IMF Hails Yemen’s Reforms, Supports its Recovery Path
The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on Saturday resumed Article IV consultations with the Yemeni legitimate government after 11 years. Reflecting the country’s improved institutional performance, this development is an important indicator of restoring channels of cooperatio»»»
Three tankers exit Hormuz hugging Omani coast
In what appears to be the first exit from the Persian Gulf by oil tankers without permission from Iran, three large vessels linked to Oman left the Strait of Hormuz by hugging the sultanate’s coastline, Bloomberg reported on April 3. »»»
IRGC has denied any link to the reported attack on US Embassy in Riyadh
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has denied involvement in the March 3 attack on the US embassy in Riyadh, describing the incident as an Israeli “false-flag operation” and warning regional states to remain vigilant against US and Israeli actions, according to newswire reports. »»»
US and Israel strike Iranian petrochemical hub, raising fears of supply shocks
The US and Israel struck Iran’s major petrochemical complex on April 4, damaging multiple facilities in the southern Mahshahr region and raising concerns over global supply disruptions in plastics and fertilisers. Various »»»
Emirates Global Aluminium won’t be fixed for a year
The Middle East’s largest aluminium producer has warned that it could take up to a year to fully restore output at a key facility in Abu Dhabi, following damage from an Iranian missile and drone attack. Bloomberg reported »»»
A war of miscalculations: How Trump may have made Iran richer than ever – Ya Libnan
Share: How did a war meant to weaken Iran end up enriching it? A flawed belief in regime collapse has backfired—risking a $500 billion windfall for Tehran. By : YA LIBNAN, OP.ED. “President Trump may have turned the Strait of Hormuz into the most profitable toll booth in the world—one that could ge»»»
Sisi hopes Trump will save Egypt from Iran war fallout
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi had good reason to issue his latest appeal to US President Donald Trump to end the US-Israeli war against Iran. Nevertheless, his doing so raised eyebrows. El-Sisi banked on Trump last year as Israel finally brought its ferocious war on Gaza to an end after t»»»
Houthis Threaten ‘Gradual Escalation’ after Fourth Attack on Israel
Yemen’s Houthi group has threatened “gradual escalation” after claiming a fourth attack on Israel, about a week after entering the war alongside Iran as part of the Tehran-led “axis of resistance.” The move comes as Yemen’s internationally recognized government steps up rhetoric, saying a decisive »»»
Gulf Islamic sukuk bond spreads hit five-year highs amid Iran war uncertainty
Yields on Gulf sovereign and corporate debt have surged to their widest spreads in five years as the war involving Iran drives a sharp reassessment of regional risk, according to Fitch Ratings. The agency said that “many G»»»
US influence in the Gulf fades as Qatar, Oman strike deals with Tehran
The US influence in the Gulf is fading as the war goes into its fifth week with no sign of ending and regional players are starting to cut deals with Tehran to end the attacks on their territories. Oman and Qatar are both »»»
Saudi Sadara petrochemical giant closed down creating a new plastics chokepoint
Sadara Chemical Company, the $20bn joint venture between Saudi Aramco (Tadawul: 2222) and Dow Chemical Company (DOW), has halted all production at its Jubail complex in eastern Saudi Arabia indefinitely without a shot being fired by Iran. »»»
Iran president Pezeshkian issues public letter to US public condemning US aggression
Iran’s president Masoud Pezeshkian has issued a public letter addressed to the American people, defending Tehran’s actions in the face of what he called, “US unprovoked aggression” and warned that further attacks on Iranian infrastructure would be met in kind. »»»
A long Iran war will lead to severe shortages, says Oxford Economics
A sustained escalation of the US/Israel–Iran conflict could push global oil markets beyond a price shock into severe physical shortages, with rationing, supply chain disruption and recessionary pressures becoming increasingly likely, according to a note from Oxford Economics. »»»
Cost of living shock deepens as energy crisis hits G7 spending – Oxford Economics
A surge in energy prices following the escalation of the Iran conflict is intensifying the cost-of-living crisis across the G7, dragging consumer spending growth to its weakest level since 2022, according to a note by Ryan Sweet, Chief Global Economist at Oxford Economics. »»»
Between war and peace: will Iraq cross the Rubicon?
