Iraq
Middle East conflict fallout to slow growth, push up inflation in Emerging Europe and Mediterranean region, EBRD says
Development bank says economic fallout is already spreading, through higher energy and fertiliser costs, damage to tourism and higher debt-servicing costs.
Qatar LNG plant damage could take five years to fix if key components destroyed
Iran targeted and hit Qatar’s Ras Laffan gas plant on March 18, the backbone of Qatar's LNG exports and source of a third of the world’s supply of liquid gas. If key components were destroyed the plant could take five years to fix.
Riyadh betting on Iran war escalation in trade off of short-term damage for long-term regional dominance
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MbS) is taking a big gamble. He is pressing Washington for a more aggressive stance in its Iran campaign betting the short term damage cost is the price of leaving the Kingdom as the dominant regional power.
Seven Iraqi soldiers killed in airstrike on Anbar military base
Seven Iraqi soldiers were killed and 13 wounded in an airstrike on a military base in Anbar province, Iraq's defence ministry says, describing the targeting of a medical facility as a violation of international law.
Israel strikes Iranian Caspian port used by Russia to supply arms, food
More evidence emerged that the CRINK alliance (China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea) are supplying Iran with arms on March 24, after an Israeli strike on a Caspian sea smuggling route used by Moscow to supply Tehra
Spain granted permission to sail through Hormuz, as Trump's energy dominance policy failing
Iran grants Spanish vessels unrestricted access through Strait of Hormuz Spain has joined the club of Iran’s “friendly nations” after Tehran granted Spanish vessels a permits-for-passage unfettered access to the Strait of Hormuz on March 24.
Number of ships passing through Hormuz rising after toll system established
The number of ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz is increasing as after a $2mn fee was established and the inform permits-for-passage system is smoothed by use.
ADNOC restarts Habshan gas plant while LNG export disruptions continue
The United Arab Emirates has resumed operations at its largest gas processing facility following an attack that halted output, even as exports of liquefied natural gas remain severely constrained by disruption in the Strait of Hormuz.
Israel welcomes Lebanon move to expel Iranian envoy
Israel’s foreign minister Gideon Sa’ar has welcomed Lebanon’s reported decision to expel Iran’s ambassador-designate, urging Beirut to take further steps to curb the influence of Hezbollah amid heightened regional tensions.
Middle East conflict causes surge in gas flaring and emissions
The war in Iran has caused a spike in gas flaring across the Middle East is adding to greenhouse gas emissions as energy infrastructure disruptions linked to regional conflict force producers to burn excess fuel.
BBC fails to mention Israel during a report of Lebanese hospital missile strikes
The BBC failed to mention the word “Israel” at all when reporting Israeli missiles targeted at least 20 Iranian hospitals and medical centres on March 23 –a war crime.
Trump floats 15-point Iran war ceasefire plan
Turkey is seeking an off-ramp to the war involving Iran, engaging both the US and the Islamic Republic in an effort to initiate negotiations on a potential deal, sources familiar with the matter told Middle East Eye on March 24.
The West has split – Stubb
Finland’s President Alexander Stubb has warned that relations between the US and Europe are fracturing under Donald Trump’s policies, urging allies to “salvage what you can” of the transatlantic alliance.
Middle East conflict has damaged over 40 energy assets - IEA
More than 40 energy assets across nine countries in the Middle East have been “severely or very severely” damaged by the ongoing conflict, raising the risk of prolonged disruption to global energy supplies, according to the IEA.
The West has split – Stubb
Finland’s President Alexander Stubb has warned that relations between the US and Europe are fracturing under Donald Trump’s policies, urging allies to “salvage what you can” of the transatlantic alliance.
Iraq's US Treasury holdings surge 79% to $42bn as war raises questions over reserves
Iraq's US Treasury holdings surged 79% to $42bn in 2025, but the war now raises questions over whether Baghdad may need to draw down reserves after losing its main oil export route.
Russia could earn up to $252bn from Gulf War - KSE
Russia could earn as much as $252bn in windfall export revenues from escalating conflict in the Middle East, as higher energy prices driven by tensions in the Persian Gulf bolster the Kremlin’s finances, according to analysis by KSE.
Most Gulf and European ships likely blocked from Hormuz despite Iran's 'open to all' claim
A Russian energy analyst says Iran's "open to all" Hormuz policy would in practice block most Gulf and European shipping, as Tehran keeps the definition of "enemy" vessels deliberately vague.
Turkey emerges as revived route for Iraqi oil amid Hormuz crisis
Baghdad accelerates revamp of long-idle pipeline puy out of action more than a decade ago by bomb attacks.