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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

This photo taken on May 11, 2019, shows a Chinese employee holding a self-developed chip at an industrial park in Jinan in China's eastern Shandong province.

Abu Dhabi to cooperate with Chinese province on industry

China's Shandong province has signed an MOU with the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development.

Morocco refinery

Calls rise to reactivate Morocco’s only refinery as oil prices soar

Activists and opposition parties are calling for Morocco’s SAMIR oil plant to be brought back online after a seven-year hiatus to alleviate fossil fuel import pressure and enhance energy sovereignty.

A general view of Al-Reesa Seawater Desalination Plant in El-Arish city, in the northern Sinai Peninsula, Egypt, March 20, 2022.

Egypt expands water desalination projects as Nile dam talks hit new snag

The Egyptian government is seeking to expand seawater desalination projects in the upcoming period, especially in coastal and border cities, by establishing 14 new plants.

Cyprus' Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides (R) holds a joint press conference with his Saudi counterpart Prince Faisal bin Farhan al-Saud.

Saudi Arabia, Cyprus set up joint business council

Cyprus has important relationships with several Middle Eastern states, including Egypt.

A view of the platform of the Leviathan natural gas field in the Mediterranean Sea is pictured from the northern coastal city of Caesarea, Israel, Dec. 19, 2019.

Egypt's gas imports from Israel hit all-time high

Gas flows hit a new record in the first quarter of the year and peaked in March, when Cairo purchased above contractual volumes.

A man carries a bale of wheat during the harvest in the village of Bamha near al-Ayyat in Egypt.

Egypt asks World Bank for $500 million to buy wheat

Egypt is asking the World Bank for $500 million to cover its wheat needs in light of the ongoing war in Ukraine.

Emiratis walk in Masdar City, on the outskirts of the rich Emirate of Abu Dhabi, on October 7, 2015.

UAE continues renewable energy push with Azerbaijan deal

The two countries will work to develop power from wind, solar and green hydrogen sources.

Cryptocurrency

Dubai charity to accept donations in cryptocurrency

The crypto scene is rapidly expanding in the United Arab Emirates.

Israel's Foreign Minister Yair Lapid (2nd L) and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken (2nd R) chat with Bahrain's Foreign Minister Abdullatif bin Rashid al-Zayani (R) and Emirati Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan (L), in Sde Boker, Israel, March 28, 2022.

With free trade agreement, Israel hopes to triple trade with Emirates

Israel and the United Arab Emirates already established a large scope of bilateral trade, but officials and businesspeople on both sides are persuaded that this is only the beginning.

A general view shows office buildings at al-Raidah Digital City of the Saudi capital Riaydh on Feb. 28, 2022.

Israelis begin doing deals in Saudi Arabia

Following a change in Saudi Arabia’s entry requirements, dozens of Israeli businesspeople arrived recently to Riyadh and even closed deals there.

A Sudanese woman and a boy gather threshed wheat stalks at the Zam Zam camp for Internally Displaced People (IDP), North Darfur, on April 9, 2015.

Can Sudan replace Ukraine as breadbasket for MENA region?

Despite Sudan’s agricultural and animal resources, political instability is hindering the country's potential to benefit itself and the region.

Jordan energy

UAE, Egypt, Jordan agree to $10 billion investment partnership

The Abu Dhabi investment firm ADQ will manage the funds, which will focus on food security and industrial integration in the region.