Middle Eastern buyers pressed ahead with major acquisitions despite escalating regional tensions, announcing two significant deals worth over $11.7 billion. Qatar Investment Authority joined a consortium purchasing AES Corp. for $10.7 billion, marking one of the largest US utility transactions in years. The deal proceeded even after Iran launched missiles at Doha over the weekend.

BlackRock's Global Infrastructure Partners had brought QIA into the investor group more than a year ago, with the fund's interest remaining strong despite security concerns. The announcement came shortly after Qatar decided to halt liquefied natural gas production from its largest export facility following an Iranian drone attack. Meanwhile, Bahrain Aluminium BSC acquired Europe's top aluminum smelter, Aluminium Dunkerque Industries France SAS, in a deal valued at over €1 billion.

These transactions extend a decade-long wave of Gulf investment totaling more than $1 trillion globally, according to Bloomberg data. Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund participated in last year's $55 billion buyout of Electronic Arts, while other regional players continue expanding their international portfolios. The aggressive dealmaking demonstrates how Gulf sovereign wealth funds are leveraging their vast energy wealth to secure strategic assets worldwide, even amid heightened geopolitical risks.