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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

Donald Trump

US currency to bear Trump’s signature in first for a sitting president

It is the latest instance of Trump putting his name and likeness on American cultural institutions.

7 minutes ago

Japan

Japan’s cherry blossom parties could wilt as inflation strains wallets

39 minutes agovideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

Trump says Iran ‘begging’ for deal, but teases new aid for hard-hit US farmers

2 hours agovideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

This country could rise as Mideast war’s big winner. It’s not US, Israel or Iran

The spike in oil prices is an obvious short-term boon for Moscow, but some observers are unsure it will have so much impact in the long run.

7 minutes agovideocam

Maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz has nearly ground to a halt. Photo: Reuters

2026 Trump-Xi summit

Can Trump end his war on Iran in time for rescheduled China trip?

The US president announced this week that he would visit in mid-May after putting the date back to focus on the conflict.

26 Mar 2026 - 11:00PMvideocam

Hong Kong stock market

China’s CNOOC to boost oil and gas output amid Middle East strife

Country’s largest producer aims to increase output by up to 3 per cent from 2025’s record level.

26 Mar 2026 - 8:39PM

The Philippines

Why Filipinos blame Marcos, not Trump, for the Iran war fuel crisis

A Philippine senator wants Filipinos to hold Trump accountable for their surging fuel bills. But public anger has a different target.

26 Mar 2026 - 8:40PMvideocam

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr gives a press conference on the Philippines’ national energy emergency at Malacanang Palace in Manila on Wednesday. Photo: EPA

China economy

Opinion | As oil-shocked world turns to renewables, China will reap the rewards

The biggest losers will be the Middle East and the US, as oil becomes less important and doubts grow about US might.

26 Mar 2026 - 8:30PMvideocam

Malaysia

Iran to allow Malaysian vessels to pass in Strait of Hormuz: Anwar

Malaysia’s PM Anwar Ibrahim said he talked with Iran and other countries as part of efforts to ‌facilitate peace in the Middle East.

26 Mar 2026 - 8:21PMvideocam

Ukraine war

Finland’s president says Ukraine talks may be at ‘end of the road’

He says the war in Iran is ‘drawing a lot of attention away’ from the Ukraine war, and that Ukraine talks are ‘not making further progress’.

26 Mar 2026 - 7:40PMvideocam

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (left) and Finnish President Alexander Stubb in Helsinki, Finland in March 2025. Photo: AFP

Mainland China

Video | Will oil shocks trigger a Chinese EV buying spree?

Oil shock from the Iran war might speed up the global EV shift and boost China’s auto industry, analysts say.

26 Mar 2026 - 6:11PM

Motorists queue to pump gasoline into their vehicle at a gas station in Hanoi on March 10, 2026. Vietnam announced on March 9 it was scrapping tariffs on fuel imports, as the US-Israeli war with Iran disrupts oil supplies and pushes prices to their highest level since 2022. (Photo by Nhac NGUYEN / AFP)

01:30

China's military weapons

What can the Iran war tell China about missile interception?

Journal says China should target boost stage, when ballistic missiles are slower, lack manoeuvrability and emit an intense heat signature.

26 Mar 2026 - 6:21PMvideocam

India

Pakistan steps in as Iran mediator while India watches from the wings

India’s ‘surprising’ silence on Iranian attacks amid uneasy ties with Tehran could affect its strategic relevance in the Gulf, analysts warn.

26 Mar 2026 - 6:59PM

2026 Trump-Xi summit

Trump sets new China visit date as Iran war stokes economic risks

The US president now plans to visit China in mid-May as the war on Iran hits his poll ratings and Chinese manufacturers.

26 Mar 2026 - 5:00PM

China’s President Xi Jinping and US President Donald Trump. Photos: AFP

US, Israel war on Iran

Macroscope | Iran war: Why a Trump climbdown won’t save Asia’s economies

Markets might be convinced Trump will chicken out again, but that won’t reassure Asian nations scrambling to deal with energy shortages.

26 Mar 2026 - 4:30PMvideocam

India

As India and US seek to reset defence ties, Iran war threatens to be wild card

An Iranian vessel’s sinking in the Indian Ocean has triggered anger in India, while New Delhi is worried about the Strait of Hormuz blockade.

