. Turkey
OPEC and Russia agree to boost production in 2021 The agreement follows recent increases in global oil prices. The COVID-19 pandemic has hurt oil markets and, subsequently, the economies of several Middle Eastern states. Originals
Islamic State claims sabotage attack on Egypt’s gas pipeline to Israel Egypt's military said it was a "limited explosion." Egypt
Erdogan's call for two-state solution in Cyprus dims hopes for Turkish 'reset' with West Speaking during a visit to Northern Cyprus, Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Turkey would continue drilling in contested waters around Cyprus and the Greek islands “until a fair settlement” was reached. Turkey
Israeli, Greek, Cypriot defense ministers meet, reinforce security ties Defense Minister Benny Gantz meets with his Greek and Cypriot counterparts to reinforce the countries’ security ties and strategic cooperation. Israel
Greece, Egypt expect Biden will be 'decisive' in Mediterranean dispute, Greek PM says Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis' comments came as Turkey announced it was extending exploratory work in the contested waters. Egypt
Russia, Iraq face OPEC+ cuts, look to new deals While Iraq's dependence on imported Iranian electricity continues to worry Washington, the key to breaking this energy dependence lies in the development of its own gas fields. Iraq
Saudi Aramco sees massive drop in third quarter profits The Saudi oil giant's slump is indicative of the crisis in Middle Eastern and global oil as the COVID-19 pandemic continues. Originals
