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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

Egypt market

As Ramadan arrives, inflation chokes Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia

In North African nations, higher food costs will make it harder to access supplies for the festive month.

A picture shows the headquarters of the Public Warehousing Co. (PWC), also known Agility, in Kuwait City on December 29, 2009. The leading Kuwaiti firm indicted for fraud in connection with multi-billion dollar contracts with the American army said on December 28 that it is in talks with US authorities for an out-of-court settlement. AFP PHOTO/YASSER AL-ZAYYAT (Photo credit should read YASSER AL-ZAYYAT/AFP via Getty Images)

Kuwait’s Agility awarded $1.65 billion in dispute with Iraq's Korek

The Kuwaiti logistics firm accused Korek, which is owned by Kurdish military commander Sirwan Barzani, of using corruption to expropriate its stake.

AHMAD GHARABLI/AFP via Getty Images

Gulf asks India to increase flights as GCC, Indian officials meet in Saudi

Emirates, Jazeera and Turkish Airlines want India to allow more flights, but Indian authorities told Reuters they have no plans to do so.

People pass in front of the shuttered door of a pharmacy during a nationwide strike of pharmacies to protest against a severe shortage of medicine, Tripoli, Lebanon, July 9, 2021.

Pharmacies in Lebanon shut, as bankrupt government plans airport expansion

Gas stations are also threatening to close as long as authorities continue to ignore the economic collapse, while protests resumed on Tuesday.

An undated image of an Infinity Power COP27 solar plant.

UAE-Egypt firm Infinity Power strikes Africa's 'biggest renewable energy deal'

Infinity Power says it plans to install and operate 2 gigawatts (GW) of greenfield projects by 2025 with this deal, powering projects in South Africa, Egypt and Senegal.

A picture taken in the Saudi Red Sea coastal city of Jeddah on July 14, 2022, ahead of a visit by the United States' president to the desert kingdom, shows hosts and journalists during a presentation on the Saudi Green Initiative, which also includes goals for tree-planting and reducing emissions. - (Photo by Amer HILABI / AFP) (Photo by AMER HILABI/AFP via Getty Images)

Saudi Arabia tech talent unlikely to meet industry needs by 2030

Saudi Arabia aims to be a tech hub by 2030, but regional competition over talent and investment will complicate their efforts. (Pro subscribers only)

Tamara Juburi

A Kuwaiti woman walks past a warning sign at a beach in Kuwait City, following an oil spill off the coast, Kuwait, Aug. 21, 2017.

Oil spill hits Kuwait but production unaffected

Oil production was unaffected but some people were injured, according to the state-owned oil firm.

Oil prices fall, Saudi National Bank loses $1 billion over Credit Suisse

The drop in oil prices followed more troubling global financial news as UBS bought out Credit Suisse.

Vehicles drive in Amman on February 22, 2023. (Photo by Khalil MAZRAAWI / AFP) (Photo by KHALIL MAZRAAWI/AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

Jordan economic rating shows upswing, but problems remain

Jordanians in the private sector are praising their government's ambitious economic strategies, but still see systemic inefficiencies as a barrier to making them a reality.

By Salim A. Essaid

Qatar's Emir and Paris Saint-Germain owner Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani (C) looks on during the UEFA Champions League round of 16 second-leg football match between Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Manchester United at the Parc des Princes stadium in Paris on March 6, 2019. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP) (Photo credit should read FRANCK FIFE/AFP via Getty Images)

Qatar's Manchester United takeover could monetize new Mideast fan base

A Qatari takeover of the English soccer club would “turbocharge” the global presence of the English Premier League, analysts told Al-Monitor

Iraq video games

With few job openings, Iraqi youth find work in creative ways

As Iraq’s economy struggles, Al-Monitor spoke to young Iraqis who are making money via video games, social media and other means.

Traders follow the movement of stock prices at the Kuwait Stock Exchange, Kuwait City, March 2, 2022.

Kuwait asks Asian refiners to take less oil as Al Zour refinery ramps up output

Kuwait Petroleum Corporation informed some buyers that Kuwait Export Blend crude supply could be reduced under new annual contracts as soon as April, according to Reuters.