The International Monetary Fund (IMF) lowers its forecast for global economic growth in 2026, citing the impact of the war in Iran. Multiple outlets report that the IMF trims its expectation compared with earlier projections, attributing the downgrade to an energy shock and broader fallout from the conflict. The IMF now projects the world economy will expand by about 3.0% in 2026. Reporting also indicates the figure represents a reduction from the IMF’s previous forecast made in April, when it expected slightly higher growth. Separate coverage adds that while the Iran-related shock weighs on economic activity, some of the negative effect is partially offset by strong investment and demand connected to artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies. Outlets also describe the IMF’s outlook as “sluggish,” reflecting slower momentum across the global economy. Overall, the sources align on the direction of the revision and the main drivers: a drag from Iran war-related energy and economic disruptions, alongside partial support from technology-driven investment, particularly AI.