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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

Oil tankers and cargo ships in the Strait of Hormuz, as seen from Khor Fakkan, United Arab Emirates. Photo: AP

US, Israel war on Iran

Crude oil drops as US inches towards Iran deal to reopen Strait of Hormuz

The strait – which links the region to world markets – has been subject to a double blockade, with curbs imposed by both Iran and the US.

2 hours agovideocam

Open Questions series

Exclusive | Stable US-China ties? It won’t last long, Evan Medeiros says

2 hours agovideocam

China trade

Chinese traders in Iran keep business afloat as war capsizes naval shipping

24 May 2026 - 2:00PMvideocam

India

Rubio renews US ties with India after Trump’s China visit

The US secretary of state called India a natural partner and invited PM Modi to the White House.

24 May 2026 - 12:51AMvideocam

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio attends an event at the US embassy in New Delhi, India, on Saturday. Photo: Reuters

United States

‘Time on our side’: Trump says Iran blockade remains until deal is signed

We ‌must take our time ‘and get ‌it right’, said the US president. Iran said managing the Strait of ⁠Hormuz was Tehran’s ‘legal ‌right’.

24 May 2026 - 11:57PMvideocam

Pakistan

Pakistani prime minister visits China amid ongoing Middle East peace drive

The two countries are also predicted to mark a significant diplomatic anniversary by further deepening their long-standing relationship.

24 May 2026 - 5:24PMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

Israel thrusts a reluctant UAE into the open over defence ties

Disclosures about Iron Dome batteries and secret meetings have exposed ties analysts say the UAE would rather handle ‘more discreetly’.

23 May 2026 - 1:00PMvideocam

Israel’s Iron Dome anti-missile system intercepts rockets in October 2023 during the opening days of the Gaza war. Photo: Reuters

US-China relations

Letters | The Xi-Trump summit stabilised ties, but the rivalry persists

Readers discuss who holds the strongest cards in China-US ties, why Hong Kong should abandon the US dollar peg, and the merits of Indonesia’s social programmes.

23 May 2026 - 11:30AM

United States

UN event on nuclear non-proliferation treaty stumbles, US and Iran clash

There was no consensus among the 191 parties to the NPT, the third failure in a row at a conference reviewing the treaty.

23 May 2026 - 10:09AM

International Monetary Fund (IMF)

27 countries seek access to World Bank funds since Iran war

An analyst says nations prefer the World Bank over the International Monetary Fund for help, due to the IMF’s austerity measures.

23 May 2026 - 4:22PM

A man sits among buildings destroyed in Tehran in a joint attack by Israel and the United States on April 6. Photo: Getty Images

War and conflict

As I see it | How China wins by avoiding war

Trump, Putin and Netanyahu have all gone to war to prove how strong and powerful they are. The results should give any strongman pause.

23 May 2026 - 9:30AMvideocam

Fu Cong, China’s Permanent Representative to the UN, addresses the Security Council during a meeting on the Middle East, at the UN headquarters in New York City, on February 18. Photo: Reuters

Donald Trump

Trump won’t attend eldest son’s wedding: ‘I have a thing called Iran’

‘I have a thing called Iran,’ the US president had earlier said on why the timing of the event was bad for him.

23 May 2026 - 5:02AM

United States

Warsh takes US Fed’s helm with inflation dilemma already unfolding

Trump’s pick to lead the central bank must contend with an economy roiled by the AI boom, as well as oil price and tariff shocks.

23 May 2026 - 4:17AM

US-China relations

Opinion | Xi-Trump summit a triumph for China

The future of the relationship is likely to be unscripted and messy at times, even full of friction, yet somehow maintaining a rhythm.

22 May 2026 - 9:14PMvideocam

China food security

How China and Kazakhstan plan to boost food security through trade

The agreement highlights Beijing’s push to rewire agricultural supply chains, as it seeks to reduce vulnerability in global markets.

22 May 2026 - 6:00PM

Kazakh Agriculture Vice-Minister Yermek Kenzhekhanuly and Liu Huanxin, head of China’s National Food and Strategic Reserves Administration, agree to launch a joint grain-trading platform to bolster food security. Photo: gov.kz

Banking & finance

AIIB launches US$10 billion facility to help nations hit by Iran war fallout

The new facility will help nations deal with urgent energy, food and economic resilience needs, according to the bank.

