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Economy & Business

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

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

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

China’s once significant oil imports from Iran have been impacted by the war in the region and increasing US sanctions.

Latest News

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

Turkey looks to expand Syria energy footprint into oil, gas

President Ahmad al-Sharaa meets Turkish Energy and Natural Resources Minister Alparslan Bayraktar at the People’s Palace in Damascus, Syria, on Aug. 19, 2026.

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

Francisco Serrano

In Lisbon, reporting on North Africa business

Qatar’s takeover of Manchester United unlikely as Glazers plan to stay put: report

An ESPN report suggests that current owners may want to hold onto the club and try and double its value.

Saudi Aramco

Saudi Arabia boosts sovereign fund with 4% Aramco transfer

Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman announced the completion of a 4% transfer of Saudi Aramco shares on Sunday from state ownership to Sanabil Investments.

A protester rides his bicycle amid ongoing demonstrations against the government's judicial reform bill, in Tel Aviv on April 15, 2023. (Photo by JACK GUEZ / AFP) (Photo by JACK GUEZ/AFP via Getty Images)

Israel in budget deficit in another fallout post Moody’s downgrade

The credit rating agency downgraded Israel’s credit outlook due to the judicial reform controversy in the country.

Khartoum on fire

Airlines suspend Sudan flights after Saudi plane hit by gunfire

A number of Middle Eastern airlines have banned flights after the power struggle between the Sudanese army and a rival paramilitary group turned deadly on Saturday.

Western Sahara

Analysis

Why is trade between Algeria and Spain still at a standstill?

Since last June, the two countries have severed business and trade relations over Spain's support of Morocco's claim to the contested Western Sahara.

In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech

Turkey oil

Oil flow from Iraqi Kurdistan to Turkey remains stopped, threatening sector

Oil flows to Turkey remain frozen following the agreement between Iraq and the Kurdistan Regional Government. The impasse could hurt the autonomous region’s oil sector and revenue.

Saudi and foreign journalists are pictured at the Future Investment Initiative (FII) badge collection centre.

Saudi Arabia opens four special economic zones with eye on foreign investment

The special economic zones offer incentives such as competitive corporate tax rates, 100% ownership of companies and flexibility in employing foreign labor.

EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP via Getty Images

Moody’s downgrades Israel’s credit outlook

Despite calls by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Isaac Herzog, Moody's has changed Israel's credit outlook from "positive" to "stable."

A picture taken in the Saudi Red Sea coastal city of Jeddah on July 14, 2022, ahead of a visit by the United States' president to the desert kingdom, shows hosts and journalists during a presentation on the Saudi Green Initiative, which also includes goals for tree-planting and reducing emissions. - (Photo by Amer HILABI / AFP) (Photo by AMER HILABI/AFP via Getty Images)

From fields to clouds: the Middle East's bid for the digital economy

In recent years, the Middle East has made efforts to capitalize on the massive long-term upside of the digital economy. This new Pro Trend Report takes a deep dive into those efforts and if they'll pay off.

Vacher

Analysis

Ball now in Tunisia's court regarding $1.9bn IMF bailout

Officials from the IMF, the World Bank and Italy have all commented on the proposed bailout package this week as a Tunisian delegation joins the spring meeting of the multilateral institutions in Washington.

In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech

A view of a desalination plant in the Omani port city of Sur, south of the capital Muscat, on Nov. 27, 2019.

Oman activates first floating desalination plant

The mobile desalination plants are meant to service 70 seaport villages and are the first of their kind in the Arab world.

Russian President Vladimir Putin meets with United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan in Saint Petersburg on Oct. 11, 2022.

UAE will not ‘jeopardize’ rules to attract Russian wealth: Trade minister

The Emirates has been criticized for hosting companies engaged in sanctions-busting following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, but is making efforts to clean up its act.