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August 7, 2026

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Explainer

Qatar launches diamond exchange as Hormuz crisis chokes LNG exports

Qatar's new diamond exchange is an effort to diversify from the country's main exports, LNG and petroleum products, which have been severely cut as a result of the Iran war and the Strait of Hormuz crisis.

A ship sails off the coast of Ajman on July 10, 2026.

Interview

Why Strait of Hormuz no longer rattles oil markets as much: IMF

The fund's Middle East director, Jihad Azour, told Al-Monitor that the big Gulf energy producers now have more capacity to absorb the shock.

Jihad Azour

Jihad Azour

Director of the Middle East and Central Asia Department at the International Monetary Fund

Latest News

Oil soars more than 6% as Trump rules out Iran deal, threatens more strikes

A cargo ship is pictured off coast of 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 June 28, 2026.

Samuel Wendel

Senior Market Research Analyst

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

Vanessa Ghanem

In Dubai, reporting on business, energy and politics

Karen Young

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional energy

Reve Chaaban

In Doha reporting on culture

JEWEL SAMAD/AFP via Getty Images

Qatar summons German ambassador over World Cup criticism

Qatar, which will be the first Middle East country to host the World Cup, has been criticized by Germany for its human rights record.

Sean Gallup/Getty Images

Qatar signs deal with Google Cloud

Qatar is seeking to digitize its economy and government, while Google Cloud wants to expand in the Middle East.

Egyptian Minister of Petroleum Tarek el-Molla (C) speaks during the opening session of the 24th ministerial meeting of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum, Cairo, Egypt, Oct. 25, 2022.

Gas forum kicks off in Cairo

Qatar and Russia may be looking to cooperate more on energy matters.

This picture taken on Oct. 18, 2022 shows a view of solar panels at the newly-inaugurated al-Kharsaah solar power plant in Qatar.

Qatar brings new solar power plant into operation

The French energy giant TotalEnergies is the Gulf nation's partner in the project.

CIS summit

Middle Eastern leaders converge on Kazakhstan

The Central Asian nation hosted the annual Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia and the Commonwealth of Independent States summits this week.

David Hecker/Getty Images

Qatari oil, gas exports up 100% in 2022

Qatar is working to export more gas to Europe in response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

ALEXANDER NEMENOV/AFP via Getty Images

Iran to join Shanghai Cooperation Organization

Iran took a step toward joining in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization at a summit in Uzbekistan this week.

Qatar ammonia

Qatar to build new plant to produce blue ammonia

Several Gulf states are experimenting with blue ammonia and carbon capture technology, which has energy-related potential but a mixed impact on the environment.

A man looks at his phone on the corniche in the Qatari capital Doha on July 2, 2017.

Qatar issues first digital payment licenses to fintech providers

Qatar as well as Saudi Arabia and the UAE are seeking to bolster their fintech sectors.

An Emirates Airlines Boing 777 plane unload a coronavirus vaccine shipment at Dubai International Airport on February 1, 2021 as key transport hub Dubai announced an initiative to accelerate the delivery of coronavirus vaccines, particularly to developing nations. - The Vaccine Logistics Alliance, which includes Dubai-based Emirates airline and global logistics giant DP World, is designed to "speed up distribution of Covid-19 vaccines around the world through the emirate". The alliance will "support" the Wo

Long-term transport growth bodes well for Middle East airlines, airports as competition intensifies

Afshin Molavi

GIUSEPPE CACACE/AFP via Getty Images

Explainer: Oman may follow as most Gulf central banks raise rates

Inflation in the Gulf has not been as severe as in other parts of the region.

Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

Qatar's sovereign wealth fund, Dubai's Vy Capital help Elon Musk buy Twitter

Musk's takeover of Twitter has several implications for the Middle East, particularly Saudi Arabia and Turkey.