22 May 2026 - 7:07PMvideocam

Donald Trump

Trump pledges more troops for Poland as Rubio cautions allies

Trump announcement is an apparent reversal of his moves to reduce the presence of US forces in Europe.

22 May 2026 - 8:44PM

Science

China swaps Middle East oil for Xinjiang coal. What does it mean for the world?

With the war in Iran choking global oil supplies, China is tapping its 390 billion tonnes of coal reserves to build its own energy source.

22 May 2026 - 6:57AMvideocam

War and conflict

Opinion | Not even a quick end to Iran war can save AI stock bubble now

Rising prices are draining the liquidity from financial markets, including bonds. The AI stock bubble is ripe for bursting.

22 May 2026 - 5:30AM

US, Israel war on Iran

US voices hope for Iran deal as Pakistan mediator seeks breakthrough

With Trump warning of renewed strikes, Pakistan’s army chief is expected in Tehran for ‘talks and consultations’.

22 May 2026 - 2:54PMvideocam

China energy security

As Chinese supertankers cross Strait of Hormuz, is the crisis starting to ease?

Two Chinese tankers were among group of vessels transiting vital waterway on Wednesday, but was it a one-off or the start of a new trend?

21 May 2026 - 10:38PMvideocam

Ships and swimmers are seen in the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday. The strategic waterway has been largely closed to traffic since the Iran war began. Photo: WANA via Reuters

United States

US jobless claims fall as lay-offs remain low despite economic uncertainty

Despite historically low lay-offs, the labour market appears to be stuck in what economists call a ‘low-hire, low-fire’ state.

21 May 2026 - 9:03PM

Workers climb down from a building during a heat advisory on Tuesday in New York. Photo: AP

China trade

Asia-Pacific trade risks loom large as Apec official warns of protectionism

China is urged to evolve as a world buyer, ahead of ministers’ gathering in Suzhou where a raft of far-reaching trade issues will be discussed.

21 May 2026 - 8:30PMvideocam

Diplomacy

Opinion | What Putin, Trump summits say about China’s role in world affairs

Beijing’s desire for systemic stability guides its relations with Moscow and Washington, making it central to global mediation.

21 May 2026 - 9:44PMvideocam

China-Middle East relations

China breaks ground on Gulf aviation megaproject in shadow of Iran war

A state-owned firm has launched work on a massive aviation complex, signalling continued confidence amid regional conflict.

21 May 2026 - 7:00PM

China Railway Construction Corporation chairman Dai Hegen (third from right) and Emirates Airline and Group chairman and chief executive Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed al-Maktoum (fourth from right) attend the groundbreaking ceremony for a major aviation complex in Dubai, United Arab Emirates on Monday. Photo: Xinhua

2026 Xi-Trump summit

Xi’s back-to-back meetings with Trump and Putin: everything you need to know

China’s leader hosted Trump and Putin on separate occasions over the past week, here’s everything you need to know.

21 May 2026 - 4:00PM

Chinese President Xi Jinping (right) and US President Donald Trump are expected to meet again this year. Photo: AP

South Korea

What Lee’s Netanyahu ‘war criminal’ remark means for South Korea’s diplomacy

The president criticised Israel for ‘going too far’ in detaining two South Koreans who were at sea trying to send aid to Gaza.

21 May 2026 - 5:18PM

Yuan

China’s yuan hits 3-year high as global banks issue bullish forecasts

Beijing has set the yuan at its strongest level against the US dollar since early 2023, with banks projecting further appreciation.

21 May 2026 - 5:38PM

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Iran

Crude oil drops as US inches towards Iran deal to reopen Strait of Hormuz

The strait – which links the region to world markets – has been subject to a double blockade, with curbs imposed by both Iran and the US.

.css-19im5qg{color:#c79a00;}Exclusive | Stable US-China ties? It won’t last long, Evan Medeiros says

Chinese traders in Iran keep business afloat as war capsizes naval shipping

Rubio renews US ties with India after Trump’s China visit

The US secretary of state called India a natural partner and invited PM Modi to the White House.

‘Time on our side’: Trump says Iran blockade remains until deal is signed

We ‌must take our time ‘and get ‌it right’, said the US president. Iran said managing the Strait of ⁠Hormuz was Tehran’s ‘legal ‌right’.

