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
Egypt eyes bigger exports to Arab, African markets Egypt has announced the imminent launch of a free zone in Nuweiba, the first in the Sinai Peninsula, and experts believe such a project will boost economic ties with Saudi Arabia and increase Egyptian exports. Saudi Arabia
Will Egyptian move to curb imports stoke inflation? Egyptian authorities floated the customs foreign exchange rate for non-basic commodities in a move aimed at curbing imports and demand for the US dollar while hopefully boosting local production of substitutes. Egypt
Turkey’s complex balancing act between Russia and Ukraine President Erdogan’s desire to mediate between Moscow and Kiev is confounded by Turkish policies in Crimea and Russian separatism in eastern Ukraine. Turkey
Asia buoys Iran as US sanctions hit Iran is still selling considerable quantities of oil to China, Japan, India and South Korea thanks to US waivers and other mechanisms to circumvent sanctions. Iraq
Why Turkey will protect trade with Iran from US sanctions The warming of ties between Iran and Turkey in recent years, coupled with the changing regional landscape, is likely to keep bilateral trade largely impervious to US sanctions. Turkey
Why Iran’s currency repatriation rules threaten rising exports Iranian exports have enjoyed a boost due to the weaker rial in recent months, but the country’s private sector says the mandatory currency repatriation mechanism devised by the central bank threatens legitimate exports. Iran
Putin eyes visit to Baghdad amid growing Russian-Iraqi contacts Contacts between Moscow and Baghdad have increased lately and President Putin may visit Iraq early next year. Iraq
Egypt grapples with economic decisions amid high inflation rates The Monetary Policy Committee of the Central Bank of Egypt decided to hold key interest rates for the fifth consecutive quarter, which raised questions about the government's ability to lower the high inflation rate. Egypt
Syria has high hopes for ties with Crimea — maybe too high? Damascus expects to take part in Crimea’s Yalta International Economic Forum next year, aiming to boost trade and economic relations. Syria
Iranian pension funds on brink absent major reforms Iran’s main pension funds appear to be in dire need of prompt reform in order to survive without government bailouts. Iran
Iraq’s governorates reject 2019 draft budget Iraq's 2019 draft budget is the target of major criticism by the Iraqi governorates and Kurdistan Region for not fulfilling their needs and demands. Iraq
Morocco eyes privatization to fill its budget deficit The 2019 finance bill shows a return of the privatization process in Morocco as a step in the direction of opening up the economy, but economists believe this is the ultimate proof of a failing fiscal policy. Morocco
