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

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Saudi Arabia

November 5, 2026

Riyadh 3:50 am

24°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

FAYEZ NURELDINE/AFP via Getty Images

Robots to help Muslim pilgrims at holy sites in Saudi Arabia

The robots will explain prayer rituals in Mecca and Medina in multiple languages, according to Saudi religious authorities.

Christian Marquardt/Getty Images

Shareholder Saudi prince rejects Elon Musk’s bid to buy Twitter

Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, one of the largest shareholders of the social media giant, believes Twitter is worth more than Musk is offering.

Captagon tablets

Saudi Arabia finds amphetamines hidden in elevator parts

Citizens of Syria, Egypt and two locals were arrested in relation to the incident, according to state media.

Khamenei

As dialogue falters, Khamenei says 'no possibility' of Saudi victory in Yemen

The comments on Twitter by the supreme leader follow the suspension of talks between Iran and Saudi Arabia.

Guests attend the Global AI 2020 Summit in the Saudi capital, Riyadh, on Oct. 21, 2020.

Saudi Aramco pursues diversification with artificial intelligence center

The Saudi energy giant is flush with cash from oil sales abroad.

captagon

Saudi Arabia confiscates more Captagon pills at Jordan border

Saudi authorities have promised to crackdown on drug smuggling, which they have blamed on Hezbollah.

Guests attend the opening ceremony of the annual Future Investment Initiative conference.

Saudi Arabia announces $600 million in new investment from startups, venture capitalist

Foreign direct investment in Saudi Arabia slowed later in 2021 after a promising start, and some entities are reluctant to invest there due to the human rights situation.

A Saudi Arabian airlines Saudia plane is pictured on the tarmac of the Ataturk Airport on April 4, 2019, in Istanbul.

Saudi Arabia resumes visa on arrival for US, EU visa holders

The kingdom greatly relaxed its visa rules before the pandemic in an effort to boost tourism.

Saudi economy

Saudi Arabian export stats show mixed results in non-oil commerce

Saudi Arabia is working to diversify its economy, but figures from January show it remains dependent on foreign oil sales.

NEOM.

Saudi’s future city, NEOM, launches renewable energy project

Saudi Arabia has grand plans for the city, but the endeavor’s land use and sustainability plans have faced pushback.

captagon

Saudi authorities find Captagon in Jeddah, hash in Mecca

Saudi authorities have seized Captagon shipments on numerous occasions in recent months.

SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images

Saudi Arabia, Qatar raise repo rates while Turkey stays put

Central Banks in the Middle East are responding to the US Federal Reserve raising interest rates due to rising inflation.