Saudi Arabia - AL-MONITOR: The Middle Eastʼs leading independent news source since 2012

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Saudi Arabia

November 5, 2026

Riyadh 1:08 am

25°C

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Aramco begins expansion of oil export route bypassing Hormuz

The kingdom plans to expand the East-West Pipeline’s capacity to carry crude to as much as 10 million barrels per day.

Traders work on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange at the opening bell, New York City, Sept. 28, 2026.

Oil tops $114 as traders brace for Iran escalation after US midterms

On Friday, BP posted its highest profits in 18 years as a result of the Iran conflict, which has driven up oil and gas margins.

Latest News

Russian satellite data helped Yemen’s Houthis target Saudi Arabia: What to know

Security forces stand guard in front of a banner showing the Kaaba during a protest by supporters of the Houthi authorities against the Saudi intervention in Yemen and against Saudi Arabia's recent accusation that the Houthis fired at the holy city of Mecca, in Sanaa on Sept. 18, 2026.

Analysis

How wartime urgency pushed Iran to court Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Pakistan

A woman walks past a mural bearing the Iranian national flag

A correspondent in Tehran

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

Saudi oil infrastructure in crosshairs as Houthis claim Ras Tanura strike

BILAL QABALAN/AFP via Getty Images

Explainer

As parliament approves, what's driving Egypt's 'defensive' support to Saudi Arabia?

Egyptian soldiers man an infantry fighting vehicle

Samuel Wendel

Senior Analyst, Middle East Business & Tech

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

Adam Lucente

News and Business Correspondent

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

Jack Dutton

Chief Business Correspondent

In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech

Francesco Schiavi

In Bologna, reporting on security, defense, economy, governance

Sabena Siddiqui

In Karachi, reporting on South Asia, Middle East, Iran

Vanessa Ghanem

In Dubai, reporting on business, energy and politics

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Culture

Yemeni man arrested for dedicating pilgrimage to Queen Elizabeth

Saudi authorities said the Yemeni man seen in a video dedicating his umrah to the English queen was arrested simply for bringing a banner to a holy site.

Saudi economy

Saudi GDP quarterly growth rate reaches 10-year high

Saudi Arabia is investing in several sectors in its bid to diversify the economy, but oil remains a major driver of growth.

A general view of Saudi Aramco's Abqaiq oil processing plant on Sept. 20, 2019.

Oil prices fall following Saudi-backed OPEC+ production cut

The decrease in production could be a message from Saudi Arabia to the US over the Iran nuclear deal.

A general view during Netflix’s First Arabic Film “Perfect Strangers (ar) أصحاب … ولا أعز” on Jan. 17, 2022 at Bvlgari Yacht Club in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Culture

Gulf states warn Netflix over content that 'contradicts Islamic values'

The controversy follows some Gulf states cracking down on rainbow colors due to their resemblance to the LGBTQ pride flag, though the Gulf Cooperation Council did not mention what exactly the issue is with Netflix.

Hydrogen tank.

Saudi firm Alfanar to build green hydrogen plant in Egypt

Saudi Arabia is helping Egypt boost its renewable energy capabilities.

Saudi chemical

Saudi-India economic ties grow closer with mining agreement

Saudi Arabia is seeking to boost its mining sector, and India is a natural partner in this endeavor.

Saudi Arabia's army soldiers march during the Pakistan Day parade in Islamabad on March 23, 2022.

Saudi Arabia to invest $1 billion in Pakistan, following UAE and Qatar

Pakistan is seeking help from the Gulf amid its foreign currency reserves crisis.

A picture taken on Nov. 18, 2020, shows an electronic billboard bearing portraits.

Saudi Central Bank approves fintech companies Lean Technologies, Mod5r

Saudi Arabia recently launched a fintech strategy with the goal of becoming a regional hub for financial technology.

Negotiations between President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud took place in Jeddah Aug. 18, 2022.

Saudi Arabia strengthens ties with Uzbekistan via wind power, investment deals

Uzbekistan’s relations are also improving with the United Arab Emirates and Israel.

Sean Gallup/Getty Images

Saudi authorities find amphetamine pills in cleaning supplies

Smugglers continue to use creative methods to bring drugs into the kingdom, which struggles with amphetamine addiction.

Cliff Hawkins/Getty Images

Golf commentator who criticized Saudi-backed LIV Golf sued for defamation

The Golf Channel’s Brandel Chamblee has been one of the most virulent critics of LIV Golf and is now being sued by Patrick Reed, who plays for the breakaway tour.

Drew Angerer/Getty Images

Saudi Public Investment Fund acquires shares in Amazon, Google, Uber

The sovereign wealth fund led by the crown prince has shown a strong interest in technology such as video games.