Economy & Business - AL-MONITOR: The Middle Eastʼs leading independent news source since 2012

Business and Economy Cover Image

Economy & Business

Khor Fakkan Container Terminal

Analysis

UAE-Iran trade relationship becomes key test of Trump’s wartime strategy

The Gulf state suspended trade with Iran after new attacks in August. Experts point to risks for both sides as the Trump administration seeks to squeeze Tehran economically.

Samuel Wendel

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

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."

Latest News

Explainer

Iraq seeks special Hormuz access from Iran in scramble to keep oil flowing

AHMAD AL-RUBAYE / AFP via Getty Images

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

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 flame from a Saudi Aramco oil installation known as Pump 3 is seen in the desert near the oil-rich area of Khouris, 160 kilometers east of Riyadh, on June 23, 2008.

Oil prices fall to another low

Saudi Arabia has benefited from high oil prices this year, though prices appear to be falling somewhat on the back of production increases.

A sculpture of an Israeli soldier standing guard is seen next to a sign for tourists showing the distance to Damascus and Baghdad.

Syria, Iraq form joint business council

Relations between Syria and Iraq were poor in the 20th century but have gradually improved in the security and economic spheres in recent years.

Jordan tourism

Jordan’s tourism revenue triples

The increase follows Syrians being able to travel easily to Jordan again.

BAY ISMOYO/AFP via Getty Images

Israeli delegation pays rare visit to Indonesia

While Jakarta is reluctant to advance diplomatic ties with Jerusalem, there is room to expand trade and economic relations.

Drew Angerer/Getty Images

Saudi Public Investment Fund acquires shares in Amazon, Google, Uber

The sovereign wealth fund led by the crown prince has shown a strong interest in technology such as video games.

Press conference after meeting in the western Cypriot city of Paphos, on April 16, 2021.

Emirates launches codeshare deal with Aegean as UAE-Greece ties continue to strengthen

The United Arab Emirates and Greece have signed a variety of political, defense and economic agreements in recent years.

United Arab Emirates

A man walks past a currency exchange office on May 05, 2022, in Istanbul, Turkey.

Money inflows of unknown origin headed for record in Turkey

As Turkey’s current account deficit continues to widen in the coming months, foreign currency inflows of unknown origin might end up covering more than 70% of the gap.

YASIN AKGUL/AFP via Getty Images

Tracker: ships carry grain from Ukraine to Middle East

Ships have left Ukraine for Turkey, Iran and elsewhere since the agreement between Ukraine and Russia on safe passage through the Black Sea.

JOHN THYS/AFP via Getty Images

Shipping giant Maersk to invest $500 million in Suez Canal

The investment comes as the canal strives to go green following record-setting revenues.

Egyptian Minister of Foreign Affairs and upcoming Chairman of the COP27 Sameh Shoukry is seen at a press conference after the May Ministerial - World Climate Leaders Meeting, Copenhagen, Denmark, May 13, 2022.

Egypt to mobilize investments for climate projects ahead of COP27

The first regional forum organized by the Egyptian presidency of the UNFCCC COP27, among five forums aimed at encouraging investment in climate action, kicked off in Addis Ababa Aug. 2.

Syrian laborers work at a clothing workshop in Damascus on Feb. 2, 2016.

Syria and North Korea discuss repairing Syrian engineering and industrial sectors

Syrian industry has experienced substantial losses as a result of the war between government and rebel forces.

This picture taken on Jan. 13, 2022, shows a view of the Shubra al-Kheima natural gas electrical power station.

Saudi Arabia secures funding for electricity interconnection with Egypt

Egypt just approved a plan to ration electricity, though the government said there is not a shortage of power.