Economy & Business - AL-MONITOR: The Middle Eastʼs leading independent news source since 2012

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Economy & Business

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.

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

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.

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

Leon Neal/Getty Images

United Arab Emirates

Explainer

What US sanctions on Syria remain as Shibani, Barrack hold talks?

RAMI AL SAYED/AFP via Getty Images

UAE billionaire Habtoor takes aim at Ben Gvir’s Gaza rhetoric

A picture take on Sept. 13, 2017, shows Khalaf Ahmad Al Habtoor, chairman of the Al Habtoor Group, attending the World Premiere of La Perle in Dubai.

United Arab Emirates

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

A view of the Dubai skyline, May 12, 2025.

Analysis

Gulf growth forecast bright but Israel-Iran war threatens to derail outlook

The World Bank had predicted economic growth among Gulf Cooperation Council states to increase in 2025 and 2026, but experts are skeptical due to the regional conflict.

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

ROMAIN COSTASECA/Hans Lucas/AFP via Getty Images

Crypto looted, TV hijacked: Iran grapples with wave of cyberstrikes

Iranian authorities had their work cut out for them on Wednesday, addressing at least three different cyberattacks linked to Israel.

In this handout photo provided by the US Navy, the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln transits the Strait of Hormuz as an MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter from the Nightdippers of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 5 lifts off from the flight deck, Nov. 19, 2019.

First ships pull back from Hormuz as Israel-Iran war drags on: What to know

Missile fire between the Middle East’s two biggest foes continued into its fifth day on Tuesday, with more than 220 people killed in Iran and more than 20 in Israel.

Smoke billows from a site that was hit by an Iranian missile strike in the city of Haifa early on June 16, 2025.

Gas prices surge, oil stabilizes as Israel-Iran conflict hits energy infrastructure

Israel hit several energy facilities in Iran over the weekend while Iranian missiles struck an oil refinery in Haifa.

A view of the platform of the Leviathan natural gas field in the Mediterranean Sea is pictured from the Israeli northern coastal beach of Nasholim, on August 29, 2022.

Israel closes Leviathan gas field after strikes on Iran, cutting supply to Egypt

The shutdown comes after Israel launched a series of air strikes on Iranian military and nuclear sites as well as key nuclear scientists and officials.

Iranian soldiers take part in the "National Persian Gulf day" in the Strait of Hormuz, on April 30, 2019. The date coincides with the anniversary of a successful military campaign by Shah Abbas the Great of Persia in the 17th century, which drove the Portuguese navy out of the Hormuz Island, after which is named the waterway which separates the Gulf from the Sea of Oman. (Photo by ATTA KENARE / AFP) (Photo by ATTA KENARE/AFP via Getty Images)

Global shippers sound alarm over Strait of Hormuz amid Iran-US-Israel tensions

The critical waterway, which connects the Gulf, Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea, sees about a quarter of the world's oil shipments pass through it.

Cryptocurrency giant Binance opens trading access to Syria: What to know

Binance’s announcement comes after the United States and the European Union lifted most economic sanctions on Syria last month.

A woman looks on from Creek Harbout at the Dubai skyline with Burj Khalifa, the world's largest building (C) on Feb. 5, 2025.

EU commission removes UAE, adds Lebanon and Algeria to money laundering list: What to know

The changes to the list are still pending approval from EU member states and the European Parliament, likely within the next month.

United Arab Emirates

Khalaf Ahmad al-Habtoor, Chairman of the al-Habtoor Group, attending the World Premiere of La Perle in Dubai

UAE’s Al Habtoor Group to send business delegation to Syria: What to know

Al Habtoor Group's announcement comes after the United States and European Union lifted most economic sanctions on Syria last month.

People enjoy the sun and the sea along the Kadinlar Beach of Kusadasi on July 17, 2005.

Turkey: $30M credit card scam hits tourists in coastal resort, 20 arrested

The alleged ringleader, a hotel owner identified as "H.O.," stole the money by sharing credit card details of tourists checking into the property.

People queue to use ATM machines outside a bank in Damascus on Dec. 16, 2024.

Syria to rejoin SWIFT payment system ‘within a few weeks’: What to know

It marks a major milestone in Syria’s economic recovery from sanctions imposed in 2011 in response to human rights abuse allegations against the regime of long-time dictator Bashar al-Assad.

Exhibitors display Israel's Blue Bird aero-systems UAV at the DefExpo 2018, a large defence exhibition showcasing military equipment, on the outskirts of Chennai on April 11, 2018.

Analysis

Israel posts record $14.7B in defense deals as European demand soars: What to know

European customers are largely behind the jump in Israeli weapons sales, and one expert said concerns over Israel’s conduct in the war in Gaza appears to have had only a limited effect on Europe’s demand for Israeli weapons.

Adam Lucente

By Adam Lucente

In New York City, reporting on regional news, militancy, climate change