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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

MOHAMMED ABED/AFP via Getty Images

Egypt’s non-oil private sector records two years of contraction

The last time the Purchasing Managers Index, which offers insight into the private sector, recorded expansion in Egypt's economy was back in November 2020.

US investment Middle East

How the US invests in the Middle East

In our latest PRO Trend Report, we take a deep-dive into American investment in the region and opportunities to expand it.

The German Navy corvette FGS Erfurt (F262) patrols as part of the United Nations peacekeeping force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) off Lebanon's southern town of Naqura close to the border with Israel on October 27, 2022 (Photo by MAHMOUD ZAYYAT/AFP via Getty Images)

TotalEnergies proceeds with gas exploration plans in Lebanon

Lebanon has been eagerly working with the French energy giant since reaching a historic maritime border agreement with Israel in October.

A general view dated 01 June 2004 of an oil installation in Saudi Arabia's northeastern Gulf port of Jubail. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) will increase oil output this month by 400,000 barrels per day (bpd) over its OPEC quota to help ease record prices, Oil Minister Obeid bin Saif al-Nassiri announced 02 June 2004. Nassiri spoke before departing for Beirut where the oil cartel holds a formal meeting tomorrow. Crude oil futures in New York surged 01 June to a record closing price of 42.33 dollars a barrel

Luberef, Aramco set tone for hot 2023 IPO listings in Gulf

Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

FAYEZ NURELDINE/AFP via Getty Images

Saudi GDP growth continues on back of high oil prices

Saudi Arabia’s non-oil economy is also growing, boding well for its ambitious economic diversification projects.

Aramco stock

Saudi Arabia bucks global slump in IPOs

Despite a slowdown in IPOs in developed markets like the United States and Europe, due to the global economic downturn and stock market volatility, the MENA region and in particular Saudi Arabia are thriving.

A Lebanese national flag flies at half-mast in tribute to victims of a massive explosion in Beirut at the Lebanese embassy in Moscow, Russia, Aug. 5, 2020.

Lebanese expatriates face high passport fees

Many Lebanese expatriates abroad complain about the high fees of renewing passports.

Tamar drilling natural gas production platform is seen some 25 kilometers west of the Ashkelon shore in February 2013 in Israel.

Israeli gas sector strengthens with Chevron, Morocco deals

Israel is already exporting gas to Egypt and Jordan and is now eyeing greater energy ties with Morocco following the Abraham Accords.

A trailer truck filled with sand waits near a dock at the construction site of new residential towers on the Nile island of Warraq in Giza province, opposite the northern shore of Cairo, the slums of which are planned for development by the Egyptian government, Egypt, Aug. 31, 2022.

Egypt embarks on new plans to develop river transport on Nile River

Cairo has recently passed legal reforms to reorganize the river sector, which still remains marginal, in hopes this will catalyze much-needed private investments

ANDREA VERDELLI/AFP via Getty Images

China, Egypt establish civil body to promote mutual investments

The new Egyptian-Chinese Entrepreneurs Association will foster the growing economic relations between Cairo and Beijing as China intensifies its political activities with Washington’s allies in the Middle East.

US investment Middle East

How America invests in the Middle East

A man walks past OPEC headquarters on the eve of the 45th Meeting of the Joint Ministerial Monitoring Committee and the 33rd OPEC and non-OPEC Ministerial Meeting held Oct. 5, 2022, in Vienna, Austria.

Oil prices fall to lowest since January despite Saudi-backed production cut

The price decrease could be worrisome for Saudi Arabia and its investment plans.