Why did the Met Opera lose its Saudi funding deal? The deal, announced as a nonbinding memorandum of understanding last September, would have seen the PIF inject up to $200 million into the opera institution over the next eight years. Saudi Arabia
Which airlines are cutting flights amid Hormuz fuel disruption? European and Asian airlines have been most impacted by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which is throttling jet fuel supplies. Iran
How are Iran-linked tankers still moving through Hormuz blockade? At least 19 Iran-linked tankers have passed through the US blockade on the strait to exit the Gulf while at least 15 have entered, according to the cargo-tracking group Vortexa. Iran
Iran seizes two cargo ships in Hormuz after Trump extends ceasefire The IRGC Navy’s seizure of two cargo vessels follows US Navy interdictions of two Iran-linked crude oil tankers in the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean earlier this week. Iran
Analysis Gulf energy deals face Iran war stress test as global expansion meets oil shock By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Analysis How long can Iran's economy weather US naval blockade? By Jack Dutton In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech
Israeli gas sector strengthens with Chevron, Morocco deals Israel is already exporting gas to Egypt and Jordan and is now eyeing greater energy ties with Morocco following the Abraham Accords. Israel
Oil prices fall to lowest since January despite Saudi-backed production cut The price decrease could be worrisome for Saudi Arabia and its investment plans. Legacy: Gulf
US unveils sanctions on Turkish businessman over IRGC oil sales The United States designated what it described as an international oil smuggling and money laundering network led by Turkish businessman Sitki Ayan. Turkey
Analysis The Takeaway: Xi's Saudi Arabia trip sends a message to US Plus, the Biden administration gears up for next week’s summit of African leaders and warns that Iran is still fueling Yemen’s war. By Elizabeth Hagedorn In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, human rights
Malaysia’s Petronas to explore for 'unconventional oil' in Abu Dhabi Unconventional oil, which is extracted via relatively complex methods, is found in the Western Hemisphere and Russia. Abu Dhabi is also seeking to extract some after successfully obtaining unconventional gas. Legacy: Gulf
China’s Xi heads to Saudi Arabia, adding strain to US ties Xi's visit to Saudi, the first in six years, will include two summits with Arab and GCC leaders and could see an agreement on nuclear technology Legacy: Gulf
OPEC+ decision to maintain production marks end of oil’s turbulent year The Saudi- and Russian-led cartel has both increased and decreased oil production this year, affecting global oil prices and relations with the United States in the process. Legacy: Gulf
International oil assets reported hit as Turkey strikes Syria's Kurdish zone Turkey’s wave of air attacks against Kurdish-controlled northeast Syria have reportedly hit oil assets run by international oil companies. Syria
Iran, Iraq sign $4 billion engineering agreement The deal comes at a notable time in Iran-Iraq relations, as the Islamic Republic continues to threaten and attack Kurdish groups in Iraq. Iran
Saudi Arabia announces new natural gas discoveries The kingdom is already a major oil exporter, but it could also start exporting natural gas in the near future. Legacy: Gulf
Qatar signs deal to sell Germany natural gas The agreement demonstrates the continued significance of Qatar's natural gas, despite pressure to transition to renewable energy. Legacy: Gulf
The Gulf Briefing: swapping petrodollars for assets In this weekly newsletter, Sebastian Castelier rounds up the biggest stories from the Gulf region. Legacy: Gulf
