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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

Analysts say the closure and blockade of the Strait of Hormuz have become “a test of endurance” between China and the US. Photo: AFP

2026 Xi-Trump summit

Xi-Trump summit: why the Iran war could become fresh point of friction

Both China and the US stand to gain from reopening the Strait of Hormuz, but they view the crisis through different lenses.

54 minutes agovideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

Opinion | Trump’s threats against Iran are historically illiterate

2 hours ago

US-China relations

US sanctions 9 mainland China and Hong Kong entities over ‘Iran military links’

3 hours ago

China trade

China defies Strait of Hormuz crisis with record monthly export value in April

Export value rose 14.1 per cent year on year, well above market forecasts.

1 hour agovideocam

A worker loads sulphur at a storage yard on a wharf in China’s Jiangsu province in April. Photo: AFP

US-China relations

Editorial | The US shouldn’t try to bully China ahead of a summit

To borrow his language, US President Donald Trump doesn’t have all the cards. Playing a hand he does not have won’t bode well for ties.

9 May 2026 - 7:15AM

2026 Xi-Trump summit

Trump trade chief says US wants balanced trade, not change to China’s system

US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer wants key meeting in Beijing to help ‘achieve more balance’ economically between the two countries.

9 May 2026 - 3:13AMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

New Israel-Lebanon talks to try to curb Hezbollah influence in region: Rubio

Marco Rubio says Washington is also awaiting Iran’s response to a new US proposal to end the conflict in the region.

9 May 2026 - 4:56AM

First responders arrive at the site of an Israeli airstrike that targeted the southern Lebanese village of Habbouch on Thursday. Photo: AFP

China energy security

China’s shipping firms brace for a new ‘era of chaos’ as Iran war drags on

Chinese shipping giants are signing long contracts and rejigging their networks, as they hedge against prolonged disruptions to global trade routes.

8 May 2026 - 9:30PMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

Why Iran’s ambassador to China thinks the US can’t turn Beijing against it

Top envoy’s remarks come amid speculation Washington may induce Beijing to pressure Tehran into accepting a peace deal.

8 May 2026 - 9:39PMvideocam

China-Russia relations

China-Russia ties can withstand any US containment efforts: Chinese policy adviser

Beijing-Moscow relationship described as having ‘inherent stability’, with a ‘stable mechanism’ able to withstand outside pressures.

8 May 2026 - 8:00PMvideocam

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping speak during the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Tianjin, China, in September 2025. Photo: Reuters

Asean

Asean’s pivot to energy security leaves long-standing issues on summit sidelines

Southeast Asia is one of the worst affected by the global fuel crisis due to its high imports of oil and gas coming from the Gulf.

8 May 2026 - 1:17PMvideocam

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr delivers an opening speech at the Asean summit in Cebu on Friday. Photo: Reuters

Gold in Hong Kong

Editorial | Middle East war offers Hong Kong a golden opportunity

The war has driven home how well suited Hong Kong is to becoming an alternative to Dubai, a major gold trading hub.

8 May 2026 - 7:15AM

China-Latin America relations

Lula won’t sideline China on rare earths, tells Trump refining stays in Brazil

In a three-hour White House meeting on Thursday, Brazil’s president pitched his country’s minerals to all comers.

8 May 2026 - 7:05AMvideocam

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

The Iranian navy firing a missile, at an unknown location, in an image released on May 8. Photo: West Asia News Agency via Reuters

US-China relations

China’s study of Ukraine, Iran wars could sharpen Taiwan propaganda tactics

Beijing’s study of Iran, Ukraine wars could help hone its ability to wage information warfare against the US during a Taiwan Strait crisis.

8 May 2026 - 5:06AMvideocam

US experts say that China could potentially weaponise social media during a Taiwan Strait conflict and spread disinformation. Photo: Shutterstock

Science

Will Iran war threaten next harvest? Which countries are most at risk?

As the Hormuz blockade cuts off vital agricultural inputs, Food and Agriculture Organization official views China as key food security partner.

7 May 2026 - 9:00PMvideocam

Italy

Rubio meets Pope Leo at Vatican to defuse tensions with Trump

The meeting comes amid the US president’s repeated attacks on the pontiff over the Iran war and nuclear weapons.

