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United Arab Emirates

August 25, 2026

Abu Dhabi 2:26 pm

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Khor Fakkan Container Terminal

Analysis

UAE-Iran trade relationship becomes key test of Trump’s wartime strategy

The Gulf state suspended trade with Iran after new attacks in August. Experts point to risks for both sides as the Trump administration seeks to squeeze Tehran economically.

Samuel Wendel

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

Iranians drive past an anti-US billboard at Enghelab Square in central Tehran, Aug. 3, 2026.

Trump’s Iran ‘economic D-Day’ threat sends oil prices above $94

In a Truth Social post, the president threatened that any country that provides a financial lifeline to Iran will face "tremendous economic consequences."

AHMAD AL-RUBAYE / AFP via Getty Images

Explainer

Iraq seeks special Hormuz access from Iran in scramble to keep oil flowing

As Iran's parliament speaker holds talks in Baghdad, Iraq has asked Tehran for special consideration for its oil exports.

Latest News

UAE halts all trade ties with Iran after missile attack

Ships are docked along a pier at the Khor Fakkan Container Terminal, the only natural deep-sea port in the region and one of the major container ports in Sharjah Emirate, along the Gulf of Oman on July 14, 2026.

United Arab Emirates

Oil nears $92 on UAE missile alert as Trump claims Iran talks stuck

Leon Neal/Getty Images

United Arab Emirates

Samuel Wendel

Senior Market Research Analyst

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

Sabena Siddiqui

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

Vanessa Ghanem

In Dubai, reporting on business, energy and politics

Mohammed Soliman

In Washington, DC, reporting on Gulf politics

DOHA, QATAR - DECEMBER 15: A man looks out over the Doha skyline on The Corniche during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 on December 15, 2022 in Doha, Qatar. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)

Doha, Dubai ranked world’s top two cities for competitive job markets

The United Arab Emirates was the only country to have two cities on the top 10 list with both Dubai and the country’s capital Abu Dhabi at fifth.

Fishing boats are moored at Karachi port as a part of precautionary measures before the due onset of cyclone, in Karachi on June 14, 2023. More than 40,000 people have been evacuated across India and Pakistan as a cyclone approaches their coast, officials said on June 13, with gales of up to 150 kilometres per hour predicted. (Photo by ASIF HASSAN / AFP) (Photo by ASIF HASSAN/AFP via Getty Images)

UAE signs agreement with Pakistan’s Karachi Port Trust

The Abu Dhabi Ports Group joint venture will invest heavily in the infrastructure development of the Port of Karachi over the next 10 years, with the bulk of it planned for 2026.

United Arab Emirates

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan (R) met today met with Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian (L) in Abu Dhabi, June 22, 2023.

Iran rushes regional thaw in UAE as it hopes for sanctions relief

Iran's foreign minister was in the United Arab Emirates to pursue the Islamic Republic's reproachment drive, while his deputy was on a parallel mission in neighboring Qatar in a quest for sanctions relief through indirect diplomacy with the United States.

United Arab Emirates

Technicians work at the headquarters of the Israeli company 1MRobotics, in the Israeli coastal city of Tel Aviv on, January 11, 2023. - Behind a seemingly ordinary storefront in Tel Aviv, the Israeli company is speeding up online shopping by replacing staff with robots that manoevure around small, streetside storerooms. (Photo by JACK GUEZ / AFP) (Photo by JACK GUEZ/AFP via Getty Images)

The Middle East joins the global supercomputer competition

While most of the Middle East is not competing in the supercomputing race, Israel is one of a handful of countries that include Saudi Arabia and the UAE that have the high-tech aspirations, financial resources and local talent to be players

David Rosenberg

David Rosenberg

In Tel Aviv, reporting on business and tech

Astra II rocket launchers open fire during military exercises at the Formosa Instruction Center in the state of Goias, 100 km from Brasilia, on August 16, 2021. - The armed forces mobilized 2500 soldiers to participate in the operation Formosa Operational Demonstration. (Photo by EVARISTO SA / AFP) (Photo by EVARISTO SA/AFP via Getty Images)

UAE defense firm EDGE and Brazilian navy sign anti-ship missiles deal

The agreement follows the United Arab Emirates participating alongside Brazil in the BRICS meeting earlier this month.

Kuwait's Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Nawaf al-Ahmad al-Sabah (R) meeting with Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian (L), in Kuwait City

Iran's FM visits Kuwait, then UAE in latest Gulf charm offensive

Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian arrived in Oman on Tuesday to meet with Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr Albusaidi as part of his Gulf tour that began in Doha.

United Arab Emirates

Boats are anchored in the Dubai Creek surrounded by high-rise buildings in the Gult emirate, on February 18, 2023. - Home to towering skyscrapers and ultra-luxury villas, Dubai saw record real estate transactions in 2022, largely due to an influx of wealthy investors, especially from Russia. (Photo by Karim SAHIB / AFP) (Photo by KARIM SAHIB/AFP via Getty Images)

Dubai leaps to world’s 7th most expensive city for luxury living, overtaking Paris, Zurich

The UAE finance hub made the top 10 list for the first time in Julius Baer’s global wealth index published Tuesday.

United Arab Emirates

KARIM SAHIB/AFP via Getty Images

UAE, Qatar reopen embassies after years of political rift

The Emirati and Qatari foreign ministers held a phone call ahead of the two embassies restarting their diplomatic functions on Monday.

United Arab Emirates

Russian President Vladimir Putin meets with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed al-Nahyan on the sidelines of the Saint Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) in Saint Petersburg on June 16, 2023. (Photo by Ilya PITALEV / SPUTNIK / AFP) (Photo by ILYA PITALEV/SPUTNIK/AFP via Getty Images)

Putin, MBZ meet in St. Petersburg, vow to boost Russia-UAE ties

UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan called for de-escalation of the Russia-Ukraine war and a political resolution.

United Arab Emirates

Visitors view a TAI/AgustaWestland T129 ATAK attack helicopter on display at the Turkish Aerospace stand during the Naval Defence and Maritime Security Exhibition (NAVDEX), part of the wider International Defence Exhibtion (IDEX) at the Abu Dhabi International Exhibition Centre on February 20, 2023. (Photo by Ryan LIM / AFP) (Photo by RYAN LIM/AFP via Getty Images)

Economic arsenals: the Middle East’s rise as a global defense industry hub

The Mideast's defense market is evolving, motivated by a desire to secure greater self-sufficiency and national sovereignty.

Dubai free trade zone

Dubai free zone reports 24% increase in Chinese companies

The Dubai Multi Commodities Center has more than 770 Chinese companies in its free trade zone.

United Arab Emirates

Cars drive along a street in front of high-rise buildings in Dubai on Feb. 18, 2023.

UAE ranked first globally in attracting new millionaires in 2022

The UAE had the highest net inflow of millionaires in the world in 2022, while China had the highest net outflow, followed by India and the United Kingdom.

United Arab Emirates