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Egypt

April 19, 2026

Cairo 11:50 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

Supporters of Egyptian President Mohamed Mursi shout slogans and wave an Egyptian national flag in front of the Supreme Constitutional Court in Maadi, south of Cairo December 2, 2012. Egypt's Supreme Constitutional Court postponed its work indefinitely on Sunday after a protest by Islamists sympathetic to President Mohamed Mursi outside its headquarters. REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh (EGYPT - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST CRIME LAW) - RTR3B4MT

Is Egypt’s Shura Council Constitutional?

Egypt’s Supreme Constitutional Court will soon make a decision on the country’s only functioning legislative body.

Palestinian travellers pass an Egyptian soldier standing guard on the Egyptian side of the Rafah border, to cross over to Gaza at Rafah city, some 350 km (217 miles) northeast of Cairo, May 22, 2013. Seven members of the Egyptian security forces kidnapped by Islamist militants in Sinai last week were freed on Wednesday and President Mohamed Mursi announced a new crackdown on lawlessness in the desert peninsula. Their abduction underlined the threat posed by jihadists who became active in a security vacuum t

Hamas Asks Egypt To 'Re-Evaluate' Camp David Accords

Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh has called on Egypt to "re-evaluate" Camp David in the context of a comprehensive security plan for Sinai.

Egypt Cracks Down On Insults to Religion

Egypt's media and unviversities are under pressure from government censors.

Soldiers who were kidnapped last week sit before a news conference by President Mohamed Mursi after their release, in Cairo, May 22, 2013. Seven members of the Egyptian security forces kidnapped by Islamist militants in Sinai last week were freed on Wednesday and Mursi announced a new crackdown on lawlessness in the desert peninsula. REUTERS/Stringer (EGYPT - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST) - RTXZWM1

Egypt Needs Security Strategy For Sinai

The Sinai has exposed the fallacies of the piecemeal approach to the Arab–Israeli conflict.

An anti-government protester, who is covered with an Egyptian flag, and has a model depicting a tank, holds a picture of former Egypt's President Gamal Abdel Nasser while lying down on the ground in Tahrir square during a demonstration in Cairo May 17, 2013. REUTERS/Asmaa Waguih (EGYPT - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST) - RTXZQNK

The Seven Draft Laws Defining Egypt Right Now

Egypt’s political debate heats up over draft legislation.

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

The Israel-Egypt-Hamas Triangle in the Sinai

The threat posed by Salafists and other jihadists in the northern Sinai has resulted in Hamas, Egypt and Israel recognizing their mutual interests.

Former Egyptian president candidate Hamdeen Sabahi (C) talks to the media after attending the funeral of killed Egyptian activists Amro Saad and Mohammed al-Guindi outside Omar Makram Mosque in Cairo's Tahrir Square on February 4, 2013. Saad died in clashes during anti-government protests on February 1, while Guindi, 28, went missing last month after joining protests demanding change on the second anniversary of Egypt's uprising against former president Hosni Mubarak and then slipped into a coma following d

Did Muslim Brotherhood Frame Salma Sabahi?

Opposition figures have accused the Muslim Brotherhood of framing the daughter of a powerful opponent for fraud in an act of retaliation.

Egypt's President Mohamed Mursi (C) stands after laying a wreath during his visit to the tomb of former President Anwar al-Sadat and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier during the commemoration of Sinai Liberation Day in Cairo April 24, 2013. Saluting next to Mursi are Egypt's Defence Minister Abdel Fattah al-Sisi (L) and General Sedki Sobhi (R), chief of staff to Egypt's Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF). Sinai Liberation Day is marked annually on April 25. REUTERS/Egyptian Presidency/Handout (EGYPT

Why Only Democracy Can Save Egypt

Egypt’s military chief wisely dismisses calls for a coup against President Mohammed Morsi and the Muslim Brotherhood.

Why Bassem Youssef Can Make Egyptians Uncomfortable

The Egyptian comedian challenges and provokes a conservative culture, and President Mohammed Morsi, with his sharp wit and racy language.

'Rebel' Egyptian Movement Defies Morsi Through Petitions

The increasingly popular 'Rebel' (Tamarod) Movement is collecting signatures to force early elections in Egypt.

Deputy Supreme Guide of Muslim Brotherhood, Rashad al-Bayoumi listens to journalists' questions during an interview on March 23, 2013 in Cairo. Al-Bayoumi, said Friday's violence that wounded more than 160 people was "a tragedy." AFP PHOTO STR (Photo credit should read -/AFP/Getty Images)

Brotherhood's Bayoumi: Egypt 'Will Not Turn Its Back' on US

In an interview, Deputy Supreme Guide of the Muslim Brotherhood Rashad al-Bayoumi addressed Egyptian-US relations, Egypt's economy and President Morsi's position on the Syrian crisis.

A protester opposing Egyptian President Mohamed Mursi gestures at the riot police while holding a national flag during clashes with Islamist protesters in front of The 6th October Bridge near Tahrir Square in Cairo, April 19, 2013. Thousands of Islamist protesters clashed with opponents as they rallied on Friday to demand a purge of Egypt's judiciary, a sign of rising tension between the Islamist government and legal organs seen as a redoubt of old regime influence. REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh (EGYPT - Tags:

Military Veterans Form Party Calling For Morsi to Step Down

A new political party, The Egyptian Will, includes former military officers who are seeking Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi’s removal from office.