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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

Israel economy

Israel interest rates to continue upward trend

Battling growing inflation, the Bank of Israel has significantly raised the country’s interest rates twice in recent weeks.

A Palestinian farmer carries boxed strawberries as they are harvested for home consumption and export in Beit Lahia, Gaza Strip, Dec. 10, 2013.

Hamas imposes new taxes on products imported from West Bank

Hamas' Ministry of Finance in the Gaza Strip is imposing a new tax on imported West Bank products, which will add to the hike in prices amid a devastated economy due to the Israeli siege and repeated Israeli wars.

A man walks outside a vegetable and fruit seller's shop in Libya's eastern town of Shahat, in the Jabal al-Akhdar (Green Mountain) region, on Feb. 10, 2022.

Libya grapples with mounting food costs, diminishing oil revenues

Breaking Chains with Blockchain

NFTs get Egyptian women out of debtor's prison

An organization that offers help to poor Egyptian women persecuted by the law has partnered with a creative collective in Dubai to raise donations and awareness, especially outside the country, using non-fungible tokens.

This picture taken on on Feb. 1, 2021 shows a view of the downtown Dubai skyline, with Burj Khalifa, as seen from the Dubai Frame vantage point.

Israel-UAE economic relations grow further with free trade agreement

A variety of economic, cultural and energy-related deals preceded the free trade agreement signed in Dubai today.

Workers on bikes deliver Egyptian traditional Baladi bread.

How interest rate hikes affect Egypt’s economy

The central bank may raise rates further by 100 to 200 basis points in 2022 to be in line with tightening global monetary policies. Yields on T-bills are set to rise.

Egyptian men work in a bakery at a market in Cairo, Egypt, March 17, 2022.

Egypt to receive wheat shipments from Ukraine by rail from Poland

Cairo agreed with Kyiv on four wheat cargoes, which will reach Egypt by rail to Poland, raising hopes of restoring food security.

Barham Salih, prime minister of the Iraqi Kurdistan Region Government, speaks during a conference of Kurdistan-Iraq Oil and Gas forum, Erbil, Iraqi Kurdistan, Nov. 13, 2011.

Dispute over Iraqi Kurdistan's energy resources ramps up

The Iraqi Ministry of Oil has announced plans to establish a new oil company for the Kurdistan Region.

An Emirati female trader watches a quotation board from a computer screen at the Abu Dhabi stock exchange, June 7, 2006.

Abu Dhabi special acquisition firm begins trading on stock exchange

The ADC Acquisition Corporation is listed on the Abu Dhabi stock exchange to raise funds for the Emirati sovereign wealth fund ADQ and Abu Dhabi's Chimera Investment.

The Israeli Firkat Alnoor orchestra at the Israeli Embassy in Cairo, Egypt, May 21, 2022.

Israel seeks to double trade with Egypt

The visit to Egypt of the Israeli Firqat Alnoor Orchestra reflects a clear trend in the past year and a half of cultural, environmental and economic ties warming up between the two countries.

An Egyptian laborer is pictured at Al-Reesa seawater desalination plant in el-Arish city, in the northern Sinai Peninsula, March 20, 2022.

Egypt grants new incentives to foreign investors

The Egyptian government announced the granting of a special license to foreign investments in three specific fields, which expedites procedures to implement projects, as part of efforts to revive the ailing economy in the country.

STEVE PARSONS/AFP via Getty Images

Qataris to receive visa-free access to UK, invest $12.5 billion

Qatar and the United Kingdom have announced they will cooperate on energy projects while Qatar’s energy minister criticized Europe for “demonizing” oil and gas companies.