26 Mar 2026 - 4:14PMvideocam

China trade

‘Demand shock’: why China cannot escape the impact of a prolonged Iran war

China’s economy is more resilient than most, but a decline in global demand sparked by the war would hurt Chinese exporters, analyst warns.

26 Mar 2026 - 4:00PMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

As Trump pushes for talks, US troop moves signal potential Iran war escalation

Trump is moving airborne troops and extra Marines to the Gulf amid speculation that he might order a ground operation.

26 Mar 2026 - 7:49PM

The Pentagon has dispatched the amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli and thousands of Marines to the region. Photo: Reuters

China food security

China rushes to stabilise fertiliser market as Iran war chokes off imports

China is pushing firms to release their fertiliser reserves in time for the vital spring planting season, as supplies of key inputs tighten.

26 Mar 2026 - 3:00PMvideocam

Boao Forum for Asia

As Iran war rages, China links peace to economic growth at Boao Forum

Beijing will continue promoting free trade, openness and a sound legal system for business, top legislator says.

26 Mar 2026 - 2:39PM

Ukraine war

Iran war deflects attention from Ukraine as Russia starts spring offensive

US redirects air defences and eases oil sanctions on Moscow, leaving Kyiv to face Russian assaults with dwindling resources.

26 Mar 2026 - 2:08PM

Russian soldiers carry ammunition for a self-propelled cannon to fire towards a Ukrainian position. Photo: Russian Defence Ministry via AP

Japan

Enact special law to send warships to Hormuz, ex-adviser tells Japan PM

Former national security adviser Nagashima said a prolonged disruption in the critical shipping lane could work in China’s favour.

26 Mar 2026 - 10:09AMvideocam

Cargo ships and tankers are seen off Fujairah in the Strait of Hormuz in the northern UAE last month. Photo: AFP

US, Israel war on Iran

Opinion | Life in Iran illustrates shifting realities amid US-Israel war

Instead of panicking, Iranians are asking different questions and making new strategic considerations.

26 Mar 2026 - 9:30AMvideocam

Hong Kong economy

Customers could pay heftier bills, HK Electric warns, weighs surcharge rise

Fellow utility firm CLP Power earlier increased fuel cost adjustment charge due to discrepancy between actual fuel prices and forecasts.

26 Mar 2026 - 9:02PM

Yuan

How the Iran war could pave the way for the rise of China’s ‘petroyuan’

Disruptions from the war could accelerate a shift in the oil trade, threatening the US dollar’s long-held dominance, analysts say.

26 Mar 2026 - 10:14AMvideocam

China launched yuan-denominated oil futures contracts in 2018, though US dollar-based contracts continue to dominate. Photo: Shutterstock

US-China relations

Chinese nationals, firms charged in US with smuggling AI chips, drug trafficking

Two different cases refer to smuggling of American-made advanced AI chips to China through Thailand and an alleged fentanyl supply chain.

6 hours agovideocam

A Chinese national in the US has been charged with allegedly smuggling American-made advanced AI chips to China through Thailand. Photo: AFP

Donald Trump

Trump to skip CPAC for first time in decade amid war with Iran

White House cites a busy schedule as the US president swaps conservative gathering for another event in Miami.

26 Mar 2026 - 10:24AM

US-China relations

Why China’s Iran war strategy is working – and may even be an opportunity

Beijing happy to watch, wait and safeguard core interests – oil flows, Taiwan and trade – as its geopolitical rival spends resources on war.

26 Mar 2026 - 8:09AMvideocam

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Iran

US currency to bear Trump’s signature in first for a sitting president

It is the latest instance of Trump putting his name and likeness on American cultural institutions.

Japan’s cherry blossom parties could wilt as inflation strains wallets

Trump says Iran ‘begging’ for deal, but teases new aid for hard-hit US farmers

This country could rise as Mideast war’s big winner. It’s not US, Israel or Iran

The spike in oil prices is an obvious short-term boon for Moscow, but some observers are unsure it will have so much impact in the long run.

Can Trump end his war on Iran in time for rescheduled China trip?

The US president announced this week that he would visit in mid-May after putting the date back to focus on the conflict.

China’s CNOOC to boost oil and gas output amid Middle East strife

Country’s largest producer aims to increase output by up to 3 per cent from 2025’s record level.

Why Filipinos blame Marcos, not Trump, for the Iran war fuel crisis

A Philippine senator wants Filipinos to hold Trump accountable for their surging fuel bills. But public anger has a different target.

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}Opinion | As oil-shocked world turns to renewables, China will reap the rewards

The biggest losers will be the Middle East and the US, as oil becomes less important and doubts grow about US might.

Iran to allow Malaysian vessels to pass in Strait of Hormuz: Anwar

Malaysia’s PM Anwar Ibrahim said he talked with Iran and other countries as part of efforts to ‌facilitate peace in the Middle East.

Finland’s president says Ukraine talks may be at ‘end of the road’

He says the war in Iran is ‘drawing a lot of attention away’ from the Ukraine war, and that Ukraine talks are ‘not making further progress’.

.css-1t72pn8{color:#C79A00;}Video | Will oil shocks trigger a Chinese EV buying spree?

Oil shock from the Iran war might speed up the global EV shift and boost China’s auto industry, analysts say.

What can the Iran war tell China about missile interception?

Journal says China should target boost stage, when ballistic missiles are slower, lack manoeuvrability and emit an intense heat signature.

Pakistan steps in as Iran mediator while India watches from the wings

India’s ‘surprising’ silence on Iranian attacks amid uneasy ties with Tehran could affect its strategic relevance in the Gulf, analysts warn.

Trump sets new China visit date as Iran war stokes economic risks

The US president now plans to visit China in mid-May as the war on Iran hits his poll ratings and Chinese manufacturers.

Macroscope | Iran war: Why a Trump climbdown won’t save Asia’s economies

Markets might be convinced Trump will chicken out again, but that won’t reassure Asian nations scrambling to deal with energy shortages.

As India and US seek to reset defence ties, Iran war threatens to be wild card

An Iranian vessel’s sinking in the Indian Ocean has triggered anger in India, while New Delhi is worried about the Strait of Hormuz blockade.

‘Demand shock’: why China cannot escape the impact of a prolonged Iran war

China’s economy is more resilient than most, but a decline in global demand sparked by the war would hurt Chinese exporters, analyst warns.

As Trump pushes for talks, US troop moves signal potential Iran war escalation

Trump is moving airborne troops and extra Marines to the Gulf amid speculation that he might order a ground operation.

China rushes to stabilise fertiliser market as Iran war chokes off imports

China is pushing firms to release their fertiliser reserves in time for the vital spring planting season, as supplies of key inputs tighten.

As Iran war rages, China links peace to economic growth at Boao Forum

Beijing will continue promoting free trade, openness and a sound legal system for business, top legislator says.

Iran war deflects attention from Ukraine as Russia starts spring offensive

US redirects air defences and eases oil sanctions on Moscow, leaving Kyiv to face Russian assaults with dwindling resources.

Enact special law to send warships to Hormuz, ex-adviser tells Japan PM

Former national security adviser Nagashima said a prolonged disruption in the critical shipping lane could work in China’s favour.

Opinion | Life in Iran illustrates shifting realities amid US-Israel war

Instead of panicking, Iranians are asking different questions and making new strategic considerations.

Customers could pay heftier bills, HK Electric warns, weighs surcharge rise

Fellow utility firm CLP Power earlier increased fuel cost adjustment charge due to discrepancy between actual fuel prices and forecasts.

How the Iran war could pave the way for the rise of China’s ‘petroyuan’

Disruptions from the war could accelerate a shift in the oil trade, threatening the US dollar’s long-held dominance, analysts say.

Chinese nationals, firms charged in US with smuggling AI chips, drug trafficking

Two different cases refer to smuggling of American-made advanced AI chips to China through Thailand and an alleged fentanyl supply chain.

Trump to skip CPAC for first time in decade amid war with Iran

White House cites a busy schedule as the US president swaps conservative gathering for another event in Miami.

Why China’s Iran war strategy is working – and may even be an opportunity

Beijing happy to watch, wait and safeguard core interests – oil flows, Taiwan and trade – as its geopolitical rival spends resources on war.

Opinion | As oil-shocked world turns to renewables, China will reap the rewards

Video | Will oil shocks trigger a Chinese EV buying spree?