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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

Plumes of smoke billow from southern Lebanon following Israeli strikes, as seen from Nabatieh, Lebanon on Monday. Photo: Reuters

Middle East

Israel steps up Lebanon strikes as Netanyahu escalates offensive

‘We will intensify our blows, increase our firepower, and we will crush them,’ the Israeli prime minister said on Monday.

51 minutes agovideocam

Science

‘New form of war’: an insider view of China’s AI strategy in electronic warfare

2 hours agovideocam

Fifa World Cup 2026

Mexico’s president sees ‘no issue’ with her country hosting Iran World Cup team

2 hours ago

US, Israel war on Iran

Iran’s president orders reopening of international internet access: state media

Most Iranians have ‌been unable to access the World Wide Web for 87 days, with few ⁠having access ⁠to VPNs that circumvent restrictions.

5 hours ago

Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian in Tehran on Saturday. Photo: Iranian Presidency / AFP

Donald Trump

Trump says Iran deal should include additional countries joining Abraham Accords

The US president pointed to Gulf countries including Saudi Arabia and Turkey to join the agreements aimed at normalising ties with Israel.

56 minutes agovideocam

China energy security

How China could benefit as US-Iran talks raise hopes of oil sanctions relief

Beijing’s support is seen as critical to peace negotiations – and analysts believe this could push Washington to relax sanctions on Chinese oil buyers.

25 May 2026 - 9:00PMvideocam

Middle East

Israeli far-right ministers want ‘return to war in Lebanon’ despite peace talks

National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich advocated for strikes on Beirut and cutting off electricity to Lebanon.

25 May 2026 - 8:21PMvideocam

Israeli far-right minister Itamar Ben Gvir delivers a speech during a gathering by right-wing activists near the border with Gaza on October 21, 2024, calling to establish a new Jewish settlement in the Gaza Strip. Photo: AFP

US, Israel war on Iran

China lauds Pakistan’s ‘proactive role’ in US-Iran peace talks and vows support

Shehbaz Sharif tells his hosts in Beijing that efforts to mediate between Tehran and Washington ‘moving in the right direction’.

25 May 2026 - 10:46PMvideocam

European Union

Pope calls for ‘disarming’ of AI, technology should be ‘human friendly’

Pope Leo called for the ‘disarming’ of artificial intelligence, and warned of ‘new forms of slavery’ behind its rise.

25 May 2026 - 6:31PMvideocam

Pakistan

UAE deports Pakistani Shiites: jobs lost and savings frozen amid Iran war

Over one hundred deported Pakistanis said they were unable to retrieve their luggage or savings before being placed ‌on deportation flights.

25 May 2026 - 4:39PM

A Pakistani Shi’ite Muslim man, who was working as a building security officer in the UAE, speaks with reporters in his village after being deported along with many others following the US-Israeli war against Iran, in Chakwal, Pakistan on May 5. Photo: Reuters

Middle East

Muslims begin haj in sweltering heat and shadow of Middle East tensions

Over 1.5 million faithful gather as annual sacred rites in Mecca officially get under way.

25 May 2026 - 1:56PM

Pilgrims pray around the cube-shaped Kaaba in the Grand Mosque. Photo: AP

US, Israel war on Iran

Netanyahu increasingly isolated as Trump pursues Iran peace deal

The lack of a decisive victory in the Iran war has led Trump to lose confidence in the Israeli prime minister, analysts say.

25 May 2026 - 6:48PMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

Oil falls as US touts progress on Iran deal, reopening Hormuz

Brent prices slide over 5 per cent, even as Trump insists he will not rush into a final accord.

25 May 2026 - 3:58PMvideocam

Mainland China

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

After Trump’s China trip, political scientist gives his assessment on Taiwan, trade leverage, the Iran war and Beijing’s tensions with Tokyo.

25 May 2026 - 9:44AMvideocam

China trade

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

Extended disruption caused by conflict has prompted Chinese merchants to turn to railway and land transport routes to trade goods.

24 May 2026 - 2:00PMvideocam

A China-Europe freight train prepares to depart from the China Kazakhstan (Lianyungang) logistics cooperation base in Jiangsu province. Photo: Costfoto/NurPhoto via Getty Images

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

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

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif is hoping to strengthen the country’s economic ties with China. Photo: AFP

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

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

A plenary session of the review conference for the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty held on Friday at the UN headquarters in New York. Photo: Kyodo

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

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 President Donald Trump shakes hands with new Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh (left) at the White House on Friday. Photo: AFP

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

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

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Iran

Israel steps up Lebanon strikes as Netanyahu escalates offensive

‘We will intensify our blows, increase our firepower, and we will crush them,’ the Israeli prime minister said on Monday.

‘New form of war’: an insider view of China’s AI strategy in electronic warfare

Mexico’s president sees ‘no issue’ with her country hosting Iran World Cup team

Iran’s president orders reopening of international internet access: state media

Most Iranians have ‌been unable to access the World Wide Web for 87 days, with few ⁠having access ⁠to VPNs that circumvent restrictions.

Trump says Iran deal should include additional countries joining Abraham Accords

The US president pointed to Gulf countries including Saudi Arabia and Turkey to join the agreements aimed at normalising ties with Israel.

How China could benefit as US-Iran talks raise hopes of oil sanctions relief

Beijing’s support is seen as critical to peace negotiations – and analysts believe this could push Washington to relax sanctions on Chinese oil buyers.

Israeli far-right ministers want ‘return to war in Lebanon’ despite peace talks

National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich advocated for strikes on Beirut and cutting off electricity to Lebanon.

China lauds Pakistan’s ‘proactive role’ in US-Iran peace talks and vows support

Shehbaz Sharif tells his hosts in Beijing that efforts to mediate between Tehran and Washington ‘moving in the right direction’.

Pope calls for ‘disarming’ of AI, technology should be ‘human friendly’

Pope Leo called for the ‘disarming’ of artificial intelligence, and warned of ‘new forms of slavery’ behind its rise.

UAE deports Pakistani Shiites: jobs lost and savings frozen amid Iran war

Over one hundred deported Pakistanis said they were unable to retrieve their luggage or savings before being placed ‌on deportation flights.

Muslims begin haj in sweltering heat and shadow of Middle East tensions

Over 1.5 million faithful gather as annual sacred rites in Mecca officially get under way.

Netanyahu increasingly isolated as Trump pursues Iran peace deal

The lack of a decisive victory in the Iran war has led Trump to lose confidence in the Israeli prime minister, analysts say.

Oil falls as US touts progress on Iran deal, reopening Hormuz

Brent prices slide over 5 per cent, even as Trump insists he will not rush into a final accord.

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

After Trump’s China trip, political scientist gives his assessment on Taiwan, trade leverage, the Iran war and Beijing’s tensions with Tokyo.

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

Extended disruption caused by conflict has prompted Chinese merchants to turn to railway and land transport routes to trade goods.

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.

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

As I see it | How China wins by avoiding war