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Egypt

April 19, 2026

Cairo 4:20 pm

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A man walks through the atrium during the 2026 IMF and World Bank Group Spring Meetings in Washington, DC, on April 14, 2026. (Photo by Kent NISHIMURA / AFP via Getty Images)

IMF slashes Mideast outlook by nearly 3 points as Iran war hits economies

The International Monetary Fund cut gross domestic product forecasts for the Middle East and North Africa, with the fallout from the conflict exposing stark divergences between the region’s energy exporters and importers.

Sayed Hassan/Getty Images

Analysis

Egypt eyes energy breakthroughs as Iran war deepens gas crunch

Among countries outside the Gulf conflict's direct line of fire, few have felt the shockwaves as acutely as Egypt.

Samuel Wendel

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

A police speed boat patrols the port as oil tankers and high speed crafts sit anchored at Muscat Anchorage near the Strait of Hormuz on March 30, 2026 in Muscat, Oman.

Analysis

Hostage to Hormuz, can Gulf rewire future energy flows to bypass Iran’s chokepoint?

As the US-Israel-Iran war disrupts around 20% of global oil supply, experts point to opportunities and challenges facing a renewed push to develop alternatives to the Strait of Hormuz.

Samuel Wendel

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

A view of the platform of the Leviathan natural gas field in the Mediterranean Sea is pictured from the Israeli northern coastal beach of Nasholim, on Aug. 29, 2022.

Israel energy minister says gas flowing to Egypt, Jordan despite shutdown reports

Israeli Energy Minister Eli Cohen told Al-Monitor that despite security concerns and partial shut down of marine gas platforms, Israel continues to supply gas to Egypt, Jordan and Israeli consumers.

Latest News

Egypt closes stores early, Jordan bans AC as Iran war takes toll

Shops close early, on March 28, 2026, in Cairo, Egypt.

Analysis

Oil-rich Gulf states could face power crunch as Iran war hits energy security

A general view of South Pars gas field facilities in the southern Iranian port town of Assaluyeh, on the Gulf, Nov. 19, 2015.

Samuel Wendel

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

How Egypt is navigating limited options in Iran war to stay neutral

US President Donald Trump and President of Egypt Abdel Fattah El-Sisi clasp hands as they speak to the press before their meeting on Oct. 13, 2025, in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt.

Analysis

Oil crisis stokes inflation risks for Mideast as Iran war exposes importers

Smoke and flames rise at the site of airstrikes on an oil depot in Tehran on March 7, 2026.

Samuel Wendel

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

Beatrice Farhat

Associate Editor (Lebanon)

In Beirut, reporting on regional news, culture, conflict

Jonathan Fenton-Harvey

In London, reporting on North Africa and Gulf politics

Mohammed Magdy

In Berlin, reporting on Egyptian politics

Ayah Aman

In Cairo, reporting on politics and culture

Salwa Samir

In Giza, reporting on politics

Nada Shaker

In Cairo, reporting on culture

Egypt's Islamist President-elect Mohamed Mursi waves to his supporters while surrounded by his members of the presidential guard in Cairo's Tahrir Square, June 29, 2012. Mursi took an informal oath of office on Friday before tens of thousands of supporters in Cairo's Tahrir Square, in a slap at the generals trying to limit his power. REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh (EGYPT - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY) - RTR34DDN

Morsi Never Had a Chance

There isn’t a politician in the world who can provide for the “will of the people” in post-revolutionary Egypt, because the people’s demands are excessive and impossible to fulfill.

A supporter of former Egyptian President Mohamed Mursi performs prayers near Cairo University in Cairo July 4, 2013. The leader of the Muslim Brotherhood was arrested by Egyptian security forces on Thursday in a crackdown against the Islamist movement after the army ousted the country's first democratically elected president Mursi. At least 16 people have been killed and hundreds wounded in street clashes across Egypt since Mursi's overthrow. REUTERS/Suhaib Salem (EGYPT - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST) - RTX1

Does Morsi's Fall Mark Failure of Islamism?

The decades-old ideology of the Muslim Brotherhood has failed its test as a mode of governance in a modern state.

(R-L) U.S. ambassador to Israel Dan Shapiro, Israel's military chief Lieutenant-General Benny Gantz, Israel's Defence Minister Ehud Barak and U.S. Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta stand together during a welcoming ceremony for Panetta in Tel Aviv August 1, 2012. REUTERS/Gali Tibbon/Pool (ISRAEL - Tags: POLITICS MILITARY) - RTR35SOI

Israel Hopes the US Will Learn From Egypt

The Israeli political class, gathered for the Fourth of July reception, voiced hopes that the Obama administration learns from its mistakes in US policy and starts recognizing pockets of hope where they emerge.

A man is silhouetted against the sunset as Egyptian military jets fly in formation over Tahrir square in Cairo July 4, 2013. The leader of the Muslim Brotherhood was arrested by Egyptian security forces on Thursday in a crackdown against the Islamist movement after the army ousted the country's first democratically elected president Mohamed Mursi. Adli Mansour, head of Egypt's constitution court, was sworn in as the interim head of state on Friday. REUTERS/Mohamed Abd El Ghany (EGYPT - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL

Was Morsi's Ouster a Coup Or New Egyptian Revolution?

