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A dropout living in a trailer, he got $1 million from Peter Thiel at 19—now he's a billionaire who says the American Dream isn't dead

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U.S. strategic reserves are getting so low the drawdown threatens to damage the 60 underground salt caverns storing American oil

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Billionaire Gen Zer dropped out of high school to launch his startup at 17—now he’s the richest self-made 25-year-old in the U.K and all of Europe

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A dropout living in a trailer, he got $1 million from Peter Thiel at 19—now he's a billionaire who says the American Dream isn't dead

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U.S. strategic reserves are getting so low the drawdown threatens to damage the 60 underground salt caverns storing American oil

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Billionaire Gen Zer dropped out of high school to launch his startup at 17—now he’s the richest self-made 25-year-old in the U.K and all of Europe
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Fortune Gulf Brief is Fortune's weekly Tuesday newsletter covering business, investment, and economic trends across the Middle East, written by Fortune writer Melissa Hancock. It delivers expert analysis on the deals, leaders, and policies shaping the GCC region for global executives. Sign up here.
Trump pivoted from bombs to an economic war against Iran. But Tehran is now ‘fully offensive’ and doesn’t think the real fighting has even started yet
Trump pivoted from bombs to an economic war against Iran. But Tehran is now ‘fully offensive’ and doesn’t think the real fighting has even started yet

Unless the U.S. implements the June ceasefire deal in a few weeks, Iran will launch a “timely and precise” ​attack to break the blockade, an Iranian official told Reuters.

