Middle East Geopolitics
11 stories related to this topic, newest first.
agriculture.einnews.comFormer Qatari PM Calls for Saudi-Led 'Gulf NATO' as US Pivots from Middle East
Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim Al Thani said the United States-Israel war on Iran culminated from a long-term Israeli agenda and warned that Iran's weaponisation of the Strait of Hormuz is the most dangerous outcome. In an interview published 11 May 2026 he urged Gulf states to form a j…
ADNOC to Invest $55 Billion in Oil Projects
The Abu Dhabi National Oil Company announced plans to award up to $55 billion in upstream and downstream projects over the next two years, days after the United Arab Emirates left OPEC on May 1, 2026. The move aligns with efforts to boost crude oil production capacity to 5 millio…
Al-MonitorU.S. Intelligence: Iran Can Produce Nuclear Weapon in 3-6 Months
U.S. intelligence assessments show the time Iran needs to build a nuclear weapon remains the same as last summer's estimates, despite two months of war. Analysts had pushed the timeline to up to a year after prior attacks. The war, launched partly to halt Iran's nuclear program,…
dnaindia.comUS Gas Prices Rise 47%, Q1 Economy Grows 2%
US gasoline prices have risen sharply to $4.30 per gallon since the Iran war began on February 28, marking a 47% increase. The economy expanded at a 2% annual rate in the first quarter of 2026, though inflation accelerated. Gulf states are reassessing security ties, with some dee…
citizen.co.zaTrump Receives Briefing on Military Options Against Iran
President Trump received a briefing from top military officials on potential strikes against Iran as a 60-day congressional deadline approaches. Options discussed include infrastructure attacks and operations in the Strait of Hormuz. Oil prices rose to a four-year high following…
al-monitor.comTrump Meets With Oil Executives
President Donald Trump discussed measures to mitigate effects of a prolonged U.S. naval blockade on Iran's ports with oil company executives. He urged Iran to 'get smart soon' and agree to a nonnuclear deal amid ongoing conflict. Oil prices rose over 6% as Iran's currency hit a r…
SemaforUAE Withdraws From OPEC
The United Arab Emirates has left OPEC, effective May 1, 2026, after announcing the decision on April 30. The move allows the UAE to set its own production limits, amid tensions over unrecognized capacity growth. Analysts say this weakens the cartel's influence on global oil pric…
Responsible StatecraftUAE Withdraws From OPEC
The United Arab Emirates announced its formal withdrawal from OPEC on May 1, 2026, citing production quota constraints and geopolitical differences with Saudi Arabia. The move positions the UAE to increase oil output once regional conflicts subside. Experts note implications for…
insurancejournal.comU.S.-Iran Conflict Disrupts Strait of Hormuz Shipping; Oil at $120/Barrel
The Strait of Hormuz remains effectively closed to commercial traffic since February 2026 due to the U.S.-Iran conflict, supercharging global energy prices. Gulf producers are accelerating investments in alternative export routes to bypass the chokepoint. Experts highlight long-u…
SemaforUS-Iran Conflict Escalates into War of Attrition with Global Economic Impacts
The ongoing war between the United States and Iran has led to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, disrupting global oil supplies. Iranian leaders have installed a new supreme leader amid airstrikes that killed Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The conflict has depleted US arms stockpiles…
valuewalk.comCrypto Markets Rally on Middle East Ceasefire Progress Amid Binance Regulatory Scrutiny
Cryptocurrency prices surged following Iran's announcement of open passage through the Strait of Hormuz amid ceasefire talks in Lebanon. Shares of Galaxy Digital rose sharply in line with broader market gains. Separately, a U.S. senator inquired about the status of oversight moni…