United Arab Emirates - AL-MONITOR: The Middle Eastʼs leading independent news source since 2012

UAE cover image

United Arab Emirates

August 23, 2026

Abu Dhabi 6:33 pm

38°C

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

Iranians drive past an anti-US billboard at Enghelab Square in central Tehran, Aug. 3, 2026.

Trump’s Iran ‘economic D-Day’ threat sends oil prices above $94

In a Truth Social post, the president threatened that any country that provides a financial lifeline to Iran will face "tremendous economic consequences."

AHMAD AL-RUBAYE / AFP via Getty Images

Explainer

Iraq seeks special Hormuz access from Iran in scramble to keep oil flowing

As Iran's parliament speaker holds talks in Baghdad, Iraq has asked Tehran for special consideration for its oil exports.

Latest News

UAE halts all trade ties with Iran after missile attack

Ships are docked along a pier at the Khor Fakkan Container Terminal, the only natural deep-sea port in the region and one of the major container ports in Sharjah Emirate, along the Gulf of Oman on July 14, 2026.

United Arab Emirates

Oil nears $92 on UAE missile alert as Trump claims Iran talks stuck

Leon Neal/Getty Images

United Arab Emirates

Sudan ramps up Saudi Arabia, Turkey contacts amid growing Red Sea cooperation

Sudanese army soldier stands in front of a tank

Samuel Wendel

Senior Market Research Analyst

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

Mohammed Soliman

In Washington, DC, reporting on Gulf politics

The Sultanate of Oman (R) and Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan (L).

UAE, Oman boost ties with deals on high-speed rail, combating financial crimes

The agreements are in line with the UAE’s foreign policy, which prioritizes regional partnerships.

United Arab Emirates

KHALED DESOUKI/AFP via Getty Images

UAE, Egypt partner on sustainable waste management in Sharm el-Sheikh

The partnership between BEEAH Group and Green Planet comes in advance of Egypt hosting a UN climate change conference.

Residential buildings are seen unilluminated in the evening on Sept. 10, 2022, in Berlin, Germany.

UAE to help Germany reduce dependence on Russian gas

Qatar is also reportedly close to supplying the European country with natural gas amid the Ukraine war.

United Arab Emirates

Turkey drone

UAE receives first batch of Turkish armed drones

Turkey’s delivery of 20 armed drones to the United Arab Emirates showcases the rapid advance in Ankara’s regional fence-mending.

Ohood

Minister for the Future says 'Projects of the 50' aims to make UAE global hub

Ohood Khalfan Al Roumi, the UAE's minister of state for government development and the future, explains the Gulf state's strategic plans over the next half-century.

A general view taken on May 29, 2019, shows the seafront promenade in the Emirati capital, Abu Dhabi, with the ADNOC headquarters.

Dubai supplier to replace coal with natural gas in bid to reduce carbon emissions

The Abu Dhabi National Oil Company signed an agreement to provide Dubai with natural gas, which will be used to generate electricity. Natural gas is a relatively clean fuel but does lead to carbon emissions.

United Arab Emirates

Queen Elizabeth II with (L-R) Crown Prince Hussein of Jordan, Queen Rania of Jordan, King Abdullah II of Jordan and Princess Anne.

UAE, Jordan, Israel mourn passing of Queen Elizabeth of England

Elizabeth II ruled the United Kingdom for more than eight decades.

United Arab Emirates

OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images

Dubai-based firm to build offshore wind farm in UK

Many Emirati companies are working on renewable energy projects.

United Arab Emirates

A man walks past an electric car in Masdar City, outside the rich Emirate of Abu Dhabi, on Oct. 7, 2015.

China’s NWTN to build electric vehicle facility in Abu Dhabi

The deal represents the UAE’s push toward green technology, as well as China’s growing influence in the wider region.

A general view during Netflix’s First Arabic Film “Perfect Strangers (ar) أصحاب … ولا أعز” on Jan. 17, 2022 at Bvlgari Yacht Club in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Culture

Gulf states warn Netflix over content that 'contradicts Islamic values'

The controversy follows some Gulf states cracking down on rainbow colors due to their resemblance to the LGBTQ pride flag, though the Gulf Cooperation Council did not mention what exactly the issue is with Netflix.

An Emirates Airlines Boing 777 plane unload a coronavirus vaccine shipment at Dubai International Airport on February 1, 2021 as key transport hub Dubai announced an initiative to accelerate the delivery of coronavirus vaccines, particularly to developing nations. - The Vaccine Logistics Alliance, which includes Dubai-based Emirates airline and global logistics giant DP World, is designed to "speed up distribution of Covid-19 vaccines around the world through the emirate". The alliance will "support" the Wo

Long-term transport growth bodes well for Middle East airlines, airports as competition intensifies

Afshin Molavi

Egypt economy

UAE more than doubles investment in Egypt

Egypt is seeking to sell state companies, which has attracted Gulf investors.