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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

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, left, meets with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Islamabad, Pakistan, on Saturday. Photo: Reuters

China-Middle East relations

Trump cancels envoys’ trip to Pakistan for peace talks

‘We have all the cards,’ US president declares; Iranian foreign minister leaves Islamabad.

1 minute ago

China-Middle East relations

Iran digs in as US envoys Kushner and Witkoff head to Pakistan for more talks

3 hours agovideocam

Britain

Argentina again calls for UK talks on Falklands, US confirms neutrality

6 hours ago

US, Israel war on Iran

US uses unusual routes to send jet fuel to Asia bases as Hormuz stays shut

The shipments to Subic Bay and Yokose add to a growing trend of US military fuel heading to regions that typically rely on Mideast supplies.

25 Apr 2026 - 3:40PMvideocam

A Philippine Navy frigate is docked at Subic Bay in Zambales province. Photo: Jeoffrey Maitem

US, Israel war on Iran

Iran war is tearing polyester fabric of fast fashion – and shoes could be next

Conflict-driven oil price spikes are straining Asia’s polyester supply chain, threatening higher costs for firms like Zara and H&M.

25 Apr 2026 - 3:18PMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

Pakistan, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Egypt: the Middle East’s new power brokers?

‘Fear of US abandonment’ is helping forge a new Middle East – but don’t expect an Islamic Nato just yet.

25 Apr 2026 - 1:30PM

War and conflict

Opinion | Blinding the world with lies makes peacemaking an impossible task

From Iran to the Horn of Africa, disinformation is killing diplomacy. Mediators need facts, not state-sponsored fictions.

25 Apr 2026 - 11:00AM

Russia

Russia says US using coups, kidnappings to ‘defend its well-being’ at any cost

‘The United States has officially declared that no one can dictate to it,’ Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov says.

25 Apr 2026 - 9:29AMvideocam

Indonesia

Mixed bag: Indonesia’s 8% growth dream hits a plastic ceiling

Soaring packaging costs amid the Iran war hint at a deeper malaise as the middle class contracts and growth hits a plateau.

25 Apr 2026 - 8:00AMvideocam

G7 ‘concerned’ at Russia and China’s nuclear build-up

The remarks come ahead of a month-long conference to revise the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.

25 Apr 2026 - 3:48AMvideocam

A Yars intercontinental ballistic missile is seen at Russia’s Plesetsk testing field in footage released in October 2025. Photo: Russian Defence Ministry via AFP

US, Israel war on Iran

US sanctions China-based oil refinery and 40 shippers over Iran oil

Hengli Petrochemical’s facility in Dalian can process 400,000 barrels per day, making it one of the biggest independent refineries in China.

25 Apr 2026 - 3:06PMvideocam

A Hengli Group petrochemical industrial park is seen in China’s Dalian in June 2024. Photo: Xinhua

Pakistan

US says direct talks are on, Iran says no: confusion over Pakistan meeting

Trump sends Witkoff and Kushner; meanwhile, Iran’s foreign ministry denies US discussions even as Araghchi arrives in Islamabad.

25 Apr 2026 - 7:06PMvideocam

India

Chinese drone discovery sharpens focus on Asia’s undersea security race

Experts say India is playing ‘steady catch-up’ in boosting undersea surveillance, while Southeast Asian nations’ capabilities differ widely.

24 Apr 2026 - 7:27PM

Bonds

China opens government bond futures to select foreign investors in reform push

Qualified foreign investors can trade government bond futures, enhancing market access and boosting the yuan’s appeal amid global tensions.

24 Apr 2026 - 7:33PM

China’s bond market is capitalised at more than 200 trillion yuan. Photo: Shutterstock

Artificial intelligence

Iran war shows ‘strategic value’ of AI for China’s military, PLA Daily says

Commentary calls it ‘inevitable’ and necessary for PLA to embrace artificial intelligence to gain the advantage in future warfare.

24 Apr 2026 - 6:00PM

China’s military mouthpiece said AI-driven warfare was at a “turning point”. Image: Shutterstock

US, Israel war on Iran

Trump kill order highlights threat of Iran’s ‘mosquito fleet’

Iranian speedboat swarms heighten the threat to commercial shipping and US warships in flashpoint waters.