Since October 2023, the Middle East and North Africa have been set ablaze, with war coming to Gaza, Israel, Lebanon, Yemen, Sudan, Syria, and Iran, to name but a few. In large part, Iraqis felt that they had been dodging bullets, miraculously emerging mainly unscathed amidst the mayhem. In recent w»»»
Gulf states should steer clear of attritional war traps
Israel may have begun by waging war on Gaza, but it didn't end there. In the years that followed October 7 2023, Israel has unleashed its war machine on Lebanon, Syria, Yemen, and now Iran, in a systematic attempt to redraw the region’s map by force. Once hypothetical scenarios have become a fast-m»»»
UAE air defences intercept 5 ballistic missiles, 35 UAVs
ABU DHABI: The UAE air defences on Wednesday intercepted 5 ballistic missiles and 35 UAVs launched from Iran. Since the start of the blatant Iranian attacks, UAE air defences have engaged 438 ballistic missiles, 19 cruise missiles and 2,012 UAVs. The attacks resulted in the martyrdom of 2 members o»»»
The Observers - Bedouins in Israel’s Negev desert face bomb shelter shortage
As Iranian and Hezbollah air strikes on Israel continue, tens of thousands of Bedouins living in the country’s southern Negev desert have no access to shelters. While some NGOs are attempting to install mobile shelters, they are primarily calling on the government to take action, denouncing "discri»»»
ADCMC, Abu Dhabi Youth Council launch new initiative
The Emergencies, Crises and Disasters Management Centre Abu Dhabi (ADCMC), in collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Youth Council, has launched the “Abu Dhabi Youth in Emergency Response” initiative. It aims to strengthen preparedness and reinforce the role of society as an active partner in the respons»»»
Houthi Red Sea attacks could drive oil to $140, Bloomberg Economics says
Global oil prices could surge to $140 per barrel if Houthi rebels target shipping in the Red Sea, potentially worsening what is already considered the largest energy disruption in history, according to a report by Bloomberg Economics. Analysts Dina Esfandiary, Ziad Daoud, and Becca Wasser estimate »»»
Houthi Schools in Yemen Turned into Early Recruitment Camps
Since rising to power in 2014, Yemen’s Houthi movement, Ansar Allah, has systematically entrenched itself within the education system, rewriting curricula, renaming schools, and embedding ideological programs. Classrooms have become a frontline in a broader struggle over identity and influence, and»»»
UAE: New rules for remote working
Working from home in the UAE does not translate into lighter rules or more flexible obligations. Behind the convenience of remote setups lies a framework just as firm as that governing office-based roles — where employees remain bound by the same working hours, performance benchmarks and legal resp»»»
Is Trump going to abandon the Iran war?
