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US, Israel war on Iran
US and Iran exchange attacks around Strait of Hormuz, testing ceasefire
New hostilities broke out as Iran reviews a US proposal to end war in the Middle East.
8 May 2026 - 11:24AM
US, Israel war on Iran
US-Iran peace optimism fuels Asian stock market gains
7 May 2026 - 5:00PM
US, Israel war on Iran
US strikes Iranian tanker amid reports Washington and Tehran near deal
7 May 2026 - 4:29AM
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Middle East
Israel strikes Beirut for first time since Lebanon ceasefire
The first aerial attack on the capital since April kills a senior Hezbollah commander.
7 May 2026 - 10:47AM
First responders in the Beirut southern suburb of Haret Hreik on Wednesday after an Israeli strike. Photo: AFP
South Korea
South Korea rebuffs Trump’s ‘Project Freedom’ call after Hormuz ship fire
A UN mandate and a global coalition are required before Seoul joins Trump’s mission to reopen the strait, officials indicate.
6 May 2026 - 9:16AM
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China food security
How the Middle East crisis is expanding China’s agrochemical influence
China accounts for about a third of global fertiliser production, and 70 per cent of the raw materials for chemical pesticides.
5 May 2026 - 8:29AM
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US, Israel war on Iran
US’ Bessent urges China to help open Strait of Hormuz
Treasury chief says Beijing’s energy buys fund ‘top sponsor of terrorism’, calls for action as US asserts ‘absolute control’ over waterway.
5 May 2026 - 10:33AM
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An Iran-flagged tugboat sails off Bandar Abbas on Monday. Photo: AFP
Diplomacy
Strait of Hormuz woes, US-Nato ‘crisis’: 7 global relations reads
From a possible Trump-Iran joint venture to Russia-China talks, here are highlights from the SCMP’s overseas correspondents in April 2026.
4 May 2026 - 10:30PM
Middle East
Israeli raid in West Bank leaves 1 Palestinian dead, 4 wounded
Nayef Samaro, 26, was one of five hit by gunfire; the Israeli military says troops fired after ‘terrorists’ threw rocks.
4 May 2026 - 10:02AM
US, Israel war on Iran
Trump says US will ‘guide’ ships out of Hormuz, as vessels attacked
US to launch new mission dubbed ‘Project Freedom’ as Tehran signals interference would be seen as a ceasefire violation.
4 May 2026 - 1:17PM
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Israel-Gaza war
Gaza flotilla activists detained by Israel face ‘extreme brutality’
Two foreign activists from a Gaza-bound aid flotilla intercepted near Greece were brought to Israel for interrogation, and appeared in court on Sunday.
3 May 2026 - 4:34PM
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Boats of a new humanitarian flotilla bound for the Gaza Strip make a symbolic departure from Barcelona’s Port Vell on April 12, after the departure of the flotilla was postponed due to bad weather. Photo: AFP
Middle East
‘Structural shift’: new routes for Middle East freight to bypass Hormuz
Saudi Arabia, Turkey and the UAE lead a push for a new trade architecture with multiple nodes linking the Indian Ocean to the Mediterranean Sea.
3 May 2026 - 10:30AM
US, Israel war on Iran
Trump says he’s reviewing new Iran proposal to end war
The president also has floated a new plan to reopen the Hormuz, after the US warned shipping firms against paying Iran for safe passage.
3 May 2026 - 7:09AM
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US, Israel war on Iran
Iran will not accept ‘imposed’ peace, Trump not satisfied with negotiations
US lawmakers are pressuring the President to resolve the war, while Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei is attempting to ease the war’s toll on Iran’s economy.
2 May 2026 - 9:00PM
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Saudi Arabia
UAE’s Opec exit signals aim to accelerate foreign policy diversification
Iran’s attacks on Gulf states have forced Abu Dhabi to rethink its place within the Saudi Arabia-led diplomatic architecture, analysts say.
2 May 2026 - 5:00PM
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Smoke rises in the Fujairah oil industry zone, UAE, on March 14, following an interception of a drone amid the ongoing Middle East conflict. Photo: Reuters
Middle East
Hezbollah’s cheap drones pose challenge for Israel – like ‘children’s toys’
The militant group is using devices linked to their launch site by a thin fibre-optic cable that can stretch for dozens of kilometres.
2 May 2026 - 2:48PM
2026 Trump-Xi summit
China’s UN envoy blasts US ‘bullying’ as sanctions widen before Trump-Xi talks
Curbs tied to Iran and a fragile ceasefire cast a shadow over the leaders’ planned Beijing summit as tensions between the powers mount.
2 May 2026 - 6:36AM
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US-China trade war
US sanctions China-based operator, others over alleged Iran oil trade links
State Department targets Qingdao Haiye Oil Terminal for allegedly importing ‘tens of millions of barrels of sanctioned Iranian crude oil’.
2 May 2026 - 7:38AM
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Oil tankers and cargo ships line up in the Strait of Hormuz off Khor Fakkan, United Arab Emirates, on March 11. Photo: AP
US, Israel war on Iran
Trump says hostilities in Iran ‘terminated’ ahead of war powers deadline
Trump administration argues war in Iran has ended due to ceasefire, allowing White House to avoid the need to seek congressional approval.
2 May 2026 - 5:00AM
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US, Israel war on Iran
Facing 60-day deadline, Trump administration claims Iran war ‘terminated’
White House signals it will ignore Friday’s War Powers cut-off, arguing April ceasefire paused hostilities.
1 May 2026 - 4:08PM
Brics
Iran war tests India’s Brics leadership as ‘political relevance’ questions mount
With Brics members Iran and the UAE as belligerents, the bloc has failed to reach a common position on the Middle East conflict.
30 Apr 2026 - 7:49PM
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US, Israel war on Iran
Global oil price hits 4-year high on concerns Iran war could worsen
Global oil benchmark Brent hits $126.41 a barrel, amid warnings it could reach US$150 as peace talks stall.
1 May 2026 - 12:50PM
Vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, as seen from Musandam in Oman on Monday. Photo: Reuters
US, Israel war on Iran
Oil surge on Trump blockade warning tests stocks’ resilience
Crude oil surged to a four-year high and stocks pared April gains after US President Donald Trump said that a US block of the Strait of Hormuz could last months.
30 Apr 2026 - 5:00PM
Israel-Gaza war
Israel intercepts Gaza aid flotilla in international waters off Greece, detaining dozens
Organisers accuse Israel of ‘abduction’ after boats are seized nearly 1,000km from the Palestinian enclave.
1 May 2026 - 9:35AM
US, Israel war on Iran
Trump hails ‘very good’ Putin call as Iran talks stall and Ukraine war drags on
US president says Russian leader offered help on Iran’s enriched uranium and discussed a Victory Day ceasefire in Ukraine.
30 Apr 2026 - 5:02PM
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