Oman
US-Israel plan for Kurdish incursion into Iran collapses
A joint plan by the US and Israel to support a Kurdish ground incursion into Iran has collapsed following leaks and regional opposition, according to The Times of India, which reported that the proposal had been under development for several years.
Iran’s shadow fleet and shadow banks keeps the money pouring in
Iran has doubled its oil exports since the start of Operation Epic Fury, sustaining flows of between 2.4mn and 2.8mn barrels per day (b/d), including 1.5mn to 1.8mn b/d of crude. It has also doubled the amount of money it’s earning.
Israel now occupies more of Lebanon than Russia does of Ukraine
Israel has occupied more of Lebanon’s territory after three weeks of fighting than Russia controls of Ukraine after four years of war.
Global fertiliser market starting to feel the pinch as stockpiles run low
Disruptions to the fertilisers market are starting to bite as stockpiles run low in Asia and beyond just as the spring planting season gets underway.
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Iran causes widespread destruction with a weekend of attacks
Iran launched a barrage of missile strikes and drone attacks on US military and high value assets across the Gulf region over the weekend, scoring many successes, as the war goes into its fourth week.
Iranian strikes on Gulf aluminium plants raise supply concerns
Two major aluminium production facilities in the Middle East were hit by Iranian strikes on March 28, raising concerns over global supply as disruption in the region intensifies.
Satellite imagery confirms extensive damage at Qatar’s Ras Laffan LNG plant
Satellite imagery indicates significant damage at Qatar’s Ras Laffan LNG plant that was hit by Iranian missiles on March 18, including the apparent collapse of primary heat exchangers at Train 6 and structural damage to adjacent facilities.
Pashtun leaders express support for Iran at Pakistan meeting
Pashtun tribal leaders in Pakistan voiced support for Iran during a gathering at the Iranian consulate in Peshawar, signalling the potential for broader regional unrest.
Ukraine and Qatar sign defence cooperation agreement
Ukraine and Qatar have signed a defence cooperation agreement covering joint projects, technology development and investment in missile and drone defence, according to a statement released during a Ukrainian delegation’s visit to Doha.
Yemen’s Houthis enter the Gulf war on Iran's side
Yemeni Houthis officially entered the war on March 28 and announced its first operation, firing a ballistic missile against "Israeli military targets."
Israel hits Iran’s biggest steel plants, Tehran to retaliate
Three co-ordinated Israeli strikes hit all of Iran’s largest steel plants simultaneously on March 28. Iran issued evacuation orders for six of the largest steel plants in neighbouring Gulf countries as well as Israel as it prepared to retaliate.
Iran oil revenues surge as exports rise despite regional tensions
Iran’s oil revenues have climbed sharply in March, rising by an estimated $25mn per day from the previous month to reach $139mn per day, as exports increase and price discounts narrow despite tensions in the Middle East, says Goldman Sachs.
Russian businesses in Middle East slow activity as conflict disrupts deals
There are 14,000 Russian companies registered in the UAE, and 150,000 Russians live there. Without the need for visas and the can-do attitude to business, Dubai has become a favourite destination for Russian entrepreneurs escaping from sanctions.
Anti-Trump protests outweigh supporter rallies - Statista
Protests in the United States against President Donald Trump or the Trump administration by far outweigh rallies organized by Trump supporters, Statista reports.
Second attack on Iran’s Bushehr nuclear power station raises Chernobyl radiation cloud spectre
A second missile attack in the proximity to Iran’s Bushehr nuclear power plant (NPP) has raised the spectre of a Chernobyl-like cloud of radiation drifting over the Gulf region, making some countries uninhabitable and poisoning the water.
Crisis-virus: From disruption to destruction
“We are facing a real shock that is probably beyond what we can imagine at the moment,” said European Central Bank (ECB) head Christine Lagarde in a recent interview.
US Treasury bill market under growing strain from Middle East turmoil
The $30 trillion US Treasury market is exhibiting mounting signs of stress as geopolitical tensions in the Middle East trigger heightened volatility in government bonds that underpin the global financial system.
Iran war creates perfect storm for the petrodollar - Deutsche Bank
The world was already dedollarising thanks to rising East-West tensions and the US decision to weaponize the dollar in 2022 by seizing the Russian central bank’s reserves. Trump has gone a step further.
Iran war is Asia's Ukraine moment, rapid green energy rollout will accelerate
Three quarters of the world's population live in fossil importing countries and bleed out at least 3% of GDP every year to import oil to run their cars and power plants.
Israel, US have armed themselves for the wrong war
The Israeli Army took its heaviest tank losses in over 40 years after Hezbollah ambushes destroyed 21 Merkavas main battle tanks in a single day on March 26. Israel and the US have armed themselves for the wrong war.