Oil and gas

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, right, meets with US Ambassador to Turkey and Special Envoy to Syria Tom Barrack, in Baabda, east of Beirut, July 7, 2025.

Analysis

Lebanon key to Trump plan for turnaround in Middle East

The final "This Week" column reflects on US policy toward Lebanon, Syria, Iraq and Gaza.

Andrew Parasiliti

By Andrew Parasiliti

In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, national security

Oil tankers and cranes at Merchants Harbor, Saint Petersburg, Russia.

Analysis

As Trump plays Russia oil sanctions gambit, will Middle East profit or pay?

A potential US crackdown on Russian oil buyers could disrupt global trade flows — and the Middle East stands to both benefit and lose.

Samuel Wendel

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

adnoc

Landmark $18.7B Santos-ADNOC takeover delayed: What to know

Santos said in a statement that the due diligence period, initially set for six weeks, has been extended until Aug. 22.

United Arab Emirates

A view of the platform of the Leviathan natural gas field in the Mediterranean Sea is pictured from the Israeli northern coastal beach of Nahsholim, on Aug. 29, 2022.

$35B gas deal underscores Egypt’s energy reliance on Israel despite Gaza tensions

Israel and Egypt have finalized a $35 billion gas deal that will double Israeli gas exports by 2029, highlighting Cairo’s growing energy dependence on its neighbor, even as political tensions rise over Gaza.

Latest News

China's oil imports fall 5.4% as Iranian flows recede from June highs

A ship loaded with oil docks at a pier with the help of a tugboat at the port of Qingdao, in eastern China's Shandong province on June 12, 2025.

UAE president heads to Russia to meet Putin as ties grow: What to know

In this pool photograph distributed by the Russian state agency Sputnik, Russia's President Vladimir Putin (R) meets with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed bin Sultan al-Nahyan (L) at the Novo-Ogaryovo state residence outside Moscow on October 20, 2024. (Photo by Artem Geodakyan / POOL / AFP) (Photo by ARTEM GEODAKYAN/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

United Arab Emirates

Iran to close public offices as temperatures pass 105 F: What to know

An Iranian taxi driver cools down by splashing water on his face on a street amid soaring temperatures in Tehran on July 22, 2025.

Aramco's Q2 profits fall 22% as lower oil prices weigh on earnings

FAYEZ NURELDINE/AFP via Getty Images

ALEXANDER ZEMLIANICHENKO/AFP via Getty Images

Saudi Arabia imports record volumes of discounted Russian fuel oil in June

Europe used to be the top market for Russian oil and petroleum products but all that has changed since Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

KARIM JAAFAR/AFP via Getty Images

Analysis

Qatar leans east to achieve 40% global LNG output by 2029

Qatar took steps last year to maintain its lead in the LNG market and increase future output with the approval of expansion projects set to raise production by 64% to 126 million tons per year by 2027.

By Salim A. Essaid

Saudi Minister of Energy Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman al-Saud arrives for the 186th Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) meeting in Vienna on June 3, 2023. (Photo by JOE KLAMAR / AFP) (Photo by JOE KLAMAR/AFP via Getty Images)

OPEC oil export revenues surpass $870 billion, highest in decade

The revenues from the Organization of Oil Petroleum Exporting Countries peaked in 2012, when they reached $1.2 trillion.

Security ship crew members of Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries monitor radar during a patrol in the South China Sea, Natuna, Ranai, Indonesia, Aug. 17, 2016.

Indonesia seizes Iran-flagged ship suspected of transferring oil illegally

The 26-year-old tanker was seized and its crew were detained after the vessel was spotted in Indonesia’s North Natuna Sea, suspected of moving oil to Cameroon-flagged MT S Tinos without a permit on Friday.

Basra Oil Company's Director General Bassem Abdul Karim (R).

In Iraq and Algeria, TotalEnergies signs major deals

The deal between Iraq and TotalEnergies has been delayed for years and aims to help Iraq fix its longstanding power issues.

Iranian Revolutionary Guard speedboats cruise past an oil tanker off the port of Bandar Abbas, southern Iran, on July 2, 2012. Iran has come up with several methods to foil the European insurance embargo on ships loaded with its crude, a sanction which may harm its vital exports as much as the EU oil embargo itself. AFP PHOTO/ATTA KENARE (Photo credit should read ATTA KENARE/AFP/GettyImages)

US confirms Iran’s IRGC seized tanker smuggling fuel in Gulf

The seizure by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps came just a day the US Navy thwarted attempts by Iran's navy to seize two commercial tankers in the Gulf of Oman.

A picture taken on October 13, 2021 shows Kuwait's largest oil refinery at the Al-Ahmadi complex, about 40 kilometres (25 miles) south of the capital Kuwait City. - A fire broke out on October 18, 2021 in Al-Ahmadi refinery, with no interruptions to site operations or petrol exports. The fire was reported at the site of Mina al-Ahmadi, located on the Gulf coast just opposite Iran, according to an AFP photojournalist. (Photo by AFP) (Photo by -/AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

Saudi Arabia, Kuwait's gas dispute with Iran tests recent detente

Kuwait and Saudi Arabia consider the Durra gas field to be theirs, but Iran claims a part of it. The issue shows disagreements remain between Riyadh and Tehran following the resumption of diplomatic relations.

Adam Lucente

By Adam Lucente

In New York City, reporting on regional news, militancy, climate change

ALEX HALADA/AFP via Getty Images

Iran boasts to OPEC of growing crude sales despite sanctions

Iran's top energy official told oil-exporting nations that the Islamic Republic is in good shape bypassing sanctions to sell its lifeline product as he advertised an attractive investment market in his country.

AFP via Getty Images

Analysts skeptical new Iran-US arrangement would significantly impact oil market

Tehran has been increasing its output over the last year despite the sanctions on its oil industry.

This picture taken from the sea of Dubai on March 3, 2021 shows the skyline of the Gulf emirate with Burj Khalifa in the centre.

UAE breaks foreign direct investment record as Saudi Arabia sees 59% dip

Israel and the United Arab Emirates led the Middle East and North Africa for the highest FDI inflow — the purchasing of assets in another country — and globally placed 15th and 16th, respectively, according to a UNCTAD report released Wednesday.

United Arab Emirates

Sultan Al Jaber

UAE COP28 president calls on oil firms to 'deliver climate action'

Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber gave a televised address to delegates at the OPEC International Seminar in Vienna, a meeting of oil executives and OPEC ministers.

United Arab Emirates

Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen meets with Greek Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis, Athens, July 6 2023

Israel’s FM Cohen discusses Iran threat, energy cooperation in Greece

Israel’s Foreign Minister Eli Cohen met Thursday with newly his appointed Greek counterpart Giorgos Gerapetritis.