By Jason MaAugust 17, 2026
Iran’s oil is trapped while rivals’ exports from the Persian Gulf are poised to surge, but Tehran could do whatever it takes to break the choke hold
Iran’s oil is trapped while rivals’ exports from the Persian Gulf are poised to surge, but Tehran could do whatever it takes to break the choke hold
By Jason MaAugust 16, 2026
Iran business leader admits U.S. blockade will inflict more economic damage than war, and the ‘worst thing that could happen’ is trying to evade it
Iran business leader admits U.S. blockade will inflict more economic damage than war, and the ‘worst thing that could happen’ is trying to evade it
By Jason MaAugust 15, 2026
The Gulf’s AI boom is driving the race to control the data highways
The Gulf’s AI boom is driving the race to control the data highways
By Melissa HancockAugust 12, 2026
The Gulf wants to break free from the world’s data chokepoints
The Gulf wants to break free from the world’s data chokepoints
By Melissa HancockAugust 12, 2026
Trump is betting that the U.S. naval blockade choking Iran’s economy can achieve what bombs and missiles couldn’t as more oil sneaks out of the Gulf
Trump is betting that the U.S. naval blockade choking Iran’s economy can achieve what bombs and missiles couldn’t as more oil sneaks out of the Gulf
By Jason MaAugust 9, 2026
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The U.S. built its brand by attracting the world’s best and brightest. It must not lose that advantage
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The U.S. built its brand by attracting the world’s best and brightest. It must not lose that advantage
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Meet the venture capital and crypto billionaires quietly bankrolling the fight against California’s wealth tax
By Mia OsmonbekovAugust 18, 2026
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Gulf bond markets extend their rally despite uncertain outlook
Newsletters
Gulf bond markets extend their rally despite uncertain outlook
By Melissa HancockJune 30, 2026
GCC debt markets have rallied since the ceasefire, but tight liquidity remains a key hurdle 
Middle East
GCC debt markets have rallied since the ceasefire, but tight liquidity remains a key hurdle 
By Melissa HancockJune 30, 2026
U.S. official says $6 billion in frozen Iranian assets will be released, while Oman discusses possible Hormuz service fees with Tehran
Politics
U.S. official says $6 billion in frozen Iranian assets will be released, while Oman discusses possible Hormuz service fees with Tehran
By Jon Gambrell, Josh Boak and The Associated PressJune 29, 2026
Photo: Kevin Warsh
Economy
President Trump will not get what he wants from Kevin Warsh, a source tells us, as inflation will force the Fed upwards
By Jim EdwardsJune 29, 2026
Markets feel relief as the U.S. and Iran agree to a ceasefire on their earlier ‘ceasefire’ that was looking at lot like a war over Hormuz
Energy
Markets feel relief as the U.S. and Iran agree to a ceasefire on their earlier ‘ceasefire’ that was looking at lot like a war over Hormuz
By Jason MaJune 28, 2026
Iran is forcing the U.S. into an escalation trap as a ‘shadow war’ over the Strait of Hormuz heats up that could kill the tenuous ceasefire
Politics
Iran is forcing the U.S. into an escalation trap as a ‘shadow war’ over the Strait of Hormuz heats up that could kill the tenuous ceasefire
By Jason MaJune 28, 2026
Iran attacks Bahrain and Kuwait in response to U.S. airstrikes and threatens a ‘complete halt’ in peace talks as fighting over Hormuz continues
Politics
Iran attacks Bahrain and Kuwait in response to U.S. airstrikes and threatens a ‘complete halt’ in peace talks as fighting over Hormuz continues
By Jon Gambrell, Melanie Lidman and The Associated PressJune 28, 2026
Forget the ceasefire — The U.S. and Iran are still locked in combat over the Strait of Hormuz as Tehran tries to shut down a competing route
Middle East
Forget the ceasefire — The U.S. and Iran are still locked in combat over the Strait of Hormuz as Tehran tries to shut down a competing route
By Jason MaJune 27, 2026
U.S. aircraft attack Iran in response to drone strike on cargo ship that Tehran called ‘ceasefire management’ as both sides wrestle for Hormuz control
Politics
U.S. aircraft attack Iran in response to drone strike on cargo ship that Tehran called ‘ceasefire management’ as both sides wrestle for Hormuz control
By Collin Binkley, Jon Gambrell and The Associated PressJune 26, 2026
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By Sasha RogelbergJune 25, 2026
The Iran war is accelerating the EV transition faster than any climate policy ever did—but it’s still just not that much
Energy
The Iran war is accelerating the EV transition faster than any climate policy ever did—but it’s still just not that much
By Catherina GioinoJune 25, 2026
Trump’s Iran war provoked the Senate enough to get it to symbolically vote to curb his war powers for the first time
Politics
Trump’s Iran war provoked the Senate enough to get it to symbolically vote to curb his war powers for the first time
By The Associated PressJune 24, 2026
Iran keeps contradicting Trump on whether it agreed to nuclear inspections, but he says there’s no rush anyway
Middle East
Iran keeps contradicting Trump on whether it agreed to nuclear inspections, but he says there’s no rush anyway
By Munir Ahmed, David Rising, Jon Gambrell and The Associated PressJune 24, 2026
Trump, Rubio, and Hegseth sit next to each other at a dark wooden table.
Economy
The Pentagon said Iran War costs $29 billion, but the real cost is closer to $200 billion—and counting
By Jacqueline MunisJune 24, 2026
iran
Energy
The Strait of Hormuz is ‘open’ — but it’s mined, half-empty, and subject to tolls both sides say they might charge
By Wyatte Grantham-Philips, Mae Anderson and The Associated PressJune 23, 2026
Saudi PIF’s governor wants the kingdom to become a global investment center
Newsletters
Saudi PIF’s governor wants the kingdom to become a global investment center
By Melissa HancockJune 23, 2026
Saudi Aramco’s chairman calls for “energy realism” 
Middle East
Saudi Aramco’s chairman calls for “energy realism” 
By Melissa HancockJune 23, 2026
Dow futures drop as first day of U.S.-Iran talks sees Trump threaten Tehran on Hormuz: ‘You close it and you won’t have a country’
Energy
Dow futures drop as first day of U.S.-Iran talks sees Trump threaten Tehran on Hormuz: ‘You close it and you won’t have a country’
By Jason MaJune 21, 2026
Oil keeps flowing through Hormuz despite Iran saying it’s shut
Energy
Oil keeps flowing through Hormuz despite Iran saying it’s shut
By Weilun Soon, Julian Lee and BloombergJune 21, 2026
Vice President JD Vance heads to Switzerland for talks with Iran but says he will only be there ‘for a day or two’
Middle East
Vice President JD Vance heads to Switzerland for talks with Iran but says he will only be there ‘for a day or two’
By Kareem Chehayeb, Bassem Mroue, Seung Min Kim, Munir Ahmed and The Associated PressJune 20, 2026
Shipping companies will decide when the Strait of Hormuz is truly open—not the U.S. or Iran—and the latest deal is already sowing confusion
Energy
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By Jason MaJune 20, 2026
Trump threatens to charge U.S. tolls in Strait of Hormuz for ‘services rendered as the Guardian Angel to the countries of the Middle East’
Energy
Trump threatens to charge U.S. tolls in Strait of Hormuz for ‘services rendered as the Guardian Angel to the countries of the Middle East’
By Kareem Chehayeb, Bassem Mroue, Munir Ahmed and The Associated PressJune 20, 2026
Iran floats ‘insurance fees’ and asserts control over Hormuz
Energy
Iran floats ‘insurance fees’ and asserts control over Hormuz
By Alex Longley, Alaric Nightingale, Ellen Milligan and BloombergJune 20, 2026
Iran closes Strait of Hormuz again, citing Israel’s attacks in Lebanon, and downplays delayed talks with U.S. that will begin in Switzerland
Middle East
Iran closes Strait of Hormuz again, citing Israel’s attacks in Lebanon, and downplays delayed talks with U.S. that will begin in Switzerland
By The Associated PressJune 20, 2026
The U.S. and Iran have signed a peace deal. How long will it take for oil flows in Asia to return to normal? 
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The U.S. and Iran have signed a peace deal. How long will it take for oil flows in Asia to return to normal? 
By Angelica AngJune 19, 2026
‘Iran just basically put its wish list into this’: The Trump-Iran agreement gives Iran a free pass on nuclear treaty violations pending final deal
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‘Iran just basically put its wish list into this’: The Trump-Iran agreement gives Iran a free pass on nuclear treaty violations pending final deal
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The art of the bail: Iran got what it wanted. Did the U.S.? Everyone is judging Trump’s MIA MOU
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The art of the bail: Iran got what it wanted. Did the U.S.? Everyone is judging Trump’s MIA MOU
By Jim EdwardsJune 17, 2026
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