Is US President Donald Trump the war in Iran? Having failed to meet any of his as yet unstated objectives Trump is clearly frustrated and contemplating giving up on an unwinnable war. Adding to his problems, Washington’s a»»»
Iran, Yemen's Houthis and Hezbollah launch joint missile strike on Israel
Yemen's armed forces carried out a joint missile attack with Iran and Hezbollah on targets in southern Israel, Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree announced on March 31, describing it as the third operation in what the group calls the "Sacred Jihad Battle." »»»
Iran, Yemen's Houthis and Hezbollah launch joint missile strike on Israel
Yemen's armed forces carried out a joint missile attack with Iran and Hezbollah on targets in southern Israel, Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree announced on March 31, describing it as the third operation in what the group calls the "Sacred Jihad Battle." »»»
Iran, Yemen's Houthis and Hezbollah launch joint missile strike on Israel
Yemen's armed forces carried out a joint missile attack with Iran and Hezbollah on targets in southern Israel, Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree announced on March 31, describing it as the third operation in what the group calls the "Sacred Jihad Battle." »»»
Iran, Yemen's Houthis and Hezbollah launch joint missile strike on Israel
Yemen's armed forces carried out a joint missile attack with Iran and Hezbollah on targets in southern Israel, Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree announced on March 31, describing it as the third operation in what the group calls the "Sacred Jihad Battle." »»»
Iran, Yemen's Houthis and Hezbollah launch joint missile strike on Israel
Yemen's armed forces carried out a joint missile attack with Iran and Hezbollah on targets in southern Israel, Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree announced on March 31, describing it as the third operation in what the group calls the "Sacred Jihad Battle." »»»
Yemen’s Houthis claim joint attack with Iran and Hezbollah on Israel
Yemen's Houthis on Wednesday claimed a missile attack targeting Israel that they said was launched jointly with their backer Iran and Lebanon's Hezbollah group -- the third such attack by the Houthis since they entered the Middle East war. The Iranian-backed Houthis in Yemen said Wednesday they fir»»»
Yemen's Houthis claim joint Iran-Hezbollah attack on Israel
Yemen's Houthis on Wednesday claimed a missile attack targeting Israel that they said was launched jointly with their backer Iran and Lebanon's Hezbollah group -- the third such attack by the Houthis since they entered the Middle East war. The Iranian-backed Houthis in Yemen said Wednesday they fir»»»
Official: Yemen’s Arabian Sea Ports Poised to Become Global Logistics Hubs
A Yemeni maritime official said ports along the Arabian Sea are capable of becoming global logistics hubs, citing their competitive advantages and capacity to handle various types of commercial vessels, particularly container ships and general cargo vessels, as well as dry and liquid bulk carriers.»»»
Yemen's Houthis Claim 3rd Missile Attack Targeting Israel
Yemen's Houthis on Wednesday claimed a missile attack against Israel that they said was launched jointly with their backer Iran and Lebanon's Hezbollah group -- the third such attack by the militias since they entered the Middle East war. Earlier on Wednesday, Israel's military said its air defense»»»
Israel Deploys AI Agents Across Multiple Fronts
The Israeli Army has begun deploying “AI agents” to detect missile launchers, generate real-time aerial intelligence and sharpen strike speed and precision across multiple fronts, officials told Haaretz and the Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper on Tuesday. “The pace, scope and precision of strikes — as we»»»
China and Pakistan issue five-point peace plan for Gulf and Middle East
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar met in Beijing on March 31 and issued a joint five-point initiative calling for an immediate ceasefire and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. »»»
Residents can now generate their own power as Abu Dhabi expands solar policy
The Department of Energy – Abu Dhabi has launched the second phase of its Solar Self-Supply Policy, expanding its scope for the first time to include the residential sector across the Emirate. The move enables villa owners and residential building occupants, where applicable, to generate, store, an»»»
Q1 2026 results reinforce Abu Dhabi’s leadership in the healthcare sector
During the first quarter of 2026, Abu Dhabi achieved a series of landmark medical and scientific breakthroughs, reflecting the rapid advancement of its healthcare ecosystem and reinforcing its position as a regional and global hub for medical innovation and the adoption of cutting-edge therapeutic »»»
11 killed, 188 injured since the start of Iranian attacks on the UAE
Abu Dhabi: UAE Air Defence Systems intercepted a new wave of missiles and drones on March 31, with the Ministry of Defence engaging eight ballistic missiles, four cruise missiles and 36 unmanned aerial vehicles launched from Iran. The latest incident brings the total number of projectiles intercept»»»
COMMENT: An Iran embargo won't send oil to $200
A chorus of analysts and traders have spent recent weeks warning that oil prices will drift inexorably higher as tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remains disrupted. Robin J Brooks, Former IMF economist, begs to differ — and he has the data to make his case. »»»
Houthis join Iran in Middle East war, threaten Red Sea shipping
The Yemeni-based Houthi movement on Saturday announced its formal entry into the conflict in the Middle East. The group has proclaimed its full support for Iran and other “resistance” factions across the region faced with US-Israeli aggression. The group condemned the “atrocities” committed by the »»»
Seoul stocks dip over 4 pct amid escalating Middle East conflict - UPI.com
This photo, taken Tuesday, shows the trading room of Hana Bank in central Seoul as South Korean stocks plunged more than 4 percent and the won fell to a 17-year low over Middle East concerns. Photo by Yonhap Seoul stocks fell over 4 percent Tuesday, weighed by heavy foreign selling, as U.S. Preside»»»
China emerges as Iran war safe haven
China is emerging as a safe haven for investors seeking refuge from the Iran war storm. The economy is stable with the manufacturing PMI index flat of up in March and the stock market is outperforming most other major mark»»»
After the Iran war, how fast could global trade recover?
