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Economy & Business

Lebanese Presidency

Large UAE delegation set to arrive in Lebanon in major investment push

A large Emirati delegation of around 70 business leaders and government officials is heading to Beirut, in the latest sign of thaw between the United Arab Emirates and Lebanon.

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

Latest News

China slams Trump over economic war on Iran: What to know

Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian holds a press conference on Aug. 19, 2026.

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

Samuel Wendel

Senior Analyst, Middle East Business & Tech

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

Israeli oil platform extracting natural gas from Mediterranean Sea.

Israeli gas continues to flow despite Gaza conflict, but risks remain

A prolonged war might mean less exported gas to Egypt, and in turn less supply for Europe.

Amin Nasser Aramco

Renewable energy industry not ready to shoulder global demand, Aramco says

The boss of the world's largest oil company doubled down on investing more in oil and gas, despite Greta Thunberg and other climate activists protesting outside the conference he was speaking at in London.

A picture shows a view of the dried-up bed of the al-Kalal River in the city of Badrah, near the Iran border, on August 28, 2023. Iraq's drought reflects a decline in the level of waterways due to the lack of rain and lower flows from upstream neighboring countries Iran and Turkey.

Agriculture, business interests will continue to weigh on Iran’s water sector

Bijan Khajehpour

Bijan Khajehpour

In Vienna, reporting on Iranian politics

Harry McGuire Man Utd

Qatar pulls out of Manchester United acquisition race

The Qatari royal and banker had bid 5 billion pounds ($6 billion) for the British soccer club but further talks last week have broken down, the BBC reported Sunday.

A jewelry shop employee displays 24-carat gold bars in Ahmedabad, August 20, 2011.

Oil, gold climb amid Israeli-Hamas war, tighter Russian sanctions

One analyst predicts gold could reach $4,000 per ounce by year-end amid uncertainty caused by the Middle East conflict.

Ben Gurion Airport

Full list of airlines that have suspended Israel flights after Hamas attacks

Israel’s main international airport has remained open despite the conflict, and most Israeli airlines are still operating.

Gaza Strip

EU's backpedaling on Palestinian aid exposes fissures on foreign policy

An EU Commission spokesperson said at a Brussels briefing on Tuesday that earlier comments by a senior EU official were not endorsed by the top leadership of the 27-state bloc.

first tests of Alstom's Coradia iLint Hydrogen train between Reignac-sur-Indre and Loches, central France.

Saudi Arabia set to begin Middle East’s first hydrogen train trials

Saudi Arabian Railways, in partnership with French manufacturer Alstom, will begin to operate the world’s first hydrogen-powered passenger train in Riyadh later this month.

Gaza

Israel-Gaza war: Oil prices spike, Israel begins sell-off to support shekel

Israel's currency tumbled to its lowest level against the dollar since 2016 and the central bank is selling foreign reserves to prop up its value.

KHALED DESOUKI/AFP via Getty Images

Analysis

Can UAE's currency swap offer Egypt's spiraling economy some respite?

The arrangement is expected to relieve some pressure on Cairo’s foreign currency reserves, secure FX liquidity and bring stability to the exchange rate with Abu Dhabi.

AL-MONITOR Staff

By AL-MONITOR Staff

alfalfa

Explainer: What is behind the Arizona-Saudi groundwater controversy?

The US state canceled the lease for one of Saudi dairy giant Almarai’s subsidiaries, saying it has been improperly pumping groundwater out of the desert.

A vendor selling watermelons steers his horse-drawn cart along a street in Cairo on October 2, 2023. (Photo by Khaled DESOUKI / AFP) (Photo by KHALED DESOUKI/AFP via Getty Images)

Egypt’s economy teeters following Moody's downgrade

Egypt is suffering from high inflation, foreign currency shortages and an IMF-supported currency devaluation as President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi seeks reelection.