Pakistani prime minister visits China amid ongoing Middle East peace drive

The two countries are also predicted to mark a significant diplomatic anniversary by further deepening their long-standing relationship.

Israel thrusts a reluctant UAE into the open over defence ties

Disclosures about Iron Dome batteries and secret meetings have exposed ties analysts say the UAE would rather handle ‘more discreetly’.

Letters | The Xi-Trump summit stabilised ties, but the rivalry persists

Readers discuss who holds the strongest cards in China-US ties, why Hong Kong should abandon the US dollar peg, and the merits of Indonesia’s social programmes.

UN event on nuclear non-proliferation treaty stumbles, US and Iran clash

There was no consensus among the 191 parties to the NPT, the third failure in a row at a conference reviewing the treaty.

27 countries seek access to World Bank funds since Iran war

An analyst says nations prefer the World Bank over the International Monetary Fund for help, due to the IMF’s austerity measures.

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}As I see it | How China wins by avoiding war

Trump, Putin and Netanyahu have all gone to war to prove how strong and powerful they are. The results should give any strongman pause.

Trump won’t attend eldest son’s wedding: ‘I have a thing called Iran’

‘I have a thing called Iran,’ the US president had earlier said on why the timing of the event was bad for him.

Warsh takes US Fed’s helm with inflation dilemma already unfolding

Trump’s pick to lead the central bank must contend with an economy roiled by the AI boom, as well as oil price and tariff shocks.

Opinion | Xi-Trump summit a triumph for China

The future of the relationship is likely to be unscripted and messy at times, even full of friction, yet somehow maintaining a rhythm.

How China and Kazakhstan plan to boost food security through trade

The agreement highlights Beijing’s push to rewire agricultural supply chains, as it seeks to reduce vulnerability in global markets.

AIIB launches US$10 billion facility to help nations hit by Iran war fallout

The new facility will help nations deal with urgent energy, food and economic resilience needs, according to the bank.

Trump pledges more troops for Poland as Rubio cautions allies

Trump announcement is an apparent reversal of his moves to reduce the presence of US forces in Europe.

China swaps Middle East oil for Xinjiang coal. What does it mean for the world?

With the war in Iran choking global oil supplies, China is tapping its 390 billion tonnes of coal reserves to build its own energy source.

Opinion | Not even a quick end to Iran war can save AI stock bubble now

Rising prices are draining the liquidity from financial markets, including bonds. The AI stock bubble is ripe for bursting.

US voices hope for Iran deal as Pakistan mediator seeks breakthrough

With Trump warning of renewed strikes, Pakistan’s army chief is expected in Tehran for ‘talks and consultations’.

As Chinese supertankers cross Strait of Hormuz, is the crisis starting to ease?

Two Chinese tankers were among group of vessels transiting vital waterway on Wednesday, but was it a one-off or the start of a new trend?

US jobless claims fall as lay-offs remain low despite economic uncertainty

Despite historically low lay-offs, the labour market appears to be stuck in what economists call a ‘low-hire, low-fire’ state.

Asia-Pacific trade risks loom large as Apec official warns of protectionism

China is urged to evolve as a world buyer, ahead of ministers’ gathering in Suzhou where a raft of far-reaching trade issues will be discussed.

Opinion | What Putin, Trump summits say about China’s role in world affairs

Beijing’s desire for systemic stability guides its relations with Moscow and Washington, making it central to global mediation.

China breaks ground on Gulf aviation megaproject in shadow of Iran war

A state-owned firm has launched work on a massive aviation complex, signalling continued confidence amid regional conflict.

Xi’s back-to-back meetings with Trump and Putin: everything you need to know

China’s leader hosted Trump and Putin on separate occasions over the past week, here’s everything you need to know.

What Lee’s Netanyahu ‘war criminal’ remark means for South Korea’s diplomacy

The president criticised Israel for ‘going too far’ in detaining two South Koreans who were at sea trying to send aid to Gaza.

China’s yuan hits 3-year high as global banks issue bullish forecasts

Beijing has set the yuan at its strongest level against the US dollar since early 2023, with banks projecting further appreciation.

Exclusive | Stable US-China ties? It won’t last long, Evan Medeiros says

As I see it | How China wins by avoiding war