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Middle East

The Middle East is a transcontinental region spanning Western Asia and parts of North Africa, characterised by its strategic location at the crossroads of Europe, Asia and Africa. The region encompasses countries including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman, Yemen, Israel, Palestine, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria and sometimes Egypt and Turkey, though definitions vary. It is home to an estimated 400-million people and holds immense geopolitical and economic significance owing to its vast hydrocarbon reserves, which account for a substantial share of global oil and natural gas production and exports. The Middle East's energy resources have shaped global markets for decades, with key chokepoints such as the Strait of Hormuz serving as critical arteries for international oil shipments. Beyond energy, the region's economy encompasses finance, trade, construction, tourism and increasingly diversified sectors as several Gulf states pursue economic transformation agendas. Major cities such as Dubai, Riyadh, Abu Dhabi, Tehran, Tel Aviv and Cairo function as commercial, financial and cultural hubs. The region is also the birthplace of three major world religions—Judaism, Christianity and Islam—and contains sites of profound historical and cultural importance. Political dynamics in the Middle East are complex, marked by a mix of monarchies, republics and theocracies, ongoing conflicts, regional rivalries and shifting alliances. In recent years, several Middle Eastern nations have announced ambitious renewable energy and nuclear programmes as part of efforts to diversify energy supply and reduce reliance on fossil fuel exports. The region's strategic importance to global energy security, trade routes and geopolitical stability ensures it remains a focal point in international business and policy discussions.

Latest Articles in 60 Seconds

Ceasefire eases Hormuz strain but cost shock still filters through economies

Following a June ceasefire, tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has resumed and Brent crude has retraced towards pre-conflict levels, yet the Minerals Council South Africa reports mining input costs still accelerated in May, with its Cost Index rising to 5.3% year-on-year as coke, refined petroleum and chemical prices surged. Thungela Resources says its operations continue without disruption, though coal and energy markets remain volatile, with Brent having ranged between $90/bl and $118/bl during the conflict. Agbiz notes the war has driven its Agribusiness Confidence Index to a two-year low of 45, citing energy and fertiliser cost concerns.

Asian buyers shift from gas to coal as LNG supply tightens

Japan cut gas-fired generation by 16% in June, turning instead to coal, as Hormuz disruptions choked about a fifth of global LNG exports and pushed Asian spot LNG prices about 70% above pre-war levels. Australia meanwhile posted a surprise A$3-billion trade deficit in May, its widest since 2015, as fuel import costs hit a record A$8.6-billion.

Middle East carriers still reeling despite improving passenger trends

IATA reports global air passenger demand fell 2.2% year-on-year in May, driven by a 28.4% collapse in Middle East traffic, though this marks an improvement on April's 46.6% decline. Africa recorded the strongest regional growth, at 6.6%, while IATA's Willie Walsh warns that Strait of Hormuz uncertainty means normalised jet fuel pricing will take time to materialise.

Middle East Updates


Containers being transported by ship
IMF lowers 2026 global growth forecast to 3%, sees rebound in 2027
Updated 7 hours ago By: Reuters

The International Monetary Fund on Wednesday inched its 2026 global growth forecast lower again to a sluggish 3.0%, warning of ongoing risks linked to the war in the Middle East, trade... 


Oil
Global oil output to return to pre-Iran war level by year's end, US EIA says
8th July 2026 By: Reuters

Global oil output and trade flows should rebound fully by the end of this year from the disruptions caused by the Iran war, the US Energy Information Administration (EIA) said on Tuesday. Global... 


Aluminium
Japan Q3 aluminium premiums soar to highest since 2015 on Mideast supply squeeze
8th July 2026 By: Reuters

Japanese aluminium buyers agreed to pay premiums of $395 a ton for shipments between July and September, the highest since 2015, as the US-Israeli war on Iran squeezed supply, five sources involved... 


An image of oil and gas shipping in the Strait of Hormuz
Natural gas demand set for contraction this year, as tighter supply impacts prices – IEA
7th July 2026 By: Tasneem Bulbulia

The world’s gas consumption is forecast to drop for the third time in seven years, even as liquefied natural gas (LNG) supply from producers in other regions helps offset losses in the Middle East,... 


LNG vessel
Global LNG trade hit record in 2025, but Middle East conflict clouds outlook, IGU says
7th July 2026 By: Reuters

Global liquefied natural gas (LNG) trade hit a record last year as strong US exports and rising European imports offset weaker Asian purchases, the International Gas Union (IGU) said in a report on... 