24 Apr 2026 - 4:19PMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

Why US tanker blockades are raising risks for Southeast Asian strait controllers

The bigger risk is not of the Iran war spilling into their waters, but the strain of operating in more contested sea lanes, analysts say.

24 Apr 2026 - 3:10PMvideocam

SCMP Highlights

Trump extends Iran ceasefire; Hong Kong actress’ cancer shock: 7 highlights

From Hong Kong’s triple baby bonus scheme to President Xi Jinping’s Strait of Hormuz call, here are highlights from SCMP’s recent reporting.

24 Apr 2026 - 1:30PM

Cargo ships near the Strait of Hormuz. Photo: Reuters

Indonesia

Indonesia rules out collecting transit fees from ships in Malacca Strait

‘As a trading nation, Indonesia supports freedom of navigation and expects open sea lanes,’ Foreign Minister Sugiono says.

24 Apr 2026 - 11:30AMvideocam

US-China relations

Letters | China’s interest doesn’t lie in US failures

Readers discuss Chinese thinking on global stability, Turkey’s school shootings, and talk of regime change.

24 Apr 2026 - 11:30AM

US-China relations

Exclusive | Trump ally to visit China as US turns up pressure before May summit

Republican senator to lead bipartisan delegation to China next week; visit will begin on May 1, with stops planned in Shanghai and Beijing.

24 Apr 2026 - 6:59PMvideocam

Chinese Premier Li Qiang greets US Senator Steve Daines ahead of their meeting at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on March 23, 2025. Photo: Pool via Reuters

US-China relations

What the Iran war could tell China about US focus on maritime chokepoints

The Iran war reflects Washington’s greater emphasis on implementing its maritime security strategy, analyst says.

24 Apr 2026 - 8:57AMvideocam

The liquefied natural gas tanker LNG Jia Xing passes through the Strait of Malacca, a route for most of China’s maritime trade and energy imports. Photo: EPA

US, Israel war on Iran

Opinion | Iran war ship seizures show how dual-use claims are being weaponised

In an increasingly fractured world, elastic dual-use claims could become not just a security tool but a new sticking point in global trade.

24 Apr 2026 - 8:29AMvideocam

Donald Trump

Trump says King Charles’ visit could ‘absolutely’ repair US-UK ties

The monarch’s landmark visit comes as the Iran war, Epstein scandal and other issues test the US-UK alliance.

24 Apr 2026 - 3:19PM

US, Israel war on Iran

Trump orders US forces to ‘shoot and kill’ boats laying mines in Strait of Hormuz

US president authorises lethal force as the arrival of a third aircraft carrier bolsters a massive naval presence.

24 Apr 2026 - 5:08PMvideocam

A satellite image shows a fleet of small boats at sea, north of the Strait of Hormuz near the Kargan coast, Iran. Photo: European Union/Copernicus Sentinel-2 via Reuters

US, Israel war on Iran

Is the US in decline? Why Iran war might be the surest sign

In going from international rule-maker to ‘predatory hegemon’, the US is risking it all, Chinese state media and observers warn.

24 Apr 2026 - 12:18AMvideocam

Chinese analysts say Washington’s reckless behaviour under President Donald Trump has alienated allies, weakened its credibility and eroded its global influence. Photo: Reuters

Semiconductors

Asia’s chipmakers feel the heat as naphtha crunch hits photoresist supply

Japanese suppliers warn of photoresist strain as upstream shocks ripple through Asia’s semiconductor supply chain.

24 Apr 2026 - 2:31PM

China energy security

China targets greener AI data centres, heavy industry to meet 2030 climate goals

New emission rules for strategic sectors come as the Iran war reinforces the need for energy security.

23 Apr 2026 - 9:00PMvideocam

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Iran

Trump cancels envoys’ trip to Pakistan for peace talks

‘We have all the cards,’ US president declares; Iranian foreign minister leaves Islamabad.

