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СпутникиРНSpaceXРоскосмосNASAOil falls to prewar levels as Hormuz reopens
Welcome back to AL-MONITOR Business & Tech.Brent crude on Wednesday fell below $74, a level not seen since before the US-Israel-Iran war, as more ships began to transit through the Strait of Hormuz and Tehran and Washington continued to negotiate a peace deal. One of the Gulf’s biggest energy producers, Qatar, has vowed to restore liquefied natural gas production in weeks, while French investors remain bullish on the region’s long-term fundamentals. This week, we also look at how Kuwait and Lebanon are hoping to woo foreigners and the ultra rich with new residency schemes.Sign up for weekly updates here.Thanks for reading,Jack (@jackvdutton)Oil falls below $74Commercial vessels remain anchored off Port Sultan Qaboos on June 21, 2026, in Muscat, Oman. — Elke Scholiers/Getty ImagesThe price of oil fell below $74 a barrel on Wednesday for the first time since before the US-Israel-Iran war began on Feb. 28, as concerns over disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz continued to ease. Brent crude, the international benchmark for oil prices, was trading at $73.81 a barrel at 10:40 a.m. EDT, down 4.2% from Tuesday's close. Brent crude peaked at around $115 a barrel last month amid attacks on shipping in the strait and a US blockade of Iranian ports imposed in April. Roughly one-fifth of global oil and LNG shipments normally pass through the waterway. The decline in prices comes as Iran and the United States continue negotiations on a permanent ceasefire agreement and shipping activity through Hormuz recovers. The two sides signed a memorandum of understanding last week that included provisions to ensure freedom of navigation through the strait.Maritime traffic has increased since then. According to maritime intelligence firm Kpler, at least 172 vessels have passed through the waterway since the signing of the deal, including 42 ships on Saturday alone.Shipping backlog: But the disruption remains significant. According to a report published Wednesday by Allianz, around 1,200 cargo vessels carrying an estimated $125 billion worth of goods remain stranded in the Gulf awaiting safe passage. Allianz said the “unprecedented” closure of the strait raised “concerns about the future of global maritime trade.”Gulf energy recoveryA picture shows the Ras Laffan Industrial City, Qatar's principal site for production of liquefied natural gas and gas-to-liquid, administrated by Qatar Petroleum, some 80 kilometers (50 miles) north of the capital Doha, on February 6, 2017. — KARIM JAAFAR / AFP via Getty ImagesQatar expects to restore normal LNG production within weeks, Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani said in an interview with the Financial Times published Wednesday. The prime minister also stressed that establishing a direct communication channel between Washington and Tehran would be critical to fully reopening the Strait of Hormuz. The comments come just days after a deadly explosion at QatarEnergy's Barzan local gas supply facility north of Doha highlighted the challenges still facing Gulf energy producers. The blast, which occurred during startup operations at Ras Laffan Industrial City, killed at least 13 people and injured dozens more. QatarEnergy said LNG export operations were not affected and that Ras Laffan port continued to operate normally. Why it matters: The incident underscored that reopening the Strait of Hormuz is only one step toward restoring Gulf energy production after more than three months of conflict that damaged infrastructure, disrupted operations and sharply reduced exports. Even before the explosion, Qatar faced significant constraints after Iranian strikes in March damaged facilities at Ras Laffan, home to the world's largest LNG export complex, taking roughly 17% of the country's LNG export capacity offline. As the world's third-largest LNG exporter, the pace of Qatar's recovery remains closely watched by global energy markets. France-Gulf investors keep eye on long term Al-Monitor's chief business correspondent, Jack Dutton, moderates a panel with Mohammed Alsharif, senior Smart City director at the Royal Commission for Riyadh City; Mohamed Aljarallah, vice president of real estate development at King Salman International Airport; Ramez Alfayez, chief information technology officer at King Abdullah Financial District; and Aurelien Clediere, strategy and development manager at RATP Dev Mobility Cairo, at the Vision Golfe summit in Paris on June 19, 2026. — Business FranceDespite the disruption caused by the US-Israel-Iran conflict, French and Gulf business leaders remain focused on long-term investment opportunities in sectors such as artificial intelligence, technology, infrastructure and logistics.In an interview with Al-Monitor ahead of last week's Vision Golfe summit in Paris, Axel Baroux, France’s trade and investment commissioner for the United Arab Emirates and the Middle East, said geopolitical tensions had delayed some investment decisions but had not altered the region’s broader economic trajectory. “The disruption will likely be temporary, while underlying economic fundamentals and long-term strategy remain intact,” he said.That message was echoed throughout the conference. Anas Alqahtani, chief executive of Aramco-backed Wa’ed Ventures, predicted that emerging technologies and retail would drive the next wave of Saudi startup growth, supported by government incentives and rising demand. Meanwhile, executives discussing infrastructure and logistics said Gulf countries would likely channel more capital toward rebuilding damaged assets and strengthening trade routes following the war.The discussions underscored a broader theme: While the conflict has created short-term uncertainty, investors continue to bet on the Gulf's economic