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Economy & Business

A general view of Navigator Terminals, an oil storage depot along the River Thames, London, March 10, 2026.

Oil plunges 9% after Trump extends Iran ultimatum

In a Truth Social post, US President Trump said that Washington and Tehran “have had, over the last two days, very good and productive conversations regarding a complete and total resolution of our hostilities in the Middle East.”

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.

Latest News

Analysis

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

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

Samuel Wendel

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

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

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

Gaza food

Price hikes worsen food insecurity in Palestine

Thousands of Palestinian families are facing the threat of food insecurity, as a result of the significant rise in the prices of basic commodities, while officials fail to address the issue.

Syria Turkey

Syrians adapt to tumultuous Turkish environment

In the decade-old Turkish diaspora, thousands of Syrians have started businesses that fill niches in Turkey and open up new export markets — but economic and political challenges are rising.

Obsolete Turkish lira banknotes are seen in the window of an exchange office on May 05, 2022, in Istanbul, Turkey.

Turkey’s runaway inflation soars to near 79%

The Turkish government’s continued failure to stabilize the battered lira raises the prospect of inflation topping 100% in the fall.

Saudi women wait in line in the "women's section" of a fast food restaurant in Faysalia mall, Riyadh City, Saudi Arabia, Sept. 26, 2011.

Saudi fast food giant ready to challenge KFC in Egyptian market

The introduction of Saudi fast food chain Albaik to Egypt is part of the $7.7 billion investment package announced during the recent visit of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to Cairo.

ANWAR AMRO/AFP via Getty Images

Expats to bring Lebanon relief in summer wave

Lebanon expects more than 18,000 visitors during the first part of the summer season as tourism shows signs of rebounding.

Sweet potatoes

Sweet potatoes revive Egypt's dream of reducing wheat imports

Expecting Ukraine war-induced wheat supply problems, Egypt is experimenting with using sweet potatoes in bread, amid hopes that the new measure will significantly reduce wheat imports.

egypt fintech

Egypt’s growing fintech ecosystem transforms country’s finances

A population of over 100 million, young, largely unbanked, with a high penetration of internet and mobile subscriptions paves the way for innovation in Egypt's fintech sector.

India port

Dubai’s DP World logistics firm strengthens connections with India

The UAE and India also signed a trade agreement recently, and appear to have moved past the controversy surrounding an Indian politician's criticism of Islam.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan attend a welcome ceremony at Al-Watan presidential palace, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Nov. 14, 2019.

Abu Dhabi port operator acquires stake in Egyptian shipping firms

Gulf countries are interested in buying Egyptian assets as the country’s economy falters.

An employee walks on the Expedient regasification ship, anchored off the coast of Israel in the Mediterranean Sea on February 26, 2015, as natural gas began flowing from the vessel, hired by the Israel Electric Corporation, to its power stations. The ship, anchored about ten kilometres from the Hadera coast, was connected the previous week to the marine buoy and as of February 25, natural gas has begun flowing from the LNG (liquid natural gas) ship through an underwater pipeline directly to the company's po

New opportunities in gas production to define future of Middle East energy giants

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional energy

An aerial view of Khalifa Port is seen in Abu Dhabi April 10, 2014. State-owned Abu Dhabi Ports Co (ADPC) expects a surge in shipping traffic towards the end of this year as work on major infrastructure projects in the United Arab Emirates capital gathers pace, the company's chief executive said. Khalifa Port, built on a man-made island roughly half-way between Abu Dhabi and Dubai, came on stream in 2012 after Zayed Port, which had been serving Abu Dhabi for over 40 years, reached full capacity. Picture tak

Middle East container ports expand growth, investment opportunities

Afshin Molavi

A general view taken on May 29, 2019, shows the seafront promenade in the Emirati capital, Abu Dhabi, with the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company headquarters (C).

Abu Dhabi National Oil Company sends ammonia to Japan

The UAE is making a push to boost its green technology sector and reduce dependence on oil.