Explainer After UAE and Qatar, could Iraq be next to leave OPEC? Iraq is seeking a higher production quota as the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz has slashed oil revenues and plunged the country into a fiscal crisis. Iraq
Explainer Syria’s energy push could soon get a major boost from Chevron: What to know The country's leaders are seeking to translate a flurry of oil and gas agreements into concrete investments and rebuild an industry devastated by more than a decade of war, sanctions and isolation. Syria
Oil falls below $74 as Hormuz traffic recovers after Iran war Brent crude, the international benchmark for oil prices, was trading at $73.81 a barrel at 10:40 a.m. EDT, down 4.2% from Tuesday's close. Iran
Explainer Hormuz tolls, frozen funds pose early tests for US-Iran peace progress Early cracks are beginning to show following last week’s US-Iran deal announcement even as both sides move ahead with steps toward ending the four-month conflict. Iran
French foreign minister: Turkey and France have a ‘verbal cease-fire’ Jean-Yves Le Drian told a French TV station there is still a long way to go to improve Turkey-France relations, mentioning Syria, Libya and the eastern Mediterranean. The French and Turkish presidents had a cordial meeting earlier this week. News Brief
Rise in Iraqi cancer cases may be linked to wars, environment The causes of the spike may be linked to Iraq's wars or environmental pollution, but the evidence is sketchy. Iraq
Egypt expands role in Iraqi reconstruction by building bridges in Mosul Egypt is seeking to expand its participation in the reconstruction of Iraq amid a growing alliance between Baghdad, Amman and Cairo. Egypt
Iran expects to restore oil output within month of US lifting sanctions A senior official at the National Iranian Oil Company said that if the United States lifts sanctions on Iran, the country expects to restore its crude oil output to pre-sanctions levels in a matter of months. Iran
Turkey's Erdogan announces natural gas discovery in Black Sea Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said the Fatih drilling ship had found 135 billion cubic meters of natural gas in the Sakarya gas field. News Brief
UN urges Houthis to permit inspection of aging oil tanker The Houthis, who control access to the FSO Safer, have prevented the UN from sending a technical team to assess the risk of a potential massive oil spill. Yemen
As GCC turns 40, all eyes on post-oil era The GCC alliance hopes for greater future economic growth in the Gulf. Legacy: Gulf
Egypt sets conditions for full normalization with Turkey Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry laid down several conditions that would serve as a basis for normalizing ties with Turkey, in light of the recent attempts at rapprochement between the two countries. Egypt
Biden administration poised to ax US oil company’s waiver for Kurdish-led northeast Syria The decision to withdraw the waiver to produce and sell oil in Syria has been presented by administration officials as a policy correction, not a shift. Syria
Fire breaks out at Kuwait's largest oil field Two workers were injured at the Greater Burgan field in southeast Kuwait. News Brief
Egypt rolls out $1 billion for oil exploration in Western Desert Egyptian companies are planning more than $1 billion in investments in the oil and natural gas sector in the Western Desert region. Egypt
Saudi oil company Aramco reports profit increase for start of 2021 The Saudi state-owned oil company's profits went up 30% due to the improved global economy amid the continued COVID-19 pandemic, according to its CEO. DONT USE - Gulf Pulse
