Mohammed Sergie

The UAE and Iran are easing tensions, with a decline in Iranian strikes against the UAE since April 29 and resumed direct flights and commercial shipping. The UAE is pursuing economic and diplomatic engagement with Iran while strengthening defense ties with Israel and the US, prioritizing 'resilience' as a strategic goal.

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.

Sovereign wealth funds are increasing investments in private markets and infrastructure, with Middle Eastern investors leading the shift. Invesco's research highlights that Gulf sovereign funds have been particularly active in infrastructure, and all Middle East investors surveyed identified AI infrastructure and semiconductors as major long-term opportunities.

The U.S.-Israeli war against Iran is affecting Gulf States and their economies. Semafor's Mohammed Sergie provides insight on CBS News.

Saudi Arabia has increased film production rebates to 60% to attract filmmakers, but producers face challenges in collecting funds and navigating the process. A Saudi-based company was launched to assist foreign studios in accessing these incentives, which align with the kingdom’s broader entertainment strategy. However, industry growth depends on simplifying bureaucratic hurdles.

Qatar Airways reported a 7% decline in annual net profit to $1.9 billion due to airspace closures and flight cancellations caused by the Iran conflict. The disruption significantly impacted Gulf airlines' operations, though competitor Emirates benefited from faster capacity restoration in Dubai. Qatar Airways continues expansion plans despite challenges, with a bright spot in its private jet division.

Saudi Aramco and French startup Pasqal have launched Saudi Arabia's first quantum computer, housed at Aramco's Dhahran data center to address complex challenges in energy and industrial sectors. The quantum system is part of Aramco's broader technology initiative, which also includes a new supercomputer expected in 2027 that will increase computing capacity sevenfold for seismic imaging and reservoir simulations. The companies have jointly developed systems optimizing carbon dioxide storage, logistics, and well placement.

Kuwait has arrested Iranians who attempted to infiltrate its territory by sea, amidst ongoing tensions between Gulf states and Iran. The incident is linked to the Israeli-U.S. war against Iran. Reports also suggest secret attacks by the UAE against Tehran.