Middle East War Pushes Gulf Monarchies to Reconsider Trillion-Dollar Investments

Several countries in the Persian Gulf are seriously considering declaring force majeure on some of their financial obligations to Western partners and potentially suspending major investment commitments. The discussions reflect growing concerns about the economic consequences of the military operation conducted by the United States and Israel against Iran, according to a report by The Financial Times. The British publication reports that officials in at least three Gulf states have begun assessing how the escalating regional crisis could affect their national budgets and long-term economic plans. Gulf Economies Evaluate Preventive Measures Among the region's largest economies are Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, and Qatar. According to the report, policymakers in several of these countries are exploring ways to soften the potential financial shock created by the conflict.