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Top Saudi Delegation Attends Saudi-Iraqi Coordination Council in Baghdad

File photo: Saudi Arabia's King Salman bin Abdulaziz meets with Iraq's President Barham Salih during his visit in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, November 18, 2018. Reuters
File photo: Saudi Arabia's King Salman bin Abdulaziz meets with Iraq's President Barham Salih during his visit in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, November 18, 2018. Reuters
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Top Saudi Delegation Attends Saudi-Iraqi Coordination Council in Baghdad

File photo: Saudi Arabia's King Salman bin Abdulaziz meets with Iraq's President Barham Salih during his visit in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, November 18, 2018. Reuters
File photo: Saudi Arabia's King Salman bin Abdulaziz meets with Iraq's President Barham Salih during his visit in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, November 18, 2018. Reuters

A top Saudi delegation led by Minister of Commerce and Investment Majid al-Qassabi will travel to Baghdad on Wednesday to meet Iraqi officials on trade and investment and attend the second meeting of the Saudi-Iraqi Coordination Council.

The delegation is scheduled to hold talks with Iraqi President Barham Salih, Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi and Speaker Mohammed al-Halbousi.

Iraqi Foreign Ministry spokesman Ahmed al-Sahhaf told Asharq Al-Awsat that the visit of the Saudi delegation comes within the framework of coordination between the two countries at all levels.

Sahhaf pointed out that Saudi Arabia can play a role in Iraq’s reconstruction phase, and cooperate with various economic figures.

The first session of the Saudi-Iraqi Coordination Council was held in October 2017 under the patronage of Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz and former Iraqi prime minister Haider al-Abadi.

During Wednesday’s visit, the two sides are expected to sign important agreements and launch a number of projects in several fields.

Saudi Ambassador to Iraq Abdul Aziz al-Shammari noted that Saudi-Iraqi relations are at their best.

The diplomat indicated that Riyadh plans to issue visas to Iraqi citizens through a consulate that is set to open in Baghdad in the coming months.

The Saudi-Iraqi Coordination Council aims to enhance relations between both countries in all fields and coordinate efforts to serve the interests of the peoples of the two states.

It also aims to promote the exchange of technical expertise between Saudi Arabia and Iraq and enhance cooperation in the field of scientific research.

Earlier, the Saudi ambassador told Asharq al-Awsat that the Arar border crossing will open in June, after Riyadh pledged to fully establish an Iraqi crossing point with all the needed requirements including the infrastructure, technical and office supplies, and inspection equipment.

Shammari stressed that area will host the largest trade exchange facility between the two countries, and will be on the Saudi side. He asserted that all imported goods from Saudi Arabia will cost less when transferred via Arar and will have a positive impact on Iraq’s economy.

The diplomat also revealed that the two countries are mulling to sign an agreement to issue visas for Iraqi businessmen and citizens to enter Saudi Arabia.

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Business

Less than a Month's Supply: Europe's Jet Fuel Stocks are Wafer Thin as Iran Tensions Flare

An Exolum refueling tanker fills an airplane at Almeria airport in Spain, April 19, 2026. REUTERS/Nacho Doce/File Photo
An Exolum refueling tanker fills an airplane at Almeria airport in Spain, April 19, 2026. REUTERS/Nacho Doce/File Photo
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Less than a Month's Supply: Europe's Jet Fuel Stocks are Wafer Thin as Iran Tensions Flare

An Exolum refueling tanker fills an airplane at Almeria airport in Spain, April 19, 2026. REUTERS/Nacho Doce/File Photo
An Exolum refueling tanker fills an airplane at Almeria airport in Spain, April 19, 2026. REUTERS/Nacho Doce/File Photo

Europe has imported jet fuel from the US and Asia, raised its refiners' output and drawn on stocks to keep planes flying – and yet it remains the region most exposed as renewed Middle Eastern tension raises the risk of further supply disruption.

Britain, France and Germany are particularly vulnerable in a continent where decades of refinery closures left it more reliant than most on Middle Eastern shipments via the Strait of Hormuz, Reuters said.

The Strait, conduit for around a fifth of the world's seaborne oil and liquefied natural gas until US-Israeli airstrikes unleashed a war on Iran at the end of February, partly reopened in June.

In July, however, a fragile truce has come under threat from strikes by both sides.

Data from consultancy Energy Aspects dated June 18 already anticipates a supply deficit across Europe of nearly 600,000 barrels ‌per day in ‌the third quarter, against surpluses of 116,000 bpd in the United States and 425,000 ‌bpd ⁠in Asia-Pacific.

Inventories stood at ⁠38 million barrels at the start of June, compared with 99 million in the United States, Energy Aspects said. That leaves Europe with less than 30 days of demand cover, Reuters calculations show — the tightest of the major jet fuel markets.

The most recent data available from the International Energy Agency's latest monthly report, showed provisionally jet fuel stocks were 10% higher year-on-year at the end of May, while refinery output rose 30%. The figures also implied only a month of leeway.

"We still do expect some tightness through August at this rate," said Janiv Shah, analyst at Rystad.

The European Commission has also acknowledged the ⁠situation could get worse.

EU Energy Commissioner Dan Jorgensen said in June the bloc faced tighter ‌jet fuel stocks towards the end of the summer holiday season and ‌that Brussels would coordinate releases of national reserves if needed.

CARGOES FROM CANADA TO SOUTH KOREA

Until war broke out at the ‌end of February, Europe had relied on the Middle East for around half of its jet fuel imports.

