Analysis Turkey pushes Iraq, Syria trade routes as Hormuz crisis disrupts Gulf shipping Turkey is using the Hormuz crisis to promote Iraq- and Syria-based Gulf-Europe corridors, but experts say the routes remain too costly, underbuilt and politically fragile to rival maritime shipping. By Barin Kayaoglu In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security
Algeria begins work on Trans-Saharan gas pipeline to Europe Algerian state-owned energy giant Sonatrach will build a section of the pipeline and connect it to an existing system in the southwestern Aoulef region that supplies Europe. Algeria
Explainer How Iran war created unexpected economic beneficiaries The Strait of Hormuz crisis is reshaping global energy and trade flows, creating opportunities for economies far beyond the Middle East. Oman
UAE eyes first multifuel pipeline as Hormuz crisis drags on State-owned Abu Dhabi National Oil Company is considering building a refined oil products pipeline that bypasses the Strait of Hormuz. United Arab Emirates
Exclusive Trump 'hit the brakes': Netanyahu's circle faults US president for failed Iran regime change, looming deal By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Netanyahu fears being left out as Trump pursues Iran diplomacy Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he was not surprised by President Donald Trump’s suspension of Project Freedom and move toward talks with Iran, but analysts say Washington may not be fully weighing Israel's concerns in negotiations with Tehran. Israel
Egypt ramps up energy investments amid war-driven price pressures Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly said Wednesday that Egypt has secured commitments exceeding $19 billion from international oil companies over the next three years. Egypt
Iran president says he held official meeting with Mojtaba Khamenei: What to know The president’s announcement marks the first public confirmation of a meeting between a senior official and Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, who has not been seen publicly since the start of the war. Iran
US, Iran move toward deal framework after Trump halts Hormuz operation Iran said it is reviewing the US proposal and will relay its response through mediator Pakistan. By Elizabeth Hagedorn In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, human rights
Few ships pass Hormuz despite US efforts to break Iran's hold Only four commercial vessels had transited the strait in the 24 hours before Tuesday morning, according to ship-tracking data. Iran
Iran-linked group claims stabbing in Jewish area in London: What to know Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamiya has been linked to a number of attacks on Jewish targets in Europe, as well as an anti-regime Iranian news outlet. Iran
Why UAE's decision to leave OPEC is major shift for cartel The UAE accounts for 12% of OPEC's output, but tensions had been simmering over intragroup rivalries and the country wanting to export more oil. United Arab Emirates
Turkey’s military spending jumps to $30B, leads Mideast growth in 2025 Newly released data shows Ankara’s military spending hit $30 billion, while Saudi Arabia remained the region’s top spender and Israel’s outlays declined in 2025. Turkey
Pistachios reach highest prices in eight years amid Iran war Pistachio prices rose to around $4.57 a pound in March, their highest since 2018, according to data company Expana. Iran
Iran FM meets Putin, Russia’s military intel chief as talks stall: What to know Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi headed to Russia following visits to Pakistan and Oman over the weekend as talks with Washington are at a standstill. Iran
Why did the Met Opera lose its Saudi funding deal? The deal, announced as a nonbinding memorandum of understanding last September, would have seen the PIF inject up to $200 million into the opera institution over the next eight years. Saudi Arabia
