Banking and Finance

People gather under a large portrait of Iran's new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, during a memorial to mark the 40th day since his father, Ali Ayatollah Khamenei, was killed in US-Israeli joint strikes, on April 9, 2026, in Tehran, Iran.

Analysis

Ceasefire without relief: How Iranians are grappling with post-war repression

Despite the ceasefire, pressure is mounting inside Iran: arrests are rising, the internet remains largely shut down, and millions face deep economic uncertainty.

A correspondent in Tehran

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

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

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

Firms listed as potential targets included Oracle, Microsoft, Apple, Google, Meta, IBM, Palantir and Nvidia, while banking giant JPMorgan and UAE-based AI firm G42 were also listed.

AFP via Getty Images

UAE steps in to support banks as war pressure builds: What to know

The United Arab Emirates' banks have seen their stocks plummet since the war erupted on Feb. 28.

United Arab Emirates

The city skyline is pictued in Dubai on March 11, 2026. The oil-rich Gulf has borne the brunt of Iran's attacks in response to US-Israeli strikes that sparked the Middle East war, with Tehran targeting US assets but also civilian infrastructure. (Photo by Giuseppe CACACE / AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

Iran war tests Gulf dealmaking as foreign investors assess risks

A multibillion-dollar pipeline sale in Kuwait has emerged as one of the early signs that the Gulf’s dealmaking machine is taking a hit from the US-Israel-Iran war.

Samuel Wendel

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

Latest News

Analysis

How long can markets hold their bet on Gulf resilience as war drags on?

The city skyline is pictured in Dubai on March 11, 2026.

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

Group of 32 states to release 400M barrels of oil reserves: What to know

Sakis Mitrolidis / AFP via Getty Images

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

UAE to freeze billions in Iranian assets following strikes

Christopher Pike/Getty Images

United Arab Emirates

What US-Iran war means for oil prices, shipping and global markets

A cargo ship is pictured off the coast of Fujairah in the Strait of Hormuz, in the northern emirate, Feb. 25, 2026.

This picture taken on Jan. 13, 2022, shows a view of the Shubra al-Kheima natural gas electrical power station.

Saudi Arabia secures funding for electricity interconnection with Egypt

Egypt just approved a plan to ration electricity, though the government said there is not a shortage of power.

A general view of the Egyptian Stock Market in Cairo on Jan. 6, 2013.

Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund acquires stakes in Egyptian state-owned firms

The acquisitions help make good on Saudi Arabia’s pledge to invest billions in Egypt.

Turkey’s current account gap widens, with no respite in sight for the lira

The Turkish lira is likely to tumble further in the coming months as the country’s current account gap threatens to grow beyond $40 billion by the end of the year.

Army soldiers gather near a Federal Bank branch, Beirut, Lebanon, Aug. 11, 2022.

Breaking | Last Updated: August 17, 2022, 12:21 pm

Reports: armed man who held bank hostage in Lebanon now in custody

Lebanese cannot access most of their savings amid the worsening economic meltdown.

People walk past a currency exchange shop displaying a giant US dollar banknote in downtown Cairo on Nov. 3, 2016.

Here's how the latest US rate hike will impact Egypt's economy

A stronger US dollar will inevitably drive higher import costs, and subsequently prices, in the most populous Arab country, yet could eventually provide a boost to the local currency with an increase in exports.

A boy looks at the coins displayed at the exhibition Coins through the Ages at the Egyptian Museum in Cairo, on Aug. 10, 2010.

Downward spiral causes crash in Egypt’s gold prices

Gold prices sharply dropped in Egypt amid a drop of global prices after the US Federal Reserve hiked interest rates.

Price tags are seen on a market shelf of fresh fruit and vegetables on May 05, 2022, in Istanbul, Turkey.

Turkey raises inflation forecasts

The Turkish lira is also again falling close to historically low levels against the US dollar.

Dubai skyline

UAE Central Bank announces more sanctions

The Emirates is seeking to improve its record on financial transparency after being implicated in money laundering and sanctions evasion controversies.

Obsolete Turkish lira banknotes.

How realistic are Ankara’s hopes of trading in Turkish liras?

While the Turkish lira continues to tumble, Turkey’s currency swaps with China and other countries have failed to live up to their stated objective of boosting trade in local currencies, official data show.

MENAHEM KAHANA/AFP via Getty Images

Israeli banking reforms to facilitate fintech growth

Israeli banking authorities are advance reforms to open Israel’s credit market and render it much more competitive.

egypt fintech

Egypt’s growing fintech ecosystem transforms country’s finances

A population of over 100 million, young, largely unbanked, with a high penetration of internet and mobile subscriptions paves the way for innovation in Egypt's fintech sector.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan attend a welcome ceremony at Al-Watan presidential palace, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Nov. 14, 2019.

Abu Dhabi port operator acquires stake in Egyptian shipping firms

Gulf countries are interested in buying Egyptian assets as the country’s economy falters.