When tensions rise in the Middle East, the shock waves hit American businesses fast — especially those knee-deep in oil, weapons, and infrastructure.
Right now, traders on Polymarket think there around a 30% chance that the U.S. could take military action against Iran, which could shake things up even further.
From military giants to energy titans, here are the U.S. companies with the deepest roots — and possibly the highest risk — in the region.
Boeing
Boeing leans heavily on defense deals with Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE. Fighter jets, missile systems, surveillance tech — big-ticket items that depend on stable diplomacy. If those ties fray, billions in contracts could go with them.
Chevron
With oil operations in Iraq and Kurdistan, Chevron’s fortunes are tied to regional calm. A single strike on infrastructure or a sudden political flare-up can freeze production and blow up costs overnight.
Citigroup
Citi’s deep banking ties in the Gulf — including major roles in regional sovereign wealth funds — make it vulnerable to capital flight, sanctions, or a market panic. When things go sideways, the financial hit can come fast and hard.
ExxonMobil
Exxon has serious stakes in Middle Eastern oil and gas, especially in Iraq and across the Persian Gulf. Conflict near chokepoints like the Strait of Hormuz could stall exports and send prices — and risk — skyrocketing.
General Dynamics
The tanks and weapons General Dynamics sells to allies like Saudi Arabia are good for business — until politics get in the way. Arms deals can get held up or scrapped entirely when war, sanctions, or public pressure take center stage.
Halliburton
Halliburton doesn’t just work in the Middle East — it’s entrenched. From Saudi oil fields to Iraq’s service contracts, it’s all high-reward, high-risk. When war breaks out, they’re one of the first to feel the heat.
Honeywell
Honeywell’s footprint is wide but quieter — security systems, aviation tech, smart infrastructure. It’s woven into the region’s modernization push, which means any major unrest puts a lot of deals and deployments in limbo.
Lockheed Martin
Lockheed’s got billions tied up in military hardware headed to Gulf States. Think F-35s, missile defense systems, and training contracts. But that pipeline runs through D. C. — and shifting U.S. politics could turn off the tap.
McDermott International
They build the pipelines, platforms, and energy infrastructure that keep the Middle East pumping. Based in Texas, yes, but McDermott’s revenue is deeply tied to regional calm. No stability, no projects.
Raytheon Technologies
Raytheon’s Patriot missile systems are a staple of Gulf defense — especially when tensions spike. But those defense sales can draw political fire at home, and every escalation invites scrutiny and volatility.
