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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

An employee packs bread at a bakery on March 23, 2022, in Istanbul, Turkey.

Turkey says no evidence Ukrainian grains stolen by Russia reached its shores

Turkey is being lobbied by the UK to discuss the safe shipping of Ukrainian grain due to looming global shortages but denies any has reached its ports.

A visitor walks past a Dubai billboard at the Arabian Travel market exibition in the Gulf emirate, May 17, 2021.

Tourism to Dubai up nearly 200% this year

The Expo 2020 Dubai provided a big boost as the Emirati city continues to bounce back from the coronavirus pandemic.

Egypt's President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi (L) and Russia's President Vladimir Putin (R).

Egypt participates in Russian economic forum

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi delivered a virtual speech at the opening session, stressing the need to find "effective solutions" to the global economic crisis.

Palestine technology

Palestinians call out PayPal for discrimination

PayPal's refusal to offer services in Palestine is impeding the region's economic growth and preventing many freelance knowledge workers from receiving digital payments.

A picture taken on Sept. 29, 2021, shows Russian tourists in the Egyptian Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh.

Egypt looks for upsurge in tourists from sanctions-hit Russia

Cairo and Moscow are holding talks to allow the Russian payment system MIR in Red Sea resorts.

This picture taken on Feb. 22, 2021, shows a view of vehicles in the Sayeda Aisha district of Egypt's capital, Cairo.

Egypt’s car industry suffers under dollar crisis

Car prices experienced a steep spike in Egypt over the past months as the dollar rose against the Egyptian pound and import restrictions were imposed amidst a decline in supply and a redirection of Egypt’s market shares to other countries.

Egypt's President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi (R) stands with Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi (L).

Egypt, Congo boost ties with electricity deal

Egypt and the Democratic Republic of the Congo agreed to partner in the field of electricity as part of Egypt’s plan to boost its presence in the African continent amid the stalled talks on the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam crisis.

Turkey economy

Currency shocks, wild inflation mark Erdogan’s time as executive president

Turkey’s currency has lost 73% of its value against the dollar since Erdogan assumed sweeping executive powers in 2018 and remains prone to fresh shocks amid growing economic fragilities.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen (4th-R) poses for a group photo with the EU Commissioner for Energy Kadri Simson (6th-R), Egypt's Minister of Petroleum Tarek el-Mulla (5th-R), Israeli Minister of Energy Karine Elharrar (3rd-R) and other officials during the signing ceremony of a trilateral natural gas deal during the ministerial meeting of the East Mediterranean Gas Forum, Cairo, Egypt, June 15, 2022.

Egypt looks for boost from gas deal with Israel, EU

The EU, Egypt and Israel signed an agreement for the export of natural gas to Europe, which would reduce the latter’s dependence on Russian gas.

Saudi Minister of Energy, Industrial and Mineral Resources, Khaled al-Falih.

Saudi Arabia’s ACWA Power to develop wind project in Egypt

Wind power is slowly growing in the Middle East and North Africa, including in the oil-rich Gulf.

Jordan's King Abdullah II (L) and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

Saudi Arabia, Jordan strengthen ties with energy, mining deals

Saudi Arabia is now a major investor in Jordan.

Saudi King Salman bin Abdul-Aziz Al Saud (C) and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (R) are seen receiving Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, March 8, 2022.

Egypt, Saudi Arabia sign agreements on green hydrogen, infrastructure

The deals came during Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s visit to Egypt.