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Iran names US tech, finance firms in new Middle East threat list

People sit in a cafe outside the Apple Store in Dubai on May 8, 2025.

Analysis

Iran’s longest-ever internet blackout leaves 99% offline: What to know

Traffic rolls along a main throughfare under a banner with images of past and present leaders that reads in Farsi, "Domino fall", as daily life returns to the streets following nationwide protests, in the Iranian capital Tehran on January 19, 2026. Demonstrations sparked in late December by anger over economic hardship exploded into protests widely seen as the biggest challenge to the Iranian leadership in years. Limited internet access briefly returned in Iran before dropping again, a monitor said January

Samuel Wendel

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

What we know about UAE blocking X accounts accused of misinformation

Attendees take a picture of French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe as he delivers a speech during a visit to the Louvre Abu Dhabi Museum on February 10, 2018, on Saadiyat island in the Emirati capital, to launch the French-Emirati "Year of Cultural Dialogue". (Photo by KARIM SAHIB / AFP) (Photo by KARIM SAHIB/AFP via Getty Images)

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

David Rosenberg

In Tel Aviv, reporting on business and tech

Dubai crypto

Bybit, Crypto.com head for Dubai as UAE pushes cryptocurrency

The Emirates wants to become a cryptocurrency hub for the region, but faces some competition from Israel.

United Arab Emirates

FABRICE COFFRINI/AFP via Getty Images

Israeli bank Leumi becomes first in country to allow cryptocurrency trading

The cryptocurrency market is expanding in Israel and the Palestinian territories, but authorities want the industry to be more regulated.

Bitcoin

Israeli crypto firm Coinmama bought for $3 million

Coinmama is one of the relatively few cryptocurrency platforms that allows users to buy coins with a credit card, and is part of Israel’s growing crypto ecosystem.

The Barakah nuclear plant, seen here in Ruwais, Abu Dhabi.

UAE expands nuclear power plant, doubles electricity production

The UAE is still reliant on oil and gas, though nuclear energy is rising in the country and across the region.

United Arab Emirates

Iran tech

Iran to offer visas for startups

The purpose of the visa is to attract foreign investment and innovation to Iran. The Iranian economy has been struggling recently for several reasons, including government mismanagement and US sanctions.

NEOM.

Saudi’s future city, NEOM, launches renewable energy project

Saudi Arabia has grand plans for the city, but the endeavor’s land use and sustainability plans have faced pushback.

Visitors stand in front of a painting by artist Prabhakar Pachpute on display during the 15th edition of Art Dubai.

Art Dubai embraces digital, NFTs, Global South

At Art Dubai, digital art and the Global South are spotlighted at the fair’s largest edition to date.

DONT USE - Gulf Pulse

A student uses a computer in a lab room at the IT training center in Morocco's central city of Khouribga on Nov. 17, 2020.

World Bank says Mideast, North Africa ripe for 'digital transformation'

Despite the regions' potential, the use of the internet for financial transactions is low in the Middle East and North Africa, according to a new World Bank report.

AL-MONITOR Staff

By AL-MONITOR Staff

Nanotech

Iran among world leaders in nanotechnology

The Islamic Republic has prioritized making products via nanotechnology, which refers to the production of materials and objects from molecules or atoms.

Plantish 3D-printed salmon

Israeli startup to 3D print salmon

The Jerusalem-based investment platform OurCrowd held an event on 3D printing, featuring several Israeli companies as well as popular Arab-Israeli vlogger Nas Daily.

Hanadi Abu Harbid stands next to the food dehydrator.

Gazan engineer creates solar food dehydrator

Engineer Hanadi Abu Harbid from the Gaza Strip has developed a food dehydrator that relies on solar power and locally available resources.

Egypt fintech

Regional entrepreneurs say Middle East well-suited for fintech growth

An Atlantic Council event highlighted how fintech can help traditional financial networks and professions in Egypt, Tunisia, and the Gulf.