Gulf

Horizons Middle East & Africa offers a daily spotlight on one of the world's fastest-growing regions. Broadcasting live from Dubai, it delivers global market analysis and news interviews with a special focus on MEA. The content references various locations including the Gulf, Hong Kong, London, and Johannesburg.

The movement of crude oil from producers remains despite ongoing conflict. However, leaks across the Gulf are revealing a growing environmental toll related to these operations.

Amid geopolitical instability, Gulf countries are engaging in a parallel infrastructure race driven by AI ambitions to secure data flow. Currently, over 90% of Europe–Asia data traffic passes through the Suez Canal region. To bypass chokepoints, UAE, Saudi, and Qatar are building alternative routes, such as Ooredoo Group's Fibre in the Gulf (FIG) system, which aims to link six GCC states and Iraq.

Horizons Middle East & Africa provides a daily spotlight on one of the world's fastest-growing regions. The show offers live coverage from Dubai, featuring global markets analysis, news-making interviews, and a special focus on MEA. Coverage is framed across various international locations including Hong Kong, London, and Johannesburg.

The Capital Region expects rising heat this week as rain chances diminish due to a building ridge. While isolated thunderstorms are possible Monday, high pressure is anticipated by Thursday and Friday, leading to very low measurable rain chances. The primary concern becomes dangerous heat, with heat index values expected to climb to 105 to 110 degrees.

The refining crunch is keeping fuel prices high as crude retreats. Lost capacity in Russia and the Gulf benefits US refiners, but this situation presents a political problem for Donald Trump.

Italy has deployed a significant military mission to the Gulf, marked by both the number of personnel and the specialized capabilities involved. The deployment has drawn public attention due to its controversial nature.

KKR closed a $19.2 billion global infrastructure fund, with portions allocated for Gulf energy and digital infrastructure projects. The firm has committed $5 billion to Middle East data centers and recently signed a $16 billion lease on Kuwait’s national pipeline network with Blackstone. Despite recent Iranian drone attacks on AWS data centers in the UAE and Bahrain, KKR’s investments signal confidence in the region’s digital infrastructure growth.

The Gulf has been warming at twice the rate of other oceans for over a decade, according to a meteorologist with Yale Climate Connections. This warming could lead to stronger storms in the region.

BP reported record profits of $5.73bn in Q2 2026 as oil prices rose due to disruptions in Gulf energy exports linked to the US-Israeli war on Iran. US President Donald Trump criticized major oil companies for 'making too much money' amid high prices.

BP's quarterly profits more than doubled to $5.73bn in the three months to the end of June due to the Middle East crisis disrupting Gulf energy exports. This marks the company's highest quarterly profits since the first year of Russia’s war on Ukraine.

Captain Mohammad Shafiqul Islam was stranded at sea for 115 days during a Gulf conflict, rationing food and water for his crew of 31. The incident occurred after the United States and Israel launched attacks on Iran in February, affecting the Bangladesh-flagged bulk carrier Banglar Joyjatra.

The article discusses a potential Saudi-Emirati reconciliation aimed at containing Iran through a unified Gulf strategy focusing on deterrence, engagement, and freedom of navigation. The need for a joint front is emphasized to address regional security challenges.

OPEC+ approved an oil production increase of 188,000 barrels per day starting September, completing the rollback of voluntary output cuts. The decision follows export disruptions from the Gulf, Russia, and Kazakhstan linked to the Iran and Ukraine wars.

Iran is holding funeral ceremonies for air force pilot Majid Kazemi, who was killed during a combat mission in March. Kazemi was among four crew members on two Su-24 bombers involved in an attack on 2 March 2026, when air defense systems struck the aircraft over the Gulf. Search efforts continue for the other three crew members.

August typically marks an active phase of the Atlantic hurricane season, but this year's conditions—tepid tropical waters, high wind shear, and sinking air—are deterring tropical development. A global velocity potential anomaly pattern linked to a historic El Niño is creating stable, high-shear environments, likely leading to a quieter-than-usual August with potential for subtropical activity later in the month.

Yemen’s Houthis are considering charging fees for commercial vessels passing through the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, a strategic waterway connecting the Gulf of Aden to the Red Sea. The proposal follows a recent maritime blockade of Saudi Arabia and discussions with Iranian representatives during a Houthi visit to Iran.

Oman presented Iran with a Gulf-backed proposal to jointly manage the Strait of Hormuz, including a system of voluntary fees for ships, to restore stable shipping after disruptions caused by the US-Israeli war on Iran and attacks on commercial vessels.

Oman proposed a joint regional mechanism with Iran to manage the Hormuz Strait, including voluntary fees. The proposal, supported regionally, aims to prevent Iran from having sole control of the waterway.

Iran's missile resilience is challenging US forces, as recent fighting has enabled Tehran's forces to conduct more precision strikes across the Gulf and Jordan.

