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Iran

The latest news, analysis and opinion on Iran. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.

Capital

Tehran

Head of State

Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei

Head of Government

President Masoud Pezeshkian

The Global South will face ‘heavy collateral damage’ as a result of the deepening Strait of Hormuz crisis and the war in the Middle East which is choking the critical flow of oil, fertilisers and perishable goods. Photo: CN-STR/AFP/China OUT

China food security

Global South to bare the brunt of Strait of Hormuz crisis amid food scarcity

Commerce chief warns of ‘heavy collateral damage’ in developing economies as flow of oil, fertiliser and perishable goods are restricted.

3 minutes agovideocam

Mandatory Provident Fund (MPF)

Hong Kong’s eMPF to cut fees from April, saving US$6.4 billion in 10 years

56 minutes ago

US, Israel war on Iran

With a host of top figures killed in war, who is now running Iran?

1 hour ago

US, Israel war on Iran

‘I think we have won’: Trump’s ever-shifting positions on the Iran war

From ‘bombing our hearts out’ to ‘very good and productive conversations’, Trump’s own words reveal a dizzying evolution of US war goals.

2 hours agovideocam

US President Donald Trump looks at a model of a B-2 bomber commemorating ‘Operation Midnight Hammer’ against Iran. Photo: Reuters

Hong Kong society

Letters | How Hong Kong can map a path forward for mandatory reporting of child abuse

Readers discuss ways for the city to better protect children while supporting mandated reporters of abuse, cruelty to animals, and the Epstein scandal.

3 hours ago

Hong Kong stock market

Hong Kong stocks rebound on hopes of a US-Iran deal as tensions ease

Hang Seng Index climbs as Washington pauses Iran strikes, boosting hopes of a breakthrough deal.

4 hours ago

China-Middle East relations

Opinion | When it comes to the Persian Gulf, China’s top priority is economics

Beijing’s refusal to pick sides between Iran and other Gulf states affirms its strategic positioning rather than a desire to shift paradigms.

5 hours agovideocam

China exports

The Iran war could widen China’s EV lead over its global rivals. Here’s why

The ‘eye-watering’ surge in oil prices may push consumers around the world to switch to electric cars, boosting Chinese brands, analysts say.

3 hours agovideocam

Middle East

Israel pounds south Beirut, says captured Hezbollah fighters

Israel expands Lebanon assault as it fights Hezbollah in a spillover of the Iran war.

4 hours agovideocam

Diplomacy

Opinion | Look East? South Asia’s fate is far more intertwined with Middle East

Beyond oil, remittances and cultural ties, trade and defence pacts in recent years have added to strategic and security interconnectedness.

5 hours agovideocam

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif hug after signing a defence pact, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on September 17, 2025. Photo: Reuters

US-China relations

Trump-Xi summit will be very amicable, predicts former Biden official

Kurt Campbell expects to see both leaders being ‘extraordinarily polite and engaged’ during key rescheduled meeting despite Iran conflict.

24 Mar 2026 - 5:03AM

US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Busan, South Korea, in October, 2025. Photo: AFP/Getty Images/TNS

US, Israel war on Iran

Trump approved Iran order ‘after Netanyahu argued for joint killing of Khamenei’

Sources describe critical conversations in the 48 hours before the February 28 strike that killed Iran’s supreme leader.

5 hours ago

US, Israel war on Iran

UK rushes air defence systems to Gulf to help counter Iran attacks

The UK is sending air defence missiles and an anti-drone system, as HMS Dragon takes up position to defend Cyprus.

5 hours agovideocam

Italy

Italian voters reject judicial reform in setback for Meloni

Italy’s prime minister concedes defeat in a referendum on her judicial reform plan, which was seen as a test of her leadership.

51 minutes ago

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni casting her ballot. Photo: Francesco Fotia/AGF via ZUMA Press/dpa

US, Israel war on Iran

With hacking of street cameras before and during war, who’s watching who?

For years, cybersecurity experts have warned that street cameras could be hacked. Now, AI advances help governments sift through footage.

2 hours agovideocam

With surveillance cameras embraced by many nations, governments are increasingly aware of the risks of being hacked. Photo: Shutterstock

US, Israel war on Iran

What if US ground forces march into Iran? Chinese experts weigh the risks

Seizing Kharg Island may ‘give the US greater leverage to pressure Iran into making concessions’: South China Sea analyst.

23 Mar 2026 - 11:00PMvideocam

Hong Kong society

Hong Kong raises Iran, Israel travel alerts to black, expands amber warning

Amber travel alert expanded to include Bahrain, Jordan, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

23 Mar 2026 - 10:49PM

US, Israel war on Iran

White eagles and Persian cats: Chinese AI satire of US war on Iran goes viral

China’s state broadcaster shares wuxia-style animation based on the conflict, triggering a wave of user-made spin-offs.

23 Mar 2026 - 9:34PMvideocam

An animated short from CCTV depicts a conflict between the powerful White Eagle and the Persian Cat, meant to represent the US and Iran. Photo: CCTV

US, Israel war on Iran

Not like Venezuela: why Iran is likely to survive US-Israeli strikes

Islamic Republic’s government is expected to prove resilient despite attacks that have targeted many of its top leaders.

23 Mar 2026 - 10:10PM

China exports

What does Iran war mean for China’s export machine?

Crisis sparks debate: will it cripple global demand or show that China’s supply-side resilience, proven during pandemic, remains in place?

23 Mar 2026 - 10:39PM

Middle East

Trump signals de-escalation in Iran, but experts say 5-day halt can’t end war

Donald Trump says US will pause military strikes on power plants following talks, but Iranian officials deny negotiations are taking place.

24 Mar 2026 - 7:25AMvideocam

A plume of smoke rises after a strike in Tehran, Iran on Monday. Photo: AP

Middle East

Drivers in China rush to fill up before biggest petrol price hike this year

Beijing will raise refined oil prices for the fifth time this year at midnight but puts in place a temporary control to reduce the impact.

23 Mar 2026 - 7:33PM

Motorists queue to fill their tanks ahead of a petrol price adjustment expected on Monday, at a petrol station in Suzhou, in China’s eastern Jiangsu province on Sunday. Photo: CN-STR/AFP

US, Israel war on Iran

‘Getting worse each day’: why Southeast Asia is vulnerable to the fuel crisis

From Laos to Thailand, long queues are forming at petrol stations while residents are reeling from surging fuel prices.

23 Mar 2026 - 9:02PMvideocam

Donald Trump

Video | Trump issues ultimatum to Iran to reopen Hormuz

The US president says Iran’s energy infrastructure will be targeted if Tehran doesn’t comply with his ultimatum.

23 Mar 2026 - 6:56PM

US, Israel war on Iran

‘No immunity’: Iran war threatens energy crisis worse than 1970s oil shocks

The boss of the International Energy Agency, Fatih Birol, spoke out as the war grinds into its fourth week.

23 Mar 2026 - 6:59PMvideocam

Smoke and flames rise at the site of air strikes on an oil depot in Tehran on March 7. Photo: via TNS

Japan

Japanese national back home after Iran detention

While the person, detained last year, is now free, another Japanese national - said to be a journalist - has been in custody since January.

23 Mar 2026 - 5:09PMvideocam

A visitor takes photos of Tokyo’s skyline. File photo: AP

US, Israel war on Iran

Trump’s erratic strategy on Iran raises questions about US war preparation

A confusing combination of actions by Trump deepens a sense that there is no clear strategy for the war.

23 Mar 2026 - 5:03PMvideocam

Asia housing and property

The View | War-induced interest rate shocks unlikely to upset Asia’s property markets

While monetary tightening would add to affordability pressures, it would have little bearing on the forces driving up prices and rents.

23 Mar 2026 - 4:30PM

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Iran

Global South to bare the brunt of Strait of Hormuz crisis amid food scarcity

Commerce chief warns of ‘heavy collateral damage’ in developing economies as flow of oil, fertiliser and perishable goods are restricted.

Hong Kong’s eMPF to cut fees from April, saving US$6.4 billion in 10 years

With a host of top figures killed in war, who is now running Iran?

‘I think we have won’: Trump’s ever-shifting positions on the Iran war

From ‘bombing our hearts out’ to ‘very good and productive conversations’, Trump’s own words reveal a dizzying evolution of US war goals.

.css-19im5qg{color:#c79a00;}Letters | How Hong Kong can map a path forward for mandatory reporting of child abuse

Readers discuss ways for the city to better protect children while supporting mandated reporters of abuse, cruelty to animals, and the Epstein scandal.

Hong Kong stocks rebound on hopes of a US-Iran deal as tensions ease

Hang Seng Index climbs as Washington pauses Iran strikes, boosting hopes of a breakthrough deal.

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}Opinion | When it comes to the Persian Gulf, China’s top priority is economics

Beijing’s refusal to pick sides between Iran and other Gulf states affirms its strategic positioning rather than a desire to shift paradigms.

The Iran war could widen China’s EV lead over its global rivals. Here’s why

The ‘eye-watering’ surge in oil prices may push consumers around the world to switch to electric cars, boosting Chinese brands, analysts say.

Israel pounds south Beirut, says captured Hezbollah fighters

Israel expands Lebanon assault as it fights Hezbollah in a spillover of the Iran war.

Opinion | Look East? South Asia’s fate is far more intertwined with Middle East

Beyond oil, remittances and cultural ties, trade and defence pacts in recent years have added to strategic and security interconnectedness.

Trump-Xi summit will be very amicable, predicts former Biden official

Kurt Campbell expects to see both leaders being ‘extraordinarily polite and engaged’ during key rescheduled meeting despite Iran conflict.

Trump approved Iran order ‘after Netanyahu argued for joint killing of Khamenei’

Sources describe critical conversations in the 48 hours before the February 28 strike that killed Iran’s supreme leader.

UK rushes air defence systems to Gulf to help counter Iran attacks

The UK is sending air defence missiles and an anti-drone system, as HMS Dragon takes up position to defend Cyprus.

Italian voters reject judicial reform in setback for Meloni

Italy’s prime minister concedes defeat in a referendum on her judicial reform plan, which was seen as a test of her leadership.

With hacking of street cameras before and during war, who’s watching who?

For years, cybersecurity experts have warned that street cameras could be hacked. Now, AI advances help governments sift through footage.

What if US ground forces march into Iran? Chinese experts weigh the risks

Seizing Kharg Island may ‘give the US greater leverage to pressure Iran into making concessions’: South China Sea analyst.

Hong Kong raises Iran, Israel travel alerts to black, expands amber warning

Amber travel alert expanded to include Bahrain, Jordan, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

White eagles and Persian cats: Chinese AI satire of US war on Iran goes viral

China’s state broadcaster shares wuxia-style animation based on the conflict, triggering a wave of user-made spin-offs.

Not like Venezuela: why Iran is likely to survive US-Israeli strikes

Islamic Republic’s government is expected to prove resilient despite attacks that have targeted many of its top leaders.

What does Iran war mean for China’s export machine?

Crisis sparks debate: will it cripple global demand or show that China’s supply-side resilience, proven during pandemic, remains in place?

Trump signals de-escalation in Iran, but experts say 5-day halt can’t end war

Donald Trump says US will pause military strikes on power plants following talks, but Iranian officials deny negotiations are taking place.

Drivers in China rush to fill up before biggest petrol price hike this year

Beijing will raise refined oil prices for the fifth time this year at midnight but puts in place a temporary control to reduce the impact.

‘Getting worse each day’: why Southeast Asia is vulnerable to the fuel crisis

From Laos to Thailand, long queues are forming at petrol stations while residents are reeling from surging fuel prices.

.css-1t72pn8{color:#C79A00;}Video | Trump issues ultimatum to Iran to reopen Hormuz

The US president says Iran’s energy infrastructure will be targeted if Tehran doesn’t comply with his ultimatum.

‘No immunity’: Iran war threatens energy crisis worse than 1970s oil shocks

The boss of the International Energy Agency, Fatih Birol, spoke out as the war grinds into its fourth week.

Japanese national back home after Iran detention

While the person, detained last year, is now free, another Japanese national - said to be a journalist - has been in custody since January.

Trump’s erratic strategy on Iran raises questions about US war preparation

A confusing combination of actions by Trump deepens a sense that there is no clear strategy for the war.

The View | War-induced interest rate shocks unlikely to upset Asia’s property markets

While monetary tightening would add to affordability pressures, it would have little bearing on the forces driving up prices and rents.

Letters | How Hong Kong can map a path forward for mandatory reporting of child abuse

Opinion | When it comes to the Persian Gulf, China’s top priority is economics

Video | Trump issues ultimatum to Iran to reopen Hormuz