Mining cost pressures accelerated in May as energy shock took hold
Mining cost pressures accelerated in May as energy shock took hold
3rd July 2026 By: Sabrina Jardim

Minerals Council South Africa has reported that mining input cost pressures accelerated sharply in May, reflecting the transmission of higher global energy prices into the South African economy... 


Coal plant
Japan cuts gas in favour of coal as Hormuz disruption chokes LNG
3rd July 2026 By: Bloomberg

Japan sharply reduced natural gas-fired power generation last month, instead relying more on coal, as disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz tightened supplies of the cleaner-burning fuel. The... 


Spinach
Agribusiness confidence slips to two-year low on cost and climate pressures
3rd July 2026 By: Marleny Arnoldi

Following an 18-point decline in the first quarter, the Agricultural Business Chamber of South Africa (Agbiz) and Industrial Development Corporation’s Agribusiness Confidence Index (ACI) fell... 


Gold bar
Australia runs surprise trade deficit with widest gap since 2015
2nd July 2026 By: Bloomberg

Australia fell into a surprise trade deficit in May as exports dropped the most all year, with imports extending a streak of gains caused in part by high fuel prices and data center demand.... 


Africa saw the strongest air passenger growth in May, reports IATA
30th June 2026 By: Rebecca Campbell

The global representative body for the airline industry, the International Air Transport Association (IATA), has reported that total global air passenger traffic fell by -2.2%, year-on-year, in... 


Thungela maintains interim export guidance despite volatile coal markets
Thungela maintains interim export guidance despite volatile coal markets
30th June 2026 By: Sabrina Jardim

JSE-listed Thungela Resources says it continues to monitor the impact of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East on its employees and the broader operating environment, noting that, to date, the... 


South Africa's economic recovery entering uncertain phase amid growing pressure
30th June 2026 By: Schalk Burger

South Africa’s economy remains on a recovery path, but rising global pressures and cost dynamics are slowing momentum and reshaping the outlook for the months ahead, says professional services firm... 


Fossil generation ‘substituted’ by renewables in 2025 amid electricity tipping point
Fossil generation ‘substituted’ by renewables in 2025 amid electricity tipping point
30th June 2026 By: Terence Creamer

Record global electricity demand last year was met entirely by low-carbon sources, resulting in fossil fuels generation being substituted rather than supplemented, the Energy Institute’s... 


Shell logo
Shell expects 65% rise in global LNG demand by 2050
30th June 2026 By: Reuters

Global liquefied natural gas (LNG) demand is expected to rise by around 65% by 2050, driven largely by Asia as countries seek lower-emission alternatives to coal and data centres boost power... 


In May, Africa registered the strongest air cargo demand of all regions
29th June 2026 By: Rebecca Campbell

Global total air cargo demand increased by 6%, year-on-year (y-o-y), in May, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) has reported. (IATA is the global representative body for the airline... 


Luggage on a carousel
Rate of mishandled air baggage is declining globally
29th June 2026 By: Rebecca Campbell

The global aviation industry’s specialist IT and communications group, SITA, has reported that Africa is still the region with the highest rate of mishandling airline luggage. Its 'Baggage IT... 


A generic image of an offshore oil drilling rig
Stronger action required to bolster energy security – IEA
29th June 2026 By: Lumkile Nkomfe

With oil prices having eased substantially in recent weeks following an interim agreement between the US and Iran in mid-June aimed at curtailing hostilities, regional maritime and military... 


Tanzania LNG – unlocking future growth across energy and industry
Tanzania LNG – unlocking future growth across energy and industry
26th June 2026

By: Ahmed Mohamed Ahmed Hegazy - Business Development Leader, Energy and Chemicals, Schneider Electric East Africa Tanzania’s energy and chemicals segment is projected to show tremendous growth in... 


Stuart Heather-Clark, SLR Consulting Power Sector Lead Middle East and Africa
Exciting gigawatt-scale projects across Africa, SLR reports
26th June 2026 By: Martin Creamer

To combat climate change, the world needs green molecules in addition to green electrons. “If we look how the economy is carbonised, an electron can only decarbonise between 60% to 70% of the... 


A generic image of mineralised uranium
Lotus Resources outlines operational, funding challenges in Malawi
25th June 2026 By: Lumkile Nkomfe

ASX-listed Lotus Resources has temporarily halted production at its Kayelekera uranium mine, in Malawi, owing to equipment damage and a supply disruption in a third-party acid supply chain linked... 


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