diversification plans and its growing role in future-focused industries. Chart of the week Iran's economic performance over the past decade has been shaped largely by sanctions, oil export restrictions and shifts in its relationship with the United States. Growth accelerated after the 2015 nuclear agreement opened the country to greater trade and investment, before slowing again after Washington withdrew from the deal in 2018 and reimposed sanctions.The June 2026 memorandum of understanding between Washington and Tehran could mark another turning point. The framework envisages sanctions relief, renewed oil exports and access to frozen Iranian assets abroad, measures that economists say could provide a significant boost to economic activity. What we found interesting this weekThe Kuwait City skyline is pictured from across the waterfront along the Gulf in Salimiyah on June 2, 2026. — YASSER AL-ZAYYAT / AFP via Getty ImagesLebanon and Kuwait have unveiled new foreign residency initiatives as governments across the Middle East seek to attract foreign capital and support economic growth amid regional uncertainty. Lebanon’s Finance and Budget Committee approved a draft law on Sunday that would grant special residency rights to foreign investors who deposit or invest at least $500,000 in the country. Supporters say the so-called golden visa could help create jobs, attract investment, and support Lebanon’s economic, financial and banking recovery after years of crisis. Critics, however, warn that the proposal could create new corruption and money-laundering risks, particularly as Lebanon remains on the Financial Action Task Force’s gray list. Last week, Kuwait unveiled a new 15-year residency permit for accredited foreign investors and their families. Applicants must meet investment and employment requirements, including a minimum capital commitment of around $3.25 million. Officials say the program supports Kuwait’s goal of becoming a regional financial and commercial hub and forms part of broader efforts to diversify the economy beyond oil. The announcements reflect intensifying competition for investment and talent across the region at a time when the US-Israel-Iran war has weighed on growth prospects and increased pressure to attract new sources of capital. Also on our radarA Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft of Saudi airline Riyadh Air is pictured on the tarmac at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh on June 7, 2026. — Sofiane ALSAAR / AFP via Getty Images✈️ Syria’s General Authority of Civil Aviation and Air Transport announced on Sunday that the Syrian government and Dutch authorities were finalizing the launch of direct flights between Damascus and Amsterdam. ✅ Saudi Arabia's new national airline, Riyadh Air, secured regulatory approval to operate flights to and from the United States, marking another milestone for the carrier as it launches into a global aviation industry that faces strong headwinds. ⚙️ As global attention fixates on oil and gas prices, the US-Israel-Iran war has also roiled industrial supply chains for aluminum, a commodity critical to everything from soda cans and smartphones to SpaceX rockets. Top deals💡 Venture capitalMoroccan proptech Agenz raises $5 millionUAE’s Rentify launches Earn AI following $2 million seed roundIsraeli AI startup Engram raises $98 millionLama AI raises $12 million Series A🔗M&A Israel’s Ratio Petroleum Energy to buy Pharos EnergyUAE’s AD Ports buys 30% more of Global Feeder Shipping for $300 millionSaudi F&B SaaS firm Foodics acquires Greek AI company Norma AI💰 Investment & financeAbu Dhabi wealth fund L’IMAD increases stake in utility firm TAQAUAE bank Emirates NBD prices $1.5 billion bond in private placementSaudi PIF-owned AviLease prices $650 millionOman wealth fund joins $255 million private credit financing for VinpearlGulf International Bank Saudi launches $250 million term loanSaudi Jabal Omar signs $533 million Murabaha deal with Saudi National BankGulf Partners Group signs $100 million private credit facility for US group NinjaTrader🤝Projects & partnershipsEtihad Rail to launch inaugural Abu Dhabi-Fujairah service UAE’s Silal signs agreements with Syria to expand agri investment, exportsUAE’s EGA inaugurates UAE’s largest aluminum recycling plantOman launches RFQ for over $1 billion Adam, Sinaw solar projectsEtihad Energy begins FEED phase for Fujairah refineryRed Sea subsidiary bags $94 million subcontract in Saudi Arabia’s DiriyahQatari group GWC seals partnership with UAE’s Meydan Free ZoneChevron to begin oil exploration off Syria this summer
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Wed, 06/24/2026 - 12:38
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| # | Наименование новости | Тональность | Информативность | Дата публикации |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oil falls below $74 as Hormuz traffic recovers after Iran war | 0 | 5 | 24-06-2026 |
| 2 | Iran’s Bagheri: No deal on Hormuz yet | 0 | 5 | 27-05-2026 |
| 3 | Analysts warn Hormuz relief falls short of what economy needs | 0 | 0 | 23-06-2026 |
| 4 | Нефть растет на сделке // Как открытие Ормузского пролива скажется на топливных котировках | 0 | 0 | 15-06-2026 |
| 5 | Oil falls to lowest price since start of Iran war as shipping picks up in the Strait of Hormuz | -2 | 6 | 24-06-2026 |
| 6 | Over 100 commercial ships pass through Strait of Hormuz in two days — US official | 0 | 0 | 21-06-2026 |
| 7 | Oil tankers navigate the Strait of Hormuz despite threats from Iran's Revolutionary Guard | 0 | 5 | 25-06-2026 |
| 8 | Iran’s knockout blow: Professor Steve Hanke on looming economic disaster as Strait of Hormuz stays closed | -5 | 3 | 06-06-2026 |
| 9 | The Strait of Hormuz's future is unsettled even as more ships venture through | 0 | 5 | 23-06-2026 |
| 10 | Iran to set up Hormuz hotline with US | 0 | 0 | 23-06-2026 |