In March, ‌analysts had expected African countries, which sourced nearly all their jet fuel from the Middle East, to be the hardest hit.

However, they have managed to increased imports from Nigeria's Dangote refinery, as well as India and Oman, according to data from commodities intelligence firm Kpler.

Europe, meanwhile, has so far prevented supplies running out by turning to new sellers, such as Canada.

In June, Europe overall imported ‌673,000 bpd of jet fuel, its highest since October 2025, Kpler data showed.

The US and Nigeria were the biggest exporters to Europe, but Kuwait, Canada, India and ⁠South Korea also provided ⁠cargoes.

Imports from India in June reached their highest since February and nearly 25,000 bpd Kuwaiti barrels are due to arrive in August for the first time since early March through a ship-to-ship transfer on the ship Proteus Harvonne.

Before flows were interrupted, Kuwait was one of the biggest suppliers of jet to the region.

Among those who increased production to ease the strain, Italian refiners increased jet fuel production by 10% in the first four months of the year.

The countries' imports fell 6%, enabling domestic production to meet nearly 70% of demand in March and April, according to UNEM, Italy's fuel producers' association.

Eni, which accounts for around half of Italy's jet fuel production capacity, boosted output by importing semi-finished products from outside Europe, industry sources said.

Jet fuel prices in northwest Europe meanwhile have fallen to around $133.27 a barrel from a record $215.32 at the end of March, easing pressure on airlines. Fuel typically accounts for between 20% and 25% of operating costs.

Immediate discounts to air ticket prices are unlikely, analysts say, as demand is strong and capacity is limited, especially after many carriers cut flights to maximize fuel supplies.

Business

Oil Jumps 4% as New Military Strikes Threaten Hormuz Shipments

FILE PHOTO: Crude oil storage, a part of the United States' strategic oil reserve, is pictured in the Permian Basin oil field near Midland, Texas, US February 18, 2025. REUTERS/Eli Hartman/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Crude oil storage, a part of the United States' strategic oil reserve, is pictured in the Permian Basin oil field near Midland, Texas, US February 18, 2025. REUTERS/Eli Hartman/File Photo
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Oil Jumps 4% as New Military Strikes Threaten Hormuz Shipments

FILE PHOTO: Crude oil storage, a part of the United States' strategic oil reserve, is pictured in the Permian Basin oil field near Midland, Texas, US February 18, 2025. REUTERS/Eli Hartman/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Crude oil storage, a part of the United States' strategic oil reserve, is pictured in the Permian Basin oil field near Midland, Texas, US February 18, 2025. REUTERS/Eli Hartman/File Photo

Oil prices surged over 4% on Monday as energy shipments via the Strait of Hormuz remained under threat, with the US and Iran announcing renewed military strikes.

Brent crude futures climbed $3.10, or 4.08%, to $79.11 by 0325 GMT, while US West Texas Intermediate crude rose $2.95, or 4.11%, to $74.36 a barrel, Reuters reported.

US forces completed another wave of strikes against Iran on Sunday, hitting dozens of targets at multiple locations with precision munitions, the Central Command said. Iran's Revolutionary Guards said on Monday they ⁠attacked US military bases ⁠in Kuwait and Bahrain.

US President Donald Trump said on Sunday that the Strait of Hormuz is open to commercial traffic, although Iran declared earlier that it closed the strait after a vessel traveled on an unapproved route and was struck.

Some 20% of the world's oil and liquefied ⁠natural gas transited the strait before the war began at the end of February.

Six vessels transited the strait on Sunday, ship-tracking data from Kpler showed, the lowest number in five weeks.

The escalating attacks cast further doubt on the future of an interim US-Iranian agreement signed last month that aimed to reopen the strait and end the war after a further 60 days of negotiations.

Following the agreement, global oil supply rose by 4.1 million barrels per day in June, but remained ⁠9.4 million ⁠bpd below pre-war levels, the International Energy Agency said in its monthly report on Friday.

"Hopes of a relatively quick resolution to the recent skirmishes may be in doubt after tension escalated over the weekend," ANZ analysts said in a note.

IG market analyst Tony Sycamore said the relatively tame rise in oil prices suggested the market was taking the view that the current flare-up represented an escalation within a fragile truce and fell well short of a complete collapse of the ceasefire.

"How accurate that view is remains to be seen," he said in a note.

Business

Egypt's January-March Current Account Deficit Widens to $5.1 billion

The headquarters of the Central Bank of Egypt in downtown Cairo (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The headquarters of the Central Bank of Egypt in downtown Cairo (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Egypt's January-March Current Account Deficit Widens to $5.1 billion

The headquarters of the Central Bank of Egypt in downtown Cairo (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The headquarters of the Central Bank of Egypt in downtown Cairo (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Egypt's current account deficit more than doubled to $5.1 billion in the January-March quarter from $2.3 billion a year earlier, central bank data showed on Sunday.

Net foreign direct investment inflows edged down to $3.7 billion from $3.8 billion in the same period of 2025, Reuters reported.

The central bank attributed the wider July-March current account deficit mainly to a larger merchandise trade deficit, partly offset by higher remittances, tourism revenue and Suez Canal receipts.

Remittances from Egyptians working abroad rose to $12.8 billion from $9.3 billion in the same quarter last year, Reuters reported.

Tourism revenue increased to $4.2 billion from $3.8 billion in the same period last year. Suez Canal revenues rose to $1 billion from $800 million a year earlier.

Oil imports increased to $5.7 billion in the same quarter, from $4.8 billion a year earlier, while exports rose slightly to $1.6 billion from $1.2 billion.