El Niño reduces tropical activity in the Gulf, Caribbean, and South Florida while increasing it east of the U.S. near Bermuda. Strong El Niño years correlate with lower hurricane damage to the mainland U.S., contrasting with La Niña's increased activity across the Atlantic's Main Development Region.

SpaceX's 13th Starship test flight successfully launched and performed a controlled splashdown in the Indian Ocean, gathering critical heatshield data and testing a new de-orbiting routine for the Super Heavy booster. The mission deployed 20 Starlink V3 satellites, which later re-entered Earth's atmosphere, and demonstrated technologies for future lunar missions.

The article discusses rising fears about oil prices amid increasing troubles in the Gulf and the Red Sea. It highlights concerns over how these regional issues might impact oil prices.

South Florida is experiencing sunny and hot weather, but storms are expected to develop in the afternoon due to colliding sea breezes, potentially causing flooding. Rain chances remain elevated through Tuesday, with typical conditions returning later in the week. The Atlantic remains quiet with no tropical development expected for the next seven days.

Iran's army has halted retaliatory operations in the Gulf but warned that the conflict could escalate if US strikes continue. The statement comes ahead of Netanyahu's visit to the US.

The Iran conflict is increasing costs for Gulf food companies, with National Agricultural Development Co. reporting a 44% profit drop despite a 5.5% revenue rise due to higher feed and shipping expenses. Shipping disruptions alone added 45 million riyals in costs, nearly matching quarterly revenue growth, highlighting supply-chain vulnerabilities.

Southeast Asian governments struggle to mitigate energy shocks from renewed US-Iran conflict, raising fears of fuel disruptions in a region reliant on Gulf-linked oil imports and shipping routes. Analysts warn existing defenses against such shocks are limited.

The US has conducted strikes for the 13th consecutive night, and Iran has issued a warning about potential escalation in the Gulf. Al Jazeera reporter Tohid Asadi is covering the situation from Tehran.

Trump claims Iran is responsible for Houthi attacks in the Red Sea, referring to the Yemen rebel group as a proxy of Iran. He states that attacks by the Houthi against US allies in the Gulf will be considered Iranian attacks.

Renewed strikes on shipping in the Gulf and the Red Sea have caused oil prices to rise, dealing a fresh blow to global oil markets. The crises in Hormuz and the Red Sea are key factors driving the increase.

Gulf hotels, including those on Dubai's Palm Jumeirah, are offering steep discounts and incentives to attract local residents during a low-occupancy summer season. Prices have dropped significantly, with some nights as low as 349 dirhams, and the government has introduced perks like 3,000 dirhams in visitor incentives and suspended hotel taxes to support the sector.

Iran and Pakistan held meetings to discuss de-escalation efforts amid ongoing US-Iran tensions in the Gulf and Middle East. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressed a tough stance toward Iran but left room for diplomatic resolution. Regional conflicts, including Iranian attacks on US bases and Houthi blockades in the Red Sea, raise concerns of further escalation.

July 22 starts with mid-80s lows and heat indices in the 90s, with high temperatures in the low 90s and heat indices reaching 100-105 degrees. A few early showers are expected, followed by a mostly dry afternoon. Tropical Storm Bertha in the Gulf raises concerns for Gulf Coast states.

Iran and the Gulf are affected by the closure of Hormuz and Bab al-Mandeb. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reports the war has cost the US $37.5 billion.

Iran targeted US radar and air defense installations in the Gulf, warning of potential further attacks. Houthi rebels in Yemen threatened to blockade Saudi ports, prompting a warning from Trump that he would 'take care of' the Houthis if they proceed.

South Florida remains dry, hot, and hazy on Tuesday as Tropical Storm Bertha keeps drier breezy conditions over the region. High temperatures are in the low 90s with heat indices reaching triple digits, and the system is positioned in the Gulf.

A tropical storm could form later today in the Gulf as Tropical Depression Two is expected to intensify into Tropical Storm Bertha while moving northwestward, according to the National Hurricane Center.

Tropical Depression Two formed in the Gulf and is expected to become Tropical Storm Bertha as it moves northwest, remaining away from South Florida. Indirect impacts include passing showers on Monday morning, with scattered storms and heavy rain possible later. Miami is forecast to reach 93°F with heat indices over 105°F.

South Florida will experience lower rain and storm chances through the week due to a low-pressure system over the Gulf, which may become tropical but is expected to move away. Highs will remain in the 90s, nearing heat advisory levels.

South Florida will have hot and humid conditions with afternoon storms, reaching low to mid-90s temperatures. A tropical disturbance in the Gulf (Invest 91L) has a 60% chance of development but no direct impact on South Florida is expected. Scattered storms may affect inland and Southwest Florida, with potential for gusty winds and heavy rain.