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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

MAHMOUD kHALED/AFP via Getty Images

Egypt to list more state companies on stock exchange

Egypt is selling state firms amid its economic crisis and Gulf entities are particularly interested in acquiring them.

A partial view shows residential buildings in Tehran on Dec. 22, 2021.

Iran's middle class priced out of housing market

As housing costs in Iran see record increases, officials are exchanging blame.

Egypt McDonald's

Reports: McDonald’s raises Big Mac price by 50% in Egypt

One Egyptian media outlet is encouraging people to make McDonald’s food at home in response to the price hike, which comes amid soaring food costs across the region.

an. 13, 2022, photo shows the broadcasting headquarters of the Egyptian Radio and Television Union in Cairo.

Saudi Arabia, Egypt go in on media project ahead of COP27

Preparations are underway in Egypt to launch an international news channel after securing an agreement with Saudi Arabia to fund the media project.

(L-R) Russian President Vladimir Putin, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Russia to invest $40 billion in Iran’s oil sector

The news came during Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to Iran and may have been motivated by US sanctions.

(L to R) Amos Hochstein, the US senior adviser for Energy Security, speaks with the Saudi Investment Minister Khalid al-Falih.

Venture capital investments in Saudi startups triple to $584 million

Saudi Arabia is proud of its emerging startup scene, but oil remains the bedrock of the Saudi economy.

A picture taken on Jan. 29, 2018, shows a man walking on the Iraqi capital's Rasheed Street, one of the oldest streets of the city.

Mega projects do little to calm Iraq's housing crisis

Despite several mega housing projects launched in Iraq, most notably the Al-Rafeel City project and Bismayah New City in Baghdad, Iraq still needs millions of houses to end the housing crisis.

A general view taken on April 9, 2014, shows the oil terminal of Marsa al-Hariga in Libya.

Explainer: Libya exports oil to Italy after end of shutdown in east

Tribes affiliated with Gen. Khalifa Hifter, who fought the government during the civil war, closed several oil fields due to a dispute with Libya’s state oil company.

Mazeej community products at a HORECA booth in Beirut, Lebanon, March 24, 2022.

Lebanese initiative to support struggling zaatar producers

Small-scale producers in Lebanon are struggling to stay in business due to harsh economic conditions, but projects like Mazeej are helping them to turn things around for the better.

People line up in front of a bakery to buy bread in Lebanon's southern city of Sidon on June 22, 2022.

War in Ukraine leaves Lebanon hungry

As wheat imports from Ukraine and Russia dwindle, Lebanese people are in danger of going hungry.

EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP via Getty Images

Indian company among buyers of Israel's Haifa Port

India is pursuing better economic relations with the UAE and Iran as well.

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UAE builds first railway over water

The Emirates is working on a national railway system as part of its efforts to reduce carbon emissions.