TradeMiddle EastAfter the Iran war, how fast could global trade recover?Nik MartinThe Iran war could end soon or drag on for months. When the Strait of Hormuz is reopened, the true test will be how quickly energy, fertilizer and other supply chains can bounce back. https://p.dw.com/p/5B69iEven cont»»»
Oil rises on Trump's Iran threats, stocks take cue on talks
LONDON — Oil prices rose as the Middle East crisis escalated with the entry of Houthi rebels into the war and as US President Donald Trump threatened to destroy Iran's main export terminal.However European and US stocks rose as markets focused on Trump's comments on negotiations to end the fighting»»»
IMF: How the war in the Middle East is affecting energy, trade, and finance
Energy prices, supply chains, and financial markets are the main transmission channels, but the regional effects will vary significantly. The world faces yet another shock. The war in the Middle East is upending lives and »»»
‘Get Used to New Regional Order’ Says Head of Iran’s Quds Force
The commander of the foreign operations branch of Iran's Revolutionary Guards issued a rare message on Monday hailing Iranian proxy groups for helping create a "new regional order". Esmail Qaani became head of the Guards' Quds Force after the killing of Qassem Soleimani in a US strike in Iraq in 20»»»
Bab al-Mandab strait: Iran’s Houthi allies enter the conflict, raising fears over key trade route
As Iran’s Houthi allies enter the conflict, Iran has threatened to disrupt shipping in the Bab al-Mandab Strait – a strategic waterway linking the Gulf of Aden to the Red Sea and the Suez Canal – with the help of its Houthi allies in Yemen. While disruptions in the Strait o»»»
Trump threatens to destroy Iran’s Kharg Island oil hub if no deal reached
US President Donald Trump on Monday threatened to destroy Iran’s key oil export hub at Kharg Island and other critical infrastructure unless Tehran swiftly agrees to a deal to end the US-Israeli war, sharply escalating tensions in an already volatile region. The warning has rattled global energy ma»»»
Kuwait accuses Iran of targeting power and desalination facility
Kuwait has accused Iran of carrying out a “heinous attack” on one of its combined power and desalination plants on Sunday. Like much of the Middle East, the nation depends heavily on industrial production to meet its freshwater needs. What happened?The purported Iranian strike killed one worker – a»»»
Israel now occupies more of Lebanon than Russia does of Ukraine
Israel has occupied more of Lebanon’s territory after three weeks of fighting than Russia controls of Ukraine after four years of war. In the initial attack, Israeli forces quickly occupied the strip of land in southern Le»»»
Iran’s shadow fleet and shadow banks keeps the money pouring in
Iran has doubled its oil exports since the start of Operation Epic Fury, sustaining flows of between 2.4mn and 2.8mn barrels per day (b/d), including 1.5mn to 1.8mn b/d of crude. It has also doubled the amount of money it’s earning, The Economist reports. »»»