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Economy & Business

Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian holds a press conference on Aug. 19, 2026.

China slams Trump over economic war on Iran: What to know

China’s once significant oil imports from Iran have been impacted by the war in the region and increasing US sanctions.

Iranians drive past an anti-US billboard at Enghelab Square in central Tehran, Aug. 3, 2026.

Trump’s Iran ‘economic D-Day’ threat sends oil prices above $94

In a Truth Social post, the president threatened that any country that provides a financial lifeline to Iran will face "tremendous economic consequences."

AHMAD AL-RUBAYE / AFP via Getty Images

Explainer

Iraq seeks special Hormuz access from Iran in scramble to keep oil flowing

As Iran's parliament speaker holds talks in Baghdad, Iraq has asked Tehran for special consideration for its oil exports.

Latest News

Turkey looks to expand Syria energy footprint into oil, gas

President Ahmad al-Sharaa meets Turkish Energy and Natural Resources Minister Alparslan Bayraktar at the People’s Palace in Damascus, Syria, on Aug. 19, 2026.

Oil nears $92 on UAE missile alert as Trump claims Iran talks stuck

Leon Neal/Getty Images

United Arab Emirates

Explainer

What US sanctions on Syria remain as Shibani, Barrack hold talks?

RAMI AL SAYED/AFP via Getty Images

UAE billionaire Habtoor takes aim at Ben Gvir’s Gaza rhetoric

A picture take on Sept. 13, 2017, shows Khalaf Ahmad Al Habtoor, chairman of the Al Habtoor Group, attending the World Premiere of La Perle in Dubai.

United Arab Emirates

Samuel Wendel

Senior Market Research Analyst

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

Adam Lucente

News and Business Correspondent

In New York City, reporting on regional news, militancy, climate change

Jack Dutton

Chief Business Correspondent

In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech

Sabena Siddiqui

In Karachi, reporting on South Asia, Middle East, Iran

Vanessa Ghanem

In Dubai, reporting on business, energy and politics

Francisco Serrano

In Lisbon, reporting on North Africa business

Iranian embassy

Analysis

Saudi-Iran detente offers dubious economic benefits, say analysts

Saudi Investment Minister Khalid al-Fatih spoke brightly this week about the economic potential of the China-brokered agreement, but experts who spoke to Al-Monitor are more skeptical.

In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech

Dubai economy

Oil leaves invisible footprint on Gulf's non-oil economies

Touted progress in diversifying Gulf economies beyond the fossil fuel rent comes with a caveat. Oil and gas revenues indirectly propel large chunks of the non-oil economy through public expenditures such as wages, subsidies and infrastructure spending.

Visitors view a TAI/AgustaWestland T129 ATAK attack helicopter on display at the Turkish Aerospace stand during the Naval Defence and Maritime Security Exhibition (NAVDEX), part of the wider International Defence Exhibtion (IDEX) at the Abu Dhabi International Exhibition Centre on February 20, 2023. (Photo by Ryan LIM / AFP) (Photo by RYAN LIM/AFP via Getty Images)

Economic arsenals: the Middle East’s rise as a global defense industry hub

The Mideast's defense market is evolving, motivated by a desire to secure greater self-sufficiency and national sovereignty.

Dubai free trade zone

Dubai free zone reports 24% increase in Chinese companies

The Dubai Multi Commodities Center has more than 770 Chinese companies in its free trade zone.

United Arab Emirates

Justin Rose of England and his caddy look on.

US Justice Department investigating Saudi LIV Golf-PGA Tour merger: reports

The revelation follows action taken by some members of Congress in response to the Saudi sovereign wealth fund-backed golf league’s deal with the US-based PGA Tour.

A general view of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia pavilion at COP26 on Nov. 10, 2021, in Glasgow, Scotland.

Analysis

Saudi Arabia's carbon credit exchange: climate action or greenwashing?

Sixteen firms, including Aramco, Saudi Airlines, Saudi Electricity Company and NEOM subsidiary ENOWA, bought more than 2.2 million tons of carbon credits in Nairobi on Wednesday.

By Salim A. Essaid

KHALED DESOUKI/AFP via Getty Images

Egypt remittances plunge amid economic uncertainty

Money transfers through official channels by Egyptians working abroad plummeted by 23% during the second half of 2022, reaching the lowest level since the 2016 crisis.

A worker is seen at the Kuwait Global Steel Services factory in Kuwait City on December 5, 2018. (Photo by Yasser Al-Zayyat / AFP) (Photo credit should read YASSER AL-ZAYYAT/AFP via Getty Images)

Gulf industrialization potential gains traction

The global push to decarbonize supply chains and the rise of a multipolar world is an opportunity for the Gulf to emerge as an energy-rich industrial hub equidistant from Asia, Africa and Europe.

Sebastian Castelier

Sebastian Castelier

In Dubai, reporting on regional business

View of the cottage village in the suburbs of Alanya, also known as the Turkish Riviera.

Russia, Iran, Ukraine nationals top Turkey's real estate market for foreigners

Official data shows the number of foreign real-estate buyers has increased in May from the previous month.

Uber

Uber to exit Israel as market share disappoints

In Israel, Uber is trailing behind Israeli-founded Gett and Russian-owned company Yango when it comes to taxi and private vehicle hire.

Emmanuel Macron Mohammed bin Salman

Saudi Arabia's MBS heads to France to meet Macron, attend business summits

The two leaders will meet Friday and discuss bilateral relations as well as Middle Eastern and international issues including the war in Ukraine.

Cars drive along a street in front of high-rise buildings in Dubai on Feb. 18, 2023.

UAE ranked first globally in attracting new millionaires in 2022

The UAE had the highest net inflow of millionaires in the world in 2022, while China had the highest net outflow, followed by India and the United Kingdom.

United Arab Emirates