Global coal demand is forecast to rise by 1.2 per cent in 2026, hitting an all-time high of 8.94 billion tonnes amid rampant demand from China and ructions caused by the Strait of Hormuz shipping stalemate.

Export data from March shows sharp decline in exports to countries and key markets targeted by Iranian missiles.

The Iran conflict has increased demand for digital assets to preserve and transfer wealth, while Gulf crypto businesses have kept operating through disruption, the Bitcoin Policy Institute says.

Turkish President Erdogan blamed Israel for sparking the Middle East conflict and derailing a US-Iran peace deal. Israeli PM Netanyahu responded by calling Iran's regime weak and vowing to defend Israel,

In offices across the military and in the intelligence community, there have been recent quiet discussions about cutting the number of people and facilities typically stationed in the Middle East if the Trump administration succeeds in ending the Iran conflict,

Ghana’s gold export volumes declined marginally in the first half of 2026, with shipment disruptions linked to the Middle East conflict affecting the country’s key gold export value chain.

The United States military has announced it struck and disabled three Iranian crude oil carriers, claiming Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) launched ballistic missiles at two US Navy warships in regional waters, further escalating the months-long conflict between Washington and Tehran.