Explainer After UAE and Qatar, could Iraq be next to leave OPEC? Iraq is seeking a higher production quota as the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz has slashed oil revenues and plunged the country into a fiscal crisis. Iraq
Explainer Syria’s energy push could soon get a major boost from Chevron: What to know The country's leaders are seeking to translate a flurry of oil and gas agreements into concrete investments and rebuild an industry devastated by more than a decade of war, sanctions and isolation. Syria
Oil falls below $74 as Hormuz traffic recovers after Iran war Brent crude, the international benchmark for oil prices, was trading at $73.81 a barrel at 10:40 a.m. EDT, down 4.2% from Tuesday's close. Iran
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
Kurdish leaders support Iraq's embattled prime minister The Iraqi Kurdistan government is trying to calm protesters' demands for the central government's prime minister to be removed. Iraq
What did Lavrov discuss in Baghdad and Erbil? Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov visited Iraq to discuss a broad range of issues, with economy and security dominating the agenda. Iraq
Chinese energy giant bids farewell to $5 billion Iran project In what could be seen as yet another blow to Iran's sanctions-hit economy, China's state oil company has withdrawn from a major multibillion-dollar deal in the country's south. United States
Iraq, China launch 'oil for reconstruction' agreement Baghdad has forged a 20-year deal to supply Beijing with oil in exchange for Chinese investments in projects to repair Iraq's war-damaged infrastructure. Iraq
Baghdad sends delegation to Erbil to resolve disputes Baghdad sent a delegation, headed by President Barham Salih, to the Iraqi Kurdistan region to discuss the budget, oil and other contentious issues. Iraq
Palestinians hope to import Iraqi oil, become more energy independent Palestinians are inching closer to the possibility of being able to import Iraqi oil to Jordan and have the Jordan refinery convert it to local products that can pass Israeli inspection. Palestine
Does Russia benefit from attack on Saudi oil facility? The attacks on Saudi oil production facilities may bring Russia some short-term benefits, but the picture becomes more complicated in the long run. Legacy: Gulf
Trump faces skepticism from allies amid troop deployment The Donald Trump administration will deploy a fresh detachment of US troops to Saudi Arabia after blaming Iran for an attack against a major oil production facility just days ago. Saudi Arabia
Israel to start exporting natural gas to Egypt as last obstacle is removed An agreement was recently signed allowing the Egyptian Eastern Mediterranean Gas company to use the Eurasia-Israel pipeline, which would allow the resumption of natural gas exports to Egypt. Egypt
Iran denies involvement in Saudi attacks Iranian analysts believe the United States and Iran are not headed toward conflict after the attacks on Saudi Arabian oil facilities. Saudi Arabia
Intel: Why Russia boosts Iran even as Tehran pares nuclear deal commitments Despite their differences on Syria, Russia needs a stronger Iran as its partner. Russia
Will rancor or realism prevail in Turkish-Israeli ties? While there continues to be a large political gap between Turkey and Israel, economic ties continue to be strong despite the lack of a gas pipeline deal. Israel
