US-Middle East relations

Inflation, energy, markets: What’s next after US-Iran peace deal

Despite the MOU, which includes a US$300 billion fund, analysts say uncertainty still lies ahead

The US-Iran MOU aims to restore shipping through Hormuz and buy time for negotiations over unresolved nuclear questions.

The US-Iran deal is foreign policy realism at work

The agreement, however incomplete, is about achieving what’s possible

A gradual reopening of the Strait of Hormuz – while talks begin over Iran’s nuclear programme – leaves a lot of room for disputes and misunderstandings.

A fragile Iran peace follows a war without victors

Trump’s deal reflects the failure of the military option in Iran

The closure of the Strait of Hormuz triggered what the International Energy Agency characterised as the “largest supply disruption in the history of the global oil market”.
THE BOTTOM LINE

What the Iran-US peace deal means for businesses

The agreement offers real economic relief, but the hard work starts now – and companies should remain cautious

A ceasefire has largely held since early April, but Iran and the US have exchanged strikes several times over the past week.

Iran studying deal to halt war as stalemate persists

Trump says talks for a deal are continuing; sources say Teheran is pushing for a limited interim agreement

The draft agreement, which the US has denied, said Iran and Oman would have a mechanism in place to oversee shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.

US denies Iran report on draft peace deal to reopen Strait of Hormuz

The document is ‘a complete fabrication’, says the White House

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the US would give diplomacy every chance to succeed before exploring “alternatives”.

US will find ‘another way’ if talks with Iran to end war fail: Rubio

Trump on May 24 said he had told his representatives not to rush into any deal

Downside risks for Singapore have risen significantly, says MTI, as energy and key input supply disruptions due to the Strait of Hormuz blockade lead to cost spikes, driving up inflationary pressures.

Singapore maintains 2026 growth forecast at 2-4% despite rising downside risks from Iran war

MTI revises Q1 GDP growth upward to 6%; UOB, Maybank raise their full-year forecasts

The UAE today is not a pure petrostate. Thus, while high oil prices will boost the country's oil revenue, they also hurt the global economy that drives the rest of the Emirati portfolio.
THE BOTTOM LINE

Why the United Arab Emirates walked away from Opec

The economic logic of the decision is just as important as the political one

Tehran relayed a new proposal to Washington via Pakistan, which mediated a first round of direct negotiations last month, Iran’s state-run Islamic Republic News Agency said on Friday.

Trump rues state of Iran talks, says prefers not to strike

Tehran relayed a new proposal to Washington via Pakistan, which mediated a first round of directed negotiations last month