Oil falls below $80 as markets rally on Iran-US peace deal: What to know Brent crude futures, the international benchmark for oil prices, fell around 3.15% to $79.99 as of 6:55 a.m. EDT on Monday. Iran
Analysis Gulf aluminum pursues global deals as Hormuz crisis accelerates shift Gulf aluminum exporters are targeting global deals amid fallout from the US-Israel-Iran war, which has pushed prices to multiyear highs in early June. By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Saudi Arabia lifts 5-year ban on Lebanon imports: What to know Saudi Arabia had been a main donor for Lebanon before ties strained during Hezbollah’s rising influence in the country. Lebanon
Suez Canal traffic soars as Hormuz disruptions reroute energy trade The canal generated $419 million in revenue in April, up 27% year over year. Egypt
Analysis Turkey pushes Iraq, Syria trade routes as Hormuz crisis disrupts Gulf shipping By Barin Kayaoglu In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security
Can Iranian sovereign crypto-rial loosen sanctions straitjacket? The United States is gearing up to sanction Iran’s sovereign cryptocurrency in anticipation of its introduction. Russia
Afcon soccer tourney gives Egypt chance for glory both on, off field Egypt is getting only a small amount of time to prepare for Afcon 2019, but the major soccer tournament could pay off big time. Egypt
Expect trade activity boost between Egypt, Gaza Strip Egypt and Hamas are exploring trade options, including a new border crossing, that would skirt Israel and the Palestinian Authority. Palestine
Why Iran must shake up its approach to state-owned enterprises While the government’s general budget grabs the most attention in Iranian media, it is high time for Iran to revise the way it approaches the dilemma of the vast number of uncompetitive state-owned enterprises. Iran
Privatization of Turkish military factory draws strong criticism The lease of the Turkish military’s prominent tank factory to the private company BMC has stirred fierce criticism. Qatar
US sanctions hit Iranian students seeking bank accounts in Europe While Europe says it remains committed to the nuclear deal with Iran, the US withdrawal from the accord has created overcompliance with sanctions among banks that has made life difficult for Iranian students in Europe; however, Iranian students in the United States tell Al-Monitor they have not experienced such difficulties. United States
Syria issues coins to replace banknotes worth about a dime Given the inflation rate and the collapse of the Syrian currency, the Central Bank of Syria issues a new 50-pound coin (worth about 10 US cents) to save on high printing (and reprinting) costs for banknotes. Syria
Cairo food carts get street of their own Street carts selling food, books and handmade products come together on Cairo's Street 306, a new, hip space that could become the Arab world's largest food venue. Egypt
What’s next for Lebanon’s yellow vests? Analysts believe the momentum recently seen in protests against Lebanon’s state incompetence will die out, as people are losing hope. Lebanon
Report slams Jordanian governments for gross failure Jordan’s Economic and Social Council issued a report that highlighted the failure of Jordanian governments over the past 18 years to live up to their promises and meet the people’s economic needs. Jordan
Istanbul, the flashpoint of Turkey’s crisis and looming elections Turkey’s commercial capital, Istanbul, is in the grips of economic turmoil, which raises the prospect of the city’s local administration changing hands after more than two decades of dominance by political Islam. Turkey
Egyptian silk producers hope to spin profits Egypt hopes that removing tariffs on the import of silkworms will encourage young entrepreneurs to cultivate them to help meet local demand. Egypt
