×
GreekEnglish

×
  • Politics
  • Diaspora
  • World
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Culture
  • Sports
  • Cooking
Friday
16
Oct 2026
weather symbol
Athens 16°C
  • Home
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • World
  • Diaspora
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Culture
  • Sports
  • Mediterranean Cooking
  • Weather
Contact follow Protothema:
Powered by
> Economy

Gulf economies on the brink of recession due to the war in Iran

The conflict shows no signs of easing, with Iran continuing to attack neighbors across the region in retaliation for strikes by the US and Israel

Newsroom March 18 03:44

Δείτε περισσότερα άρθρα μας στα αποτελέσματα αναζήτησης

Add Protothema.gr on Google

The war in Iran threatens to deal a serious blow to the Gulf’s largest economies, including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar, if it does not end soon.

Qatar and Kuwait could see their GDP shrink by 14% this year if the conflict continues and the Strait of Hormuz remains closed until April, according to Goldman Sachs economist Farouk Soussa.

This would mark the worst economic downturn for these countries since the early 1990s, when Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait triggered the Gulf War and caused turmoil in global oil markets.

Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates are expected to fare better, given their ability to redirect oil flows away from the critical Hormuz maritime route, but they will likely still see GDP declines of around 3% and 5% respectively—the biggest economic hit since the 2020 pandemic.

>Related articles

“The future of luxury hospitality has people at its heart”: How a top hotel group prioritises employees as much as guests

Houthis strike Yemen’s Presidential Palace with missiles and drones: Five dead, Prime Minister & cabinet ministers safe

Turkey raises tensions with NAVTEX ahead of Eunomia exercise in area earmarked for cable-laying vessel

The conflict shows no signs of easing, with Iran continuing attacks on neighboring countries across the region in retaliation for strikes by the United States and Israel.

The United States struck military installations at Iran’s crude oil export hub on Kharg Island and warned it would target energy facilities if Tehran continues to disrupt traffic through the Strait of Hormuz—the “chokepoint” through which roughly one-fifth of global oil exports flows. Donald Trump also told reporters that the US is in talks with “about seven countries” to form a coalition aimed at securing the strait and escorting ships, a move the EU has rejected.

Brent crude continued its volatile rise, remaining above $100 per barrel. Futures have surged by more than 40% over the past two weeks.

Ask me anything

Explore related questions

#brink#Gulf economies#iran#israel#world
> More Economy

Follow en.protothema.gr on Google News and be the first to know all the news

See all the latest News from Greece and the World, the moment they happen, at en.protothema.gr

> Latest Stories

Turkey issues second Anti-NAVTEX in hours, challenging Cyprus’s EEZ and EMC cable survey operations linking Asia and Europe

October 16, 2026

€114m VAT fraud involving smartphones; Arrests in Cyprus, Germany and Italy, searches also in Greece

October 16, 2026

Network of 30 companies, €5.6 million fraud and asset freezes: The case involving Filippos Kampouris

October 16, 2026

“The future of luxury hospitality has people at its heart”: How a top hotel group prioritises employees as much as guests

October 16, 2026

Houthis strike Yemen’s Presidential Palace with missiles and drones: Five dead, Prime Minister & cabinet ministers safe

October 16, 2026

Eight substances found in George Mazonakis’s blood, including cocaine, family-appointed expert says

October 16, 2026

Illegal gambling in Greece: How a criminal ring used rigged software and panic buttons to evade police

October 16, 2026

George Vardinogiannis, known as “The Captain”, dies aged 90

October 16, 2026
All News

> Greece

In reverence, the emotional deposition in Jerusalem, see photos & video

The Holy Temple of the Resurrection opened after many days due to the war between Israel and Iran

April 10, 2026

In the final stretch for the accreditation of joint master’s degrees: Aiming for their launch in the coming academic year

April 10, 2026

Schedule for Epitaph Procession today (10/4)

April 10, 2026

Perfect weather for Easter excursions, according to Tsatrafyllia’s forecast

April 10, 2026

Easter in Greece: The customs that continue in Greek tradition – From Nafpaktos to Corfu

April 10, 2026
Homepage
PERSONAL DATA PROTECTION POLICY COOKIES POLICY TERM OF USE
Powered by Cloudevo
Copyright © 2026 Πρώτο Θέμα