Oman
Russia pockets €6bn in fossil fuel revenues in first two weeks of war
Russia has pocketed over $6bn of excess revenues in just the first two weeks of war in Iran, the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air said.
COMMENT: Strategic reserve releases cannot replace an open Strait of Hormuz
A proposed record release of emergency strategic oil reserves from the International Energy Agency (IEA) could offer temporary relief to global markets if Middle Eastern supply disruptions deepen, but it will not prevent prices from rising again.
_Cropped_1_1773253896.png)
US Navy says Straits of Hormuz too dangerous to traverse
The US Navy has declined repeated requests from the shipping industry to escort commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz since the outbreak of the war with Iran, saying it is too dangerous to traverse.
Where is Khamenei?
Where is the new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei? Since he was appointed on March 8 he has issued no statements, made no public appearances, and in fact has been totally invisible.
COMMENT: War risks pushing Gulf economies into contraction
Escalating conflict in the Middle East could push the Gulf economies into recession this year, with the scale of the downturn depending largely on how long the fighting lasts and whether energy infrastructure suffers lasting damage.
IEA agrees record release of 400mn barrels from emergency oil reserves to counter Gulf War impact
The IEA agreed on March 11 to release a record 400mn barrels from emergency oil reserves, dwarfing its 2022 Ukraine-linked release, as Iran's closure of the Strait of Hormuz and attacks on Gulf energy infrastructure drive prices higher.
Iran is sending more oil through Straits of Hormuz than before the war, sets anti-ship mines
Iran has reportedly sent more than 11mn barrels of oil through the Strait of Hormuz since the war began, all bound for China, CNBC reported on March 11, citing shipping data.
Gulf War III: Will Bahrain collapse?
The systematic degradation of Bahrain's economic infrastructure, rather than its military assets, is a soft target.
_1773221825.jpg)
Cargo vessel hit by projectile in Strait of Hormuz as attack count reaches 17
A cargo vessel was struck by an unknown projectile in the Strait of Hormuz on March 11, sparking a fire and crew evacuation, as UKMTO recorded its 17th incident report since the Iran conflict began on February 28.
IEA proposes the largest ever release of oil reserves
The International Energy Agency has proposed the largest release of oil reserves in its history to restrain soaring crude prices amid the US-Israel war with Iran, the Wall Street Journal reported on March 10.
Energy shock gives Russia opportunity to reshape global markets, Putin says
Russia is positioning itself to take advantage of turmoil in global energy markets triggered by the escalating Middle East conflict.
Iran war inflation shock is on its way
An inflation shock similar to that caused by the ten-fold rise in energy prices in 2022 is on the way. As the war in Iran enters day eleven it's still too early to be measurable, but central banks around the world are already issuing warnings.
Omani-led $130mn investment gives top Uzbek digital platform Uzum valuation of $2.3bn
Existing international investors VR Capital, Tencent and FinSight Ventures also participated in the funding.
Hormuz closure would cost Gulf states average 3.8% of GDP, Marex warns as Bahrain most exposed
Marex warns a three-month Hormuz closure would cost Gulf states an average 3.8% of GDP in current account deterioration, with Bahrain most exposed and Oman the only country to benefit from the disruption
Oil markets whipsaw as Trump mixes threats to Iran with hints conflict is ending
Markets were on a wild rollercoaster ride on March 9 with oil prices swinging through $30 change in a day. Trump claims the war is nearly over. The IRGC says it will fight to the bitter end. No end to the conflict is in sight.
McFAUL: A war still in search of a mission
A week after launching the largest U.S. military operation in two decades, President Donald Trump has yet to explain why he decided to go to war with Iran. Instead, he seems to be testing a variety of rationales and constant changing his mind.
Iran turns to China’s BeiDou satellites to outfox Israeli anti-drone electronic warfare defences
Iran dumped reliance on the US GPS satellite network to guide drones and missiles and switched to China’s BeiDou satellite navigation system to neutralise Israel’s electronic warfare defences.
GCC information ministers hold emergency meeting over Iran attacks
GCC information ministers held an emergency video conference on March 9 to coordinate media strategy and counter disinformation as the regional conflict continues to affect Gulf states.
Trump says Iran war 'pretty much' complete as Brent crude crashes on ceasefire hopes
Brent crude crashed from $99 to $83.9 per barrel within minutes of Trump declaring the Iran war "pretty much" complete, pulling back from a four-year high of $119 reached earlier on March 9.
From Iran to the Muslim Brotherhood: Mohammed bin Zayed–Trump call explores a rebalancing of the region
Tensions in the Middle East are reshaping key alliances as UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed and US President Donald Trump hold a high-level call on Iran’s regional aggression and the growing influence of the Muslim Brotherhood.