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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

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.

Syria gas

Egypt ready to export gas to Lebanon once US grants waiver

Egypt plans to export the agreed-upon 650 million cubic meters of natural gas annually in order to alleviate Lebanon's energy shortage.

Algeria's President Abdelmadjid Tebboune speaks.

Algeria to maintain gas supplies to Spain despite dispute

Algeria's announcement concerning the immediate suspension of the treaty of friendship and good neighborliness concluded with Spain in October 2002, after Madrid’s radical change of position on the Western Sahara issue on March 18, will not have negative consequences on gas contracts signed by the two countries.

Israeli and Egyptian flags are seen at the Nitzana border crossing along the southern Israeli border with Egypt near the Israeli village of Nitzanei Sinai, Aug. 20, 2013.

Egyptian trade delegation visits Israel for first time in decade

Economic ties between Egypt and Israel seem to be on the right path amid growing cooperation in various fields.

A picture taken on Sept. 25, 2011, shows a worker loading palm oil fruits onto a lorry at a plantation in Bintulu Sarawak.

Egypt turns to Malaysia, Indonesia for vegetable oil amid food export bans

Amid a severe shortage and soaring local prices, Egypt is exerting efforts to resume imports of vegetable oil from Indonesia and Malaysia.

Palestinian bread baker

World Bank official: Lebanon, Yemen, Syria most food-insecure in region

Many states across the Middle East and North Africa meet the criteria for food insecurity, experts said at a US Institute of Peace event.

Egyptian farmers harvest wheat in Bamha village.

World Bank approves $500 million loan to Egypt for food security

Egypt, like other countries in the region, is contending with food security and price increases related to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

A man looks on near the stand of US multinational technology conglomerate Meta.

Qatar partners with Meta on digital economy

Gulf states are working to increase the size of their digital economies.

An aerial view taken on Oct. 2, 2021, shows people swimming and paddling off the coast of the northern Lebanese city of Batroun.

Outrageous prices keep Lebanese from swimming

Many Lebanese have been complaining about high entrance fees to swimming pools and water resorts amid low salaries due to the local currency depreciation.