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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

Iran economy

The economics of social unrest in Iran

While the protests themselves are unsurprising, given the economic crises plaguing the country, the fact that they were centered in the southwestern province of Khuzestan is significant.

A general view of the Egyptian Exchange, Cairo, Egypt, Jan. 7, 2022.

Egypt to sell state-owned firms amid economic crisis

Ten of Egypt's largest state-owned companies will be listed this year on the stock exchange, while others will be sold in the coming years as the government tries to attract foreign investors to relieve economic hardships.

KARIM SAHIB/AFP via Getty Images

Abu Dhabi National Oil Company announces IPO price for Borouge

The joint venture between ADNOC and the Austrian energy company Borealis will soon be listed on the Abu Dhabi stock exchange.

United Arab Emirates

Israeli Knesset

Israeli legislator promotes cooperation with Palestinians on climate

Knesset committee chair Emilie Moatti is hosting meetings on cooperation with Palestinians in the fields of water treatment, climate change, agriculture and environmental protection.

An aerial view of the solar mirrors at the Noor 1 Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) plant, some 20 kilometers (12.5 miles) outside the central Moroccan town of Ouarzazate.

Morocco to ramp up green hydrogen production

While the industry is still in its infancy, the need to develop sustainable energy sources is becoming more pressing for the country.

ATTA KENARE/AFP via Getty Images

Iran, Oman to jointly develop oil field

Iran's president is in Muscat seeking increased cooperation with Oman on energy and transportation.

Egypt capital

Pro-government voices call for cancellation of Egyptian megaprojects

The Egyptian government is said to be seeking to halt huge construction works across the nation, citing the economic crisis and the repercussions of the Russian-Ukrainian war.

German Economy and Climate Action Minister Robert Habeck (R) and Qatar Minister for Energy Saad Sherida Al-Kaabi.

Qatar seeks to export natural gas to Germany by 2024

Germany wants Qatari gas as an alternative to Russia’s due to the invasion of Ukraine.

Visitors wearing virtual reality headsets interact with a display by the Israel Aerospace Industries.

Israel high-tech sector looks to Ukraine, Arab world to address labor shortage

With a manpower shortage that keeps growing, Israeli high-tech companies are going to great lengths to recruit a quality workforce.

KARIM SAHIB/AFP via Getty Images

UAE-Turkey reconciliation continues with trade agreement

The move follows a currency swap agreement between the two countries and the Turkish president's visit to the UAE.

OZAN KOSE/AFP via Getty Images

Fourth Turkish drilling ship arrives from South Korea

Turkey's fourth drilling ship is set to bring the country's drilling fleet to another level.

GIUSEPPE CACACE/AFP via Getty Images

UAE-Germany trade up more than 10% in 2021

Entities in the Emirates and Germany have signed several recent energy cooperation agreements.