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Economy & Business

Indian vessel 'Nanda Devi' carrying liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) arrives at Vadinar Port in the Jamnagar district of Gujarat state on March 17, 2026 after Iran allowed it to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, a key energy corridor that remains disrupted by the Middle East war.

Iran’s Hormuz choke hold leaves West divided as energy markets reel

Between March 1 and March 19, there were only 114 crossings of the strait, according to analytics firm Kpler — 95% less than prewar traffic.

Excess gas is burned at the oil refinery in Israel's northern city of Haifa late on March 19, 2026.

Analysis

Iran expands energy targets beyond Gulf as Red Sea and East Med come into play

In retaliation for strikes on its energy sector, Tehran's campaign against regional oil and gas infrastructure has intensified and broadened to include Saudi Arabia's Yanbu port and an Israeli refinery in Haifa.

Samuel Wendel

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent arrives to attend an event in the East Room of the White House, Washington, DC, March 5, 2026.

US weighs easing Iran oil sanctions amid Hormuz crisis: What to know

A possible move by the Treasury would reduce pressure on Iranian crude as Washington seeks to offset supply losses tied to Iran's virtual closure of the strait.

A picture of Qatar Energy's operating facilities on March 3, 2026 in Ras Laffan Industrial City, Qatar.

Analysis

How Iran's strike on Qatar gas field could impact LNG market for years

Damage from an Iranian strike on the world's largest LNG export hub could take significant supply offline for years as Qatar considers whether to declare force majeure on long-term contracts supplying Europe and Asia.

Samuel Wendel

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

Latest News

After 35% surge, how far could Gulf disruptions push European gas?

In this aerial view, Storage tanks at Grain LNG importation terminal, operated by National Grid Plc sit near the River Medway in the Thames Estuary on March 12, 2026, in Isle of Grain, England.

UAE steps in to support banks as war pressure builds: What to know

AFP via Getty Images

United Arab Emirates

Analysis

Iran war tests Gulf dealmaking as foreign investors assess risks

The city skyline is pictued in Dubai on March 11, 2026. The oil-rich Gulf has borne the brunt of Iran's attacks in response to US-Israeli strikes that sparked the Middle East war, with Tehran targeting US assets but also civilian infrastructure. (Photo by Giuseppe CACACE / AFP via Getty Images)

Samuel Wendel

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

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

Saudi Arabia's Minister of Energy Abdulaziz bin Salman looks on during a press conference after the 45th Joint Ministerial Monitoring Committee and the 33rd OPEC and non-OPEC Ministerial Meeting in Vienna, Austria, on October 5, 2022. (Photo by VLADIMIR SIMICEK/AFP via Getty Images)

OPEC+ likely to maintain oil output at meeting, in gesture to US

While the OPEC+ group is expected to maintain oil production at its virtual meeting set for Feb. 1, global demand for oil is estimated to reach a record high in 2023.

Delegations attend the 46th ordinary session of the Council of Arab Central Banks and Monetary Authorities Governors, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Sept. 18, 2022.

Saudi GDP grows 8.7% in 2022 due to oil, non-oil growth

One credit-rating agency said Saudi Arabia’s GDP growth will slow down in 2023.

A picture take on Sept. 14, 2017 shows an Airbus A380 of Emirates landing at the tarmac at Dubai's International Airport.

Analysis

Gulf logistics ambitions skirt net-zero carbon emissions goals

The Gulf states are expanding their transportation networks and logistics hubs, which would seem to threaten their stated goals reducing carbon emissions.

Sebastian Castelier

By Sebastian Castelier

In Dubai, reporting on regional business

Stock market brokers work at the Egyptian Stock Market in the capital Cairo on January 6, 2013. A top International Monetary Fund official will visit Egypt on January 7, for talks likely to focus on the $4.8 billion loan agreement frozen last month because of political unrest in the country. AFP PHOTO / KHALED DESOUKI (Photo credit should read KHALED DESOUKI/AFP via Getty Images)

Pound devaluation, IMF deal send Egypt’s stock market soaring

PRO: Egypt's stock market has started 2023 as one of the world’s best-performing exchanges. Here's what it will take to maintain that momentum.

Marc Español

ANWAR AMRO/AFP via Getty Images

Qatar's energy giant cements Lebanon deal, substituting Russia

The Qatari firm officially took over the stake previously held by a Russian company.

KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV/AFP via Getty Images

Iran, Russia sign bank messaging agreement to override SWIFT

Both countries are banned from the SWIFT financial messaging system due to US and European sanctions.

People walk past a fruit seller's stall in the Azhar district of Cairo

In Egypt, economic heat of Russia's war in Ukraine is only getting worse

Average Egyptians told Al-Monitor that everything from the price of tomatoes to bread is taking a toll on daily life and household decisions as country's economy reels under the heavy toll of the war in Ukraine.

Riyadh, SAUDI ARABIA: A Saudi banker displays the new one hundred riyal banknote bearing the portrait of Saudi King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz al-Saud at a bank in Riyadh, 05 June 2007. The banknotes featuring the king are the fifth issue released by the Saudi Arabian Monetary Agency (SAMA). AFP PHOTO/HASSAN AMMAR (Photo credit should read HASSAN AMMAR/AFP via Getty Images)

Gulf governments enjoy fiscal flexibility; must spend wisely over coming years

Pro: With lower energy prices forecasted in the short-term, GCC governments will have to spend smartly to ensure momentum continues for their economic diversification efforts.

Robert Mogielnicki

Robert Mogielnicki

SAJJAD HUSSAIN/AFP via Getty Images

Egypt's Sisi meets Modi, inks 'strategic partnership' on landmark India visit

The trip could lead to greater cooperation between India and Egypt on trade, the Suez Canal, green hydrogen and more.

The Ritz hotel is pictured in central London on May 18, 2020.

Saudi Arabia leads Middle East's luxury property buyers in London

The Middle East made up some of the top buyers of London luxury real estate in late 2022, only falling behind European and UK buyers.

By Salim A. Essaid

Tamim bin Hamad al Thani, Emir of Qatar, departs after meeting with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz at the Chancellery on May 20, 2022 in Berlin, Germany. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images)

Qatar's energy giant joins Lebanon gas exploration group

France’s TotalEnergies, which is also part of the consortium, said they hope to start drilling in Lebanese waters for oil and gas in 2023.

A Tunisian farmer harvests wheat on June 26, 2008 in the Mateur area near the northern Tunisian city of Bizerte. A two-day conference organized by the African Development Bank (BAD) opened on June 25, 2008 in Tunis to boost agriculture in light of the food crisis hitting Africa. Experts are to evaluate and analyze difficulties affecting the African agricultural sector in order to be more reactive to needs. AFP PHOTO FETHI BELAID (Photo credit should read FETHI BELAID/AFP via Getty Images)

Tunisia’s food crisis will worsen without an IMF deal

Francisco Serrano

Francisco Serrano

In Lisbon, reporting on North Africa business