Submit comment or question
Note: All comments are displayed with user's screen name. If screen name is not present, user's full name will be used. Please go to My Account to update your screen name.
Comment Policy: Urner Barry has made the comment feature available to encourage further discussion of our news stories. Defamatory or offensive comments, or comments deemed not relevant to the story will be removed, and if necessary, Urner Barry may restrict the right of individual subscribers to offer comments. In all cases, comments represent opinions of the poster only, and do not represent fact, news, opinions or estimates put forward by Urner Barry.
Email Address is required. Password is required.
Middle East Market Intelligence Brief: Week Ending August 28, 2026
US sanctions on Iran intensified this week, with Washington targeting entities linked to Tehran’s oil, shipping, and financial networks whilst threatening secondary sanctions on countries doing business with Iran.
Qatar is stepping up mediation efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, with Iran preparing conditions for restoring normal shipping.
US forces say international lanes are open after mine-clearing operations, but traffic remains well below normal levels amid continued tensions and sanctions.
Below is Expana’s weekly summary of the war’s most significant effects on global commodities. For the latest real-time updates, follow...
Middle East Market Intelligence Brief: Week Ending July 31, 2026
Geopolitical risks remained elevated this week as tensions around key energy corridors persisted. Diplomatic efforts continued alongside security concerns, with Iran and Oman extending discussions over the future management of Hormuz, despite Tehran rejecting Oman’s proposal for joint oversight.
Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia sought to deepen regional defence cooperation focused on safeguarding maritime routes across the Bab el-Mandeb, Red Sea, and Gulf of Aden.
Energy supply risks intensified after a drone strike reportedly set two gas vessels ablaze at Egypt’s Damietta port, reviving concerns over potential disruptions to shipping through...
Middle East Market Intelligence Brief: Week Ending July 10, 2026
This week, US President Donald Trump said a US-Iran memorandum aimed at ending the war was no longer valid, following renewed strikes and tensions.
He also announced plans to cut trade ties with Spain, criticizing its NATO contributions, as European leaders sought unity at the alliance summit.
Middle East Market Intelligence Brief: Week Ending June 5, 2026
As the Iran war heads into its fourth month, Hezbollah rejected a US-brokered ceasefire proposal in Lebanon, while Israel said it would continue operations and not withdraw troops, despite Trump’s claims of progress toward a wider regional peace effort involving Iran.Meanwhile, fighting and strikes continue across Lebanon, Gaza, and the Gulf region, with tensions persisting around key energy routes like the Strait of Hormuz.Below is Expana’s weekly summary of the war’s most significant effects on global commodities. For the latest real-time updates, follow the Middle East Conflict tag...
FEATURED STORIES
ANALYSIS: Mexican Beef Exports to US Exhibited Mixed Movement in August
ANALYSIS: Tom Turkey Market in a Standstill as Limited Supply Clashes With Buyer Caution
ANALYSIS: EU Egg Exports Ease in July as UK and Japan Demand Softens
ANALYSIS: New Zealand’s August 2026 Beef Exports Ease as Tight Supply Checks China Growth
ANALYSIS: US Pork Belly Prices Near Record Lows on Ample Supply and Slower Demand