Iran digs in as US envoys Kushner and Witkoff head to Pakistan for more talks

Argentina again calls for UK talks on Falklands, US confirms neutrality

US uses unusual routes to send jet fuel to Asia bases as Hormuz stays shut

The shipments to Subic Bay and Yokose add to a growing trend of US military fuel heading to regions that typically rely on Mideast supplies.

Iran war is tearing polyester fabric of fast fashion – and shoes could be next

Conflict-driven oil price spikes are straining Asia’s polyester supply chain, threatening higher costs for firms like Zara and H&M.

Pakistan, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Egypt: the Middle East’s new power brokers?

‘Fear of US abandonment’ is helping forge a new Middle East – but don’t expect an Islamic Nato just yet.

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}Opinion | Blinding the world with lies makes peacemaking an impossible task

From Iran to the Horn of Africa, disinformation is killing diplomacy. Mediators need facts, not state-sponsored fictions.

Russia says US using coups, kidnappings to ‘defend its well-being’ at any cost

‘The United States has officially declared that no one can dictate to it,’ Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov says.

Mixed bag: Indonesia’s 8% growth dream hits a plastic ceiling

Soaring packaging costs amid the Iran war hint at a deeper malaise as the middle class contracts and growth hits a plateau.

G7 ‘concerned’ at Russia and China’s nuclear build-up

The remarks come ahead of a month-long conference to revise the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.

US sanctions China-based oil refinery and 40 shippers over Iran oil

Hengli Petrochemical’s facility in Dalian can process 400,000 barrels per day, making it one of the biggest independent refineries in China.

US says direct talks are on, Iran says no: confusion over Pakistan meeting

Trump sends Witkoff and Kushner; meanwhile, Iran’s foreign ministry denies US discussions even as Araghchi arrives in Islamabad.

Chinese drone discovery sharpens focus on Asia’s undersea security race

Experts say India is playing ‘steady catch-up’ in boosting undersea surveillance, while Southeast Asian nations’ capabilities differ widely.

China opens government bond futures to select foreign investors in reform push

Qualified foreign investors can trade government bond futures, enhancing market access and boosting the yuan’s appeal amid global tensions.

Iran war shows ‘strategic value’ of AI for China’s military, PLA Daily says

Commentary calls it ‘inevitable’ and necessary for PLA to embrace artificial intelligence to gain the advantage in future warfare.

Trump kill order highlights threat of Iran’s ‘mosquito fleet’

Iranian speedboat swarms heighten the threat to commercial shipping and US warships in flashpoint waters.

Why US tanker blockades are raising risks for Southeast Asian strait controllers

The bigger risk is not of the Iran war spilling into their waters, but the strain of operating in more contested sea lanes, analysts say.

Trump extends Iran ceasefire; Hong Kong actress’ cancer shock: 7 highlights

From Hong Kong’s triple baby bonus scheme to President Xi Jinping’s Strait of Hormuz call, here are highlights from SCMP’s recent reporting.

Indonesia rules out collecting transit fees from ships in Malacca Strait

‘As a trading nation, Indonesia supports freedom of navigation and expects open sea lanes,’ Foreign Minister Sugiono says.

.css-19im5qg{color:#c79a00;}Letters | China’s interest doesn’t lie in US failures

Readers discuss Chinese thinking on global stability, Turkey’s school shootings, and talk of regime change.

Exclusive | Trump ally to visit China as US turns up pressure before May summit

Republican senator to lead bipartisan delegation to China next week; visit will begin on May 1, with stops planned in Shanghai and Beijing.

What the Iran war could tell China about US focus on maritime chokepoints

The Iran war reflects Washington’s greater emphasis on implementing its maritime security strategy, analyst says.

Opinion | Iran war ship seizures show how dual-use claims are being weaponised

In an increasingly fractured world, elastic dual-use claims could become not just a security tool but a new sticking point in global trade.

Trump says King Charles’ visit could ‘absolutely’ repair US-UK ties

The monarch’s landmark visit comes as the Iran war, Epstein scandal and other issues test the US-UK alliance.

Trump orders US forces to ‘shoot and kill’ boats laying mines in Strait of Hormuz

US president authorises lethal force as