Middle East News & Analysis

Middle East

Russia’s trade and investment into the Middle East is rapidly developing, with relations both through the Gulf Cooperation Council and the Arab League all helping boost bilateral trade by 25% during 2025. Partially driven by the developments along the INSTC, and new regional free trade agreements, we provide analysis of the growing Russia-Middle East economic partnership. Discover trade statistics, investment flows from the GCC, and business opportunities for companies in both regions.

Featured January 20, 2025

Syria Bans Russian Imports 

Syria’s Transitional Administration has announced a new decree banning the importation of goods from Russia as well as Iran and Israel. This decision comes after the Syrian government had also imposed restrictions on the entry of citizens from Iran and Israel. This ban will be enforced at all land and sea border points in the […]

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January 19, 2025

Russia’s VTB Bank To Open Full Banking Services In Iran

Russia’s VTB bank plans to open a full-fledged subsidiary bank in Iran by the end of 2025, the bank’s President and Board Chairman Andrei Kostin has stated. VTB opened a representative office in Iran in 2023. Kostin said that “We plan to open a full-service bank by the end of this year. VTB will be […]

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January 17, 2025

Russia, Iran Sign 20 Year Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Treaty 

President Vladimir Putin of Russia and President Masoud Pezeshkian of Iran have been holding talks at the Kremlin on Friday (January 17) and have signed a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Treaty. According to officials from both counties, the document covers multiple areas, including defense, the fight against terrorism, the energy sector, finances, transport, industries, agriculture, culture, […]

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January 13, 2025

Oman Looking To Attract Russian Investors To Develop As A Middle East Hub  

Oman is interested in attracting Russian investors in the sectors of sustainable development, tourism, technology, as well as other areas, according to the Omani government. In order to create favorable conditions for foreign investment, Oman has been developing special economic zones in the country and has specifically created areas where the Sultanate needs a Russian […]

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January 6, 2025

Iran Imports From Russia Up As New Supply Chains Kick In

Iran’s imports of non-oil products from Russia have reached US$1.1 billion in the past 8 months, according to Foroud Asgari, Iran’s Minister of Customs. He said that Russia has now become the fifth largest source of Iranian imports. In early December, Russian President Vladimir Putin had highlighted the stability and reliability of trade and economic […]

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January 3, 2025

What To Expect From BRICS 2025? 

Brazil has just become the new Chair of the BRICS group, taking over from Russia. The 2025 BRICS summit can be expected to be held in Rio de Janeiro, where the G20 also met just a few months ago, ensuring Brazil retains a global focus of key economic participants. Many in Brazil already regard the […]

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December 30, 2024

New Syrian Regime Wants ‘Good Relations’ With Russia, No Planned Withdrawal

The new Syrian authorities, led by the country’s de facto leader Ahmed Hussein al-Sharaa, of the Islamists Hayat Tahrir-al-Sham (HTS) would like to remain on good terms with Russia, al-Sharaa has said, stating in an interview with local broadcaster Al Arabiya on Sunday (December 29) that his government would not necessarily be seeking the withdrawal […]

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