Egypt’s new uprising has for now delivered what the people wanted, and they know they can do it again, if necessary.

Adli Mansour (C), Egypt's chief justice and head of the Supreme Constitutional Court, is applauded by other judges after his swearing in ceremony as the nation's interim president in Cairo July 4, 2013, a day after the army ousted Mohamed Mursi as head of state. REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh (EGYPT - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST MILITARY TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY) - RTX11C5B

Morsi Regime Figures ArrestedAs Interim President Takes Oath

As a new president took power in the name of the people, Egyptian authorities began arresting about 300 leaders and supporters of Mohammed Morsi's regime.

A boy with his face painted in the colours of Egypt's national flag attends a rally held by anti-Mursi protesters at Tahrir square in Cairo July 4, 2013. REUTERS/Khaled Abdullah (EGYPT - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST) - RTX11CR8

How Morsi, Brotherhood Lost Egypt

Inclusion and civil cohesion must become the cornerstone of Egypt’s transition.

Egyptian soldiers keep guard as heavy equipment destroy smuggling tunnels beneath the Egyptian-Gaza border in Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip February 19, 2013. Egypt will not tolerate a two-way flow of smuggled arms with the Gaza Strip that is destabilising its Sinai peninsula, a senior aide to its Islamist president said, explaining why Egyptian forces flooded sub-border tunnels last week. To match Interview PALESTINIANS-TUNNELS/EGYPT REUTERS/Ibraheem Abu Mustafa (GAZA - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST)

Hamas Isolated After Coup in Egypt

The fall of the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt, the change of leadership in Qatar and the loss of Iranian support have left Hamas isolated.

Protesters, who are against Egyptian President Mohamed Mursi, hold a poster featuring the head of Egypt's armed forces General Abdel Fattah al-Sisi in Tahrir Square in Cairo July 3, 2013. Egypt's armed forces overthrew elected Islamist President Mohamed Mursi on Wednesday and announced a political transition with the support of a wide range of political, religious and youth leaders. A statement published in Mursi's name on his official Facebook page after al-Sisi's speech said the measures announced amounte

Egypt’s Military Ousts Morsi, Names Judge as Interim President

The Egyptian military deposes President Mohammed Morsi and names Adly Mansour, head of the Supreme Constitutional Court, as interim president, causing Tahrir Square demonstrators to rejoice.

Members of the Muslim Brotherhood and supporters of Egypt's President Mohamed Mursi hold pictures of him as they react after the Egyptian army's statement was read out on state TV, at the Raba El-Adwyia mosque square in Cairo July 3, 2013. Egypt's armed forces overthrew elected Islamist President Mursi on Wednesday and announced a political transition with the support of a wide range of political, religious and youth leaders. A statement published in Mursi's name on his official Facebook page after head of

Egypt's Brotherhood Must Be Assured Part in Politics

The opposition must be clear in condemning attacks on the Muslim Brotherhood, and in reassuring the Brotherhood that it will continue to be part of the country's political fabric in the future.

A policeman (C) cheers with protesters, who are against Egyptian President Mohamed Mursi, as they dance and react in front of the Republican Guard headquarters in Cairo July 3, 2013. Egypt's armed forces overthrew elected Islamist President Mohamed Mursi on Wednesday and announced a political transition with the support of a wide range of political, religious and youth leaders. A statement published in Mursi's name on his official Facebook page after head of Egypt's armed forces General Abdel Fattah al-Sisi

US Navigates Egypt’s Turmoil With Eye on Military Role

US influence is at the margins of yet another turn of events.

Women chant slogans from their windows to show their support for an anti-Mursi protest by police officers and protesters after the funeral of Brigadier General Mohamed Hani, a senior police officer from Alexandria, in the streets of Alexandria July 1, 2013. Mohamed Hani was shot dead by unknown gunmen who ambushed his car in the Sinai Peninsula town of El Arish on Saturday, security sources and state media said. REUTERS/Asmaa Waguih (EGYPT - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST) - RTX118S7

Egyptians Form Human Shields To Protect Female Protesters

Protesters form groups to protect Egyptian women at demonstrations; 91 cases of sexual assault reported at Tahrir Square

A member of Hamas security forces stands guard in front of the closed gate of the Rafah crossing with Egypt, in the southern Gaza Strip May 17, 2013. Egyptian policemen blocked the crossing into the Gaza Strip on Friday to protest against the kidnapping of Egyptian security forces in the Sinai, witnesses and sources said.
REUTERS/Ibraheem Abu Mustafa (GAZA - Tags: POLITICS) - RTXZQ8D

Hamas Lies Low on Egypt Crisis

Hamas has instructed its leadership to maintain a low profile on Egypt's unrest to avoid being dragged into the crisis.