Analysis Algeria hails new $60B energy plan but price slump threatens reform push The OPEC member recently held its first oil and gas licensing round in a decade, attracting significant international interest and awarding five of six onshore blocks, signaling progress in its energy ambitions despite ongoing challenges. By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Iran, Russia, Central Asia states ink Caspian Sea pact, plan naval drills The navies of Iran, Russia, Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan signed a comprehensive strategic cooperation agreement on Wednesday, aimed at strengthening security in the Caspian Sea basin as the four countries deepen their relations. Iran
World Bank ups Middle East 2025 economic outlook as oil, tourism rebound The lender expects gross domestic product growth in the region to average 2.8% this year, up from its April forecast of 2.6%. Iran
Supreme Court clears path for Turkey’s Halkbank trial over Iran sanctions The Turkish president personally raised the Halkbank case with US President Donald Trump at the White House, as Ankara pushes for a settlement to avoid a drawn-out legal battle. Turkey
Analysis Egypt’s renewable power jumps 34% as country tackles energy crunch By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Lebanese energy plan includes Syria A meeting of Jordanian, Egyptian, Lebanese and Syrian ministers seems to have cracked Syria's isolation. Jordan
Power struggle over oil threatens Libya's fragile transition process Oil production shutdowns are increasingly likely as several players in the sector push their own agenda. North Africa
Egypt, Jordan, Syria agree to export gas to crisis-stricken Lebanon Syria also agreed to transfer Jordanian electricity to Lebanon, while Iran already sent fuel. News Brief
Iranian tanker carrying fuel for Lebanon to dock in Syria Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah promised Iranian vessels would bring fuel to Lebanon amid its harrowing energy crisis. News Brief
Syrian oil spill could hit Cyprus soon The leakage came from a power plant in Syria's coastal city of Baniyas. News Brief
Russian rebuke of Turkey for Crimea support highlights Ankara's delicate balancing act Turkey's support for Crimea also highlights the growing value of Ukraine and Crimea for Ankara. Turkey
Iran, Hezbollah, Lebanon top Bennett's agenda with Biden Israel fears that Iran and Hezbollah will take advantage of the economic and political crisis in Lebanon to tighten their hold on the country. Israel
Egypt sends medical aid to Lebanon following fuel tank explosion At least 28 people who were trying to obtain fuel died when a tank exploded in northern Lebanon, prompting angry locals to burn the house of the site owner. By Al-Monitor Staff
Iran again denies involvement in Gulf maritime incident The British military said a bitumen tanker off the coast of the UAE experienced a "potential hijacking," prompting a denial from Iran. Israel and the UK also blamed Iran for a drone attack last week that killed two crew members on an oil tanker. DONT USE - Gulf Pulse
Amid Iranian gas shortage, Iraq searches for alternatives Iran's dilapidated gas infrastructure has limited its transfers to Iraq, adding to Iraq's own energy crisis. Iraq
Chinese oil companies fill void in Iraq As major Western oil companies reconsider their positions in Iraq, China is seizing the opportunities offered by their departure. Iraq
