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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

A Saudi Arabian Airlines Saudia plane is pictured on the tarmac of the Ataturk Airport on April 4, 2019, in Istanbul. - A transfer of Istanbul's Ataturk airport operations to its new international facility will begin at April 6 early morning. (Photo by OZAN KOSE / AFP) (Photo credit should read OZAN KOSE/AFP via Getty Images)

Soaring Competition: The Middle East’s aviation rebound takes off as Saudi Arabia challenges leading airlines

A return to profitability is in sight for the Middle East's aviation sector in 2023 as industry players begin to make up for years of lost growth.

A customer holds US dollar banknotes outside a currency changer on a street in Istanbul on September 6, 2022, as Turkey's economy is suffering its biggest economic crisis in decades ahead of one of the toughest elections of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's rule. - Turkey's official inflation rate barely changed on September 5, in a sign that a year-long crisis that has seen prices soar by 80 percent may finally be starting to ease. The TUIK state statistics agency said that consumer prices rose by 80.2 perc

Turkey's central bank keeps interest rate at 8.5%, citing inflation

The decision will be the bank’s final before Turkey’s crucial election in May.

Karen Young event

Should the US worry about China in the Gulf? Al-Monitor Pro webinar with Karen Young

Register to learn about the latest economic and political developments occurring within the Gulf as China's influence grows.

This picture taken on March 28, 2023 shows a vendor selling dates in the area of Multaqa in Sudan's Northern State, during the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan. - Muslims follow the tradition set by the prophet Mohammed whom believers say used to break his fast by eating dates and drinking goat's milk during the fasting month. The dawn-to-dusk fast is conceived as a spiritual struggle against the seduction of earthly pleasures, but the evening iftar festive meals traditionally bring families together du

Analysis

Conflict in Sudan, GCC's food basket, rattles Gulf investments

In addition to its natural resources and agricultural output, Sudan's geographic location also makes it critical to Gulf security.

By Salim A. Essaid

Cars drive on a road in the Algerian capital Algiers on February 1, 2017. / AFP / STRINGER (Photo credit should read STRINGER/AFP via Getty Images)

Algeria bets on Stellantis plant to relaunch country's automotive sector

Algeria's car production has taken a huge hit in recent years. Here's what it will take to get the automotive industry back on track.

Francisco Serrano

Francisco Serrano

In Lisbon, reporting on North Africa business

The Barbados-flagged ship"Nord Vind" coming from Ukraine loaded with grain is anchored for inspection in Istanbul, on Oct. 11, 2022.

Turkey imposes 130% tariff on grain imports

The move follows a tariff on electric vehicles and comes ahead of Turkey’s crucial elections.

A sign advertises the money transfer service Western Union on January 11, 2018 in Berlin, Germany. Much of the German financial services, consumer goods and foodstuffs economy is dominated by nationwide chains and brands. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images)

Western Union shuts services in Sudan's Khartoum 'until further notice'

The international money transfer service said its agents were unable to operate safely and securely in the restive country.

The Horn of Africa

The local government headquarters of Sudan's Red Sea State is pictured in Port Sudan on April 18, 2023. (Photo by AFP) (Photo by -/AFP via Getty Images)

Sudan conflict poses credit risk to economies in region: Moody’s

The credit agency warned that the fighting had shut down the Sudanese economy and could leave multilateral development banks exposed.

The Horn of Africa

An Iranian man works at an oil facility in the Khark Island, on the shore of the Gulf, on February 23, 2016. - Iran's Oil Minister Bijan Namdar Zanganeh dismissed an output freeze deal between the world's top two producers Saudi Arabia and Russia as "a joke", the ISNA news agency reported. (Photo by AFP) (Photo by STR/AFP via Getty Images)

Iran and GCC verge upon new era of oil ties

Bijan Khajehpour

Bijan Khajehpour

In Vienna, reporting on Iranian politics

A picture shows a view of the SEA EAGLE, a vessel that reportedly left Ukraine with a cargo of wheat, anchored in Port Sudan on the Red Sea coast, on Sept. 9, 2022.

What's at stake for China in Sudan as fighting drags on?

China’s economic interests, deep-rooted diplomatic relations with Khartoum, leaves Beijing worried about instability in Sudan and the Horn of Africa.

Cruise ship A Sara is moored on the Nile River, where 45 suspected COVID-19 cases were detected and evacuated two days prior, Luxor, Egypt, March 9, 2020.

Egypt charges tourist ships in dollars as greenback crisis spirals

Egypt commits tourist boats arriving in its ports to pay in US dollars amid a tough dollar shortage crisis in the populous country.

Ukraine and Iraq foreign ministers

Analysis

What role will Middle East play in Ukraine's post-war reconstruction?

Since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, there has been a raft of commitments from Western allies to help rebuild the war-torn state, but few from the Middle East.

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