7 May 2026 - 10:04PMvideocam

China debt

China, US drive global debt to record $353 trillion – what’s behind the surge?

New report warns that rising conflicts, AI spending and energy security push are all expected to further increase global debt levels.

7 May 2026 - 8:12PM

Global debt hit a record high of nearly US$353 trillion in the first quarter of 2026, according to the Institute of International Finance (IIF), with China and the United States largely driving the trend. Photo: EPA-EFE

Stocks

As US stocks hit record highs, will investors keep buying or stay diversified?

US equities rally amid easing Middle East tensions, but global investors remain cautious, focusing on diversification and China’s prospects.

7 May 2026 - 8:00PM

India

India’s military turns to green energy options as Iran war prompts new strategy

The Indian army is looking to green sources for its cooking, vehicles and installations due to surging oil prices.

7 May 2026 - 7:53PM

China travel

Fuel shocks, thin margins: why China’s airlines should ‘heed Spirit’s mistakes’

Demise of US budget carrier seen as a warning sign of how turbulent it could get for China’s airlines with fragile bottom lines.

7 May 2026 - 6:00PM

Spirit Airlines jets sit on a tarmac in the US state of Florida on Sunday after the company ceased operations. Photo: EPA

US, Israel war on Iran

US-Iran peace optimism fuels Asian stock market gains

Asian markets surge on hopes for an end to US-Iran conflict and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, even with many risks still hanging over markets.

7 May 2026 - 5:00PM

A pro-government billboard in Tehran, Iran, depicts the closed Strait of Hormuz. Photo: AP

Banking & finance

Macroscope | Australia’s interest rate rise signals growing hawkish stance in Asia

Reserve Bank of Australia is less an outlier than a harbinger of global monetary trends in the wake of war-induced supply shocks.

7 May 2026 - 4:30PM

South Korea

South Korea rejects Trump’s claim that ship ‘decided to go it alone’

Iran says it ‘firmly rejects and categorically denies’ allegations that it was responsible for the explosion on board the HMM Namu.

7 May 2026 - 3:18PMvideocam

Malaysia

Well-oiled diplomacy: Malaysian king visits Moscow as Anwar eyes Russian energy

Though Sultan Ibrahim’s visit is officially ceremonial, its timing coincides with the energy squeeze plaguing Malaysia and much of Asia.

7 May 2026 - 4:36PMvideocam

Malaysia’s King Sultan Ibrahim meets Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin on August 6, 2025. Photo: Reuters

War and conflict

Letters | History shows the high cost and low yield of war as conflict resolution

Readers discuss the imperative of dialogue to end the Iran war, the growth and diversity of Chinese products and Hong Kong’s efforts to deter smoking.

7 May 2026 - 11:30AM

An Iranian walks next to an anti-US mural in a street in Tehran, Iran, on May 4. Photo: EPA

Hong Kong stock market

Hong Kong stocks hit 2-month high on hopes of Middle East war ending

Media reports of a proposed memorandum of understanding boost hopes of a diplomatic resolution to the US-Israel war on Iran.

7 May 2026 - 5:00PMvideocam

Japan

Trump’s last diehard Japanese fans lose faith as Iran war chaos spreads

Concerns in Japan are also mounting over the security ties between Japan and the US as Trump seeks to withdraw more troops from Europe.

8 May 2026 - 10:20AMvideocam

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Iran

Xi-Trump summit: why the Iran war could become fresh point of friction

Both China and the US stand to gain from reopening the Strait of Hormuz, but they view the crisis through different lenses.

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}Opinion | Trump’s threats against Iran are historically illiterate

US sanctions 9 mainland China and Hong Kong entities over ‘Iran military links’

China defies Strait of Hormuz crisis with record monthly export value in April

Export value rose 14.1 per cent year on year, well above market forecasts.

Editorial | The US shouldn’t try to bully China ahead of a summit

To borrow his language, US President Donald Trump doesn’t have all the cards. Playing a hand he does not have won’t bode well for ties.

Trump trade chief says US wants balanced trade, not change to China’s system

US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer wants key meeting in Beijing to help ‘achieve more balance’ economically between the two countries.

New Israel-Lebanon talks to try to curb Hezbollah influence in region: Rubio

Marco Rubio says Washington is also awaiting Iran’s response to a new US proposal to end the conflict in the region.

China’s shipping firms brace for a new ‘era of chaos’ as Iran war drags on

Chinese shipping giants are signing long contracts and rejigging their networks, as they hedge against prolonged disruptions to global trade routes.

Why Iran’s ambassador to China thinks the US can’t turn Beijing against it

Top envoy’s remarks come amid speculation Washington may induce Beijing to pressure Tehran into accepting a peace deal.

China-Russia ties can withstand any US containment efforts: Chinese policy adviser

Beijing-Moscow relationship described as having ‘inherent stability’, with a ‘stable mechanism’ able to withstand outside pressures.

Asean’s pivot to energy security leaves long-standing issues on summit sidelines

Southeast Asia is one of the worst affected by the global fuel crisis due to its high imports of oil and gas coming from the Gulf.

Editorial | Middle East war offers Hong Kong a golden opportunity

The war has driven home how well suited Hong Kong is to becoming an alternative to Dubai, a major gold trading hub.

Lula won’t sideline China on rare earths, tells Trump refining stays in Brazil

In a three-hour White House meeting on Thursday, Brazil’s president pitched his country’s minerals to all comers.

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.

China’s study of Ukraine, Iran wars could sharpen Taiwan propaganda tactics

Beijing’s study of Iran, Ukraine wars could help hone its ability to wage information warfare against the US during a Taiwan Strait crisis.

Will Iran war threaten next harvest? Which countries are most at risk?

As the Hormuz blockade cuts off vital agricultural inputs, Food and Agriculture Organization official views China as key food security partner.

Rubio meets Pope Leo at Vatican to defuse tensions with Trump

The meeting comes amid the US president’s repeated attacks on the pontiff over the Iran war and nuclear weapons.

China, US drive global debt to record $353 trillion – what’s behind the surge?

New report warns that rising conflicts, AI spending and energy security push are all expected to further increase global debt levels.

As US stocks hit record highs, will investors keep buying or stay diversified?

US equities rally amid easing Middle East tensions, but global investors remain cautious, focusing on diversification and China’s prospects.

India’s military turns to green energy options as Iran war prompts new strategy

The Indian army is looking to green sources for its cooking, vehicles and installations due to surging oil prices.

Fuel shocks, thin margins: why China’s airlines should ‘heed Spirit’s mistakes’

Demise of US budget carrier seen as a warning sign of how turbulent it could get for China’s airlines with fragile bottom lines.

US-Iran peace optimism fuels Asian stock market gains

Asian markets surge on hopes for an end to US-Iran conflict and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, even with many risks still hanging over markets.

Macroscope | Australia’s interest rate rise signals growing hawkish stance in Asia

Reserve Bank of Australia is less an outlier than a harbinger of global monetary trends in the wake of war-induced supply shocks.

South Korea rejects Trump’s claim that ship ‘decided to go it alone’

Iran says it ‘firmly rejects and categorically denies’ allegations that it was responsible for the explosion on board the HMM Namu.

Well-oiled diplomacy: Malaysian king visits Moscow as Anwar eyes Russian energy

Though Sultan Ibrahim’s visit is officially ceremonial, its timing coincides with the energy squeeze plaguing Malaysia and much of Asia.

.css-19im5qg{color:#c79a00;}Letters | History shows the high cost and low yield of war as conflict resolution

Readers discuss the imperative of dialogue to end the Iran war, the growth and diversity of Chinese products and Hong Kong’s efforts to deter smoking.

Hong Kong stocks hit 2-month high on hopes of Middle East war ending

Media reports of a proposed memorandum of understanding boost hopes of a diplomatic resolution to the US-Israel war on Iran.

Trump’s last diehard Japanese fans lose faith as Iran war chaos spreads

Concerns in Japan are also mounting over the security ties between Japan and the US as Trump seeks to withdraw more troops from Europe.

Opinion | Trump’s threats against Iran are historically illiterate

Letters | History shows the high cost and low yield of war as conflict resolution