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Economy & Business

France's President Emmanuel Macron and Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman shake hands

France, Saudi Arabia announce more than $10B in deals on MBS visit

Among the deals included a 6 billion euro ($7 billion) pledge from the Public Investment Fund in three manga-themed amusement parks on the outskirts of Paris.

Leon Neal/Getty Images

Oil falls 1.8% as traders await 'toughest' sanctions on Iran

Traders are awaiting details about new US measures sure to further disrupt Iranian oil flows.

Khor Fakkan Container Terminal

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.

Latest News

Trump’s Iran ‘economic D-Day’ threat sends oil prices above $94

Iranians drive past an anti-US billboard at Enghelab Square in central Tehran, Aug. 3, 2026.

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.

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

Dubai expo

Saudi Arabia building support for Expo 2030 bid

The kingdom wants to host the international cultural forum, which is currently being held in Dubai.

Palestinian school teacher Jihad Abu Sharar gives lessons online from her home, after a decision by the minister of education to close schools and kindergartens following a surge in coronavirus cases, Dura village, the West Bank, Feb. 3, 2022.

World Bank report notes improvement Palestinian digital economy

The DC-based institution’s report also said that Israeli restrictions and the Palestinian legal framework are impeding further development in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

Egypt financial

First Abu Dhabi Bank seeks to buy Egyptian financial firm EFG Hermes

Merger and acquisition activity rose dramatically in Egypt in 2021.

AL-MONITOR Staff

By AL-MONITOR Staff

Israel economy

Report: Israel central bank leader not concerned about inflation

Andrew Abir discussed interest rates, Israel’s high cost of living, foreign currency purchases and more with the Israeli media outlet Globes.

AL-MONITOR Staff

By AL-MONITOR Staff

Delivery couriers of Yemeksepeti demonstrate to demand higher wages in front of the company's headquarters in Istanbul, on Feb. 5, 2022.

Turkey’s food delivery couriers latest to strike amid economic crisis

A spate of industrial action from courier drivers comes as they step into an important gap created by COVID isolation.

A man carrying bags of bread walks as a patrol of US military vehicles is seen in the town of Tal Tamr in the northeastern Syrian Hasakeh province along the border with Turkey on Feb. 8, 2020.

Bread crisis looms in Syria amid low wheat production

The bread crisis in Syrian regime areas is expected to become worse in the next few months due to drought and its subsequent impact on wheat crop production.