Saudi Arabia's finance minister said the region's prolonged crisis is dividing Middle East economies, with oil-exporting Gulf states cushioned by high energy prices while import-dependent neighbors face mounting strain. The comments come as tension near the Strait of Hormuz continues to weigh on oil markets.

Saudi Arabia's finance minister said the region's prolonged crisis is increasingly dividing Middle East economies. According to the minister, Gulf oil-exporting states have been relatively shielded by high energy prices, while neighboring economies that depend on energy imports face mounting strain and some governments are being forced to revisit public spending plans.

The comments came as tension near the Strait of Hormuz has pushed oil prices higher for weeks and weighed on regional trade. The minister said Gulf governments are continuing efforts to diversify their budgets, though regional uncertainty is testing investor confidence, with some foreign investors adopting a wait-and-see approach toward new regional commitments.

Analysts say the region's economic divergence could deepen depending on how long the crisis lasts. Gulf governments are expected to reassess their budget plans in the coming months, while regional development institutions are weighing support options for import-dependent economies.