US Treasury targets Egyptian bank's UAE branches over Iran dealings The Treasury Department said Banque Misr's UAE branches had processed over $1 billion for Iranian shadow banking networks. By Elizabeth Hagedorn In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, human rights
Oil prices fall after Iran steps up truce efforts, US says Hormuz mines cleared Mohsen Rezaei, secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, said in an interview on Thursday that Iran was preparing a list of conditions for reopening the Strait of Hormuz. Iran
Lebanon, UAE ink deals, deepen economic ties on Emirati Beirut visit An Emirati business delegation signed the agreements in Beirut and met with President Joseph Aoun, indicating the UAE's interest in deepening economic ties with Lebanon. Lebanon
Sharaa taps Visa as Syria reconnects to global finance: What to know Visa and Mastercard announced Wednesday that their networks can now be used to make international card payments in Syria. Syria
Newsletter: Business & Tech Iran keeps Hormuz reopening on hold By Jack Dutton In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech
Israeli diamond exchange opens office in Dubai The Israeli and Emirati diamond sectors pledged to do business together following the signing of the Abraham Accords. By AL-MONITOR Staff
Analysis Israel hopes to triple trade with Morocco Israel and Morocco have signed a trade and investment cooperation agreement, with Israel aspiring to enlarge its annual trade volume with Morocco from $131 million to $500 million. By Rina Bassist In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs
Demand for natural gas up more than 20% in past decade The Gas Exporting Countries Forum is convening in Qatar amid the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, which could have a major effect on Europe’s energy supply. Qatar
Erdogan not giving up on gas from Iraqi Kurdistan Erdogan appears bent on advancing energy deals with Iraqi Kurdistan, even as a gas project remains bogged down by legal, technical and financial snags. Turkey
Analysis Turkish company disqualified from tender to operate Israel’s Haifa port Israeli intelligence agencies fear that a French-Lebanese company, associated with Turkish company Yilport, which is interested in operating the Haifa port, could be affiliated with Hezbollah. By Danny Zaken In Ma'ale HaHamisha, reporting on Israel
Lebanese wary of rise of customs duties amid economic crisis The cash-strapped Lebanese government has approved a draft budget law for 2022 that hikes the customs dollar and imposes new duties, as the country battles a severe economic crisis. Lebanon
Bleak economy pushes Gazan women toward domestic work The difficult economic conditions in Gaza have prompted women to resort to domestic work, a profession fraught with challenges as they live in a very conservative society. Palestine
Fitch downgrades several Turkish companies The leading rating agency previously downgraded Turkey on its debt scale due to high inflation in the country. By AL-MONITOR Staff
UAE explores economic cooperation with Cuba The Abu Dhabi and the Cuban chambers of commerce met at the Expo 2020 Dubai event, and a Cuban minister visited an Emirati renewable energy company. United Arab Emirates
Gulf states plan to phase out below-cost electricity for their citizens Subsidy reform is at the crux of state-led pushes to instill a change in thinking among citizens and a powerful tool to raise environmental awareness. Legacy: Gulf
Emirati cloud firm G42 signs agreement with Serbia The memorandum was signed at the Expo 2020 forum in Dubai. United Arab Emirates
Turkey's economy to be hit hard by Fed's expected interest rate hikes Expected interest rate hikes by the US Federal Reserve to rein in inflation will deal further blows to Turkey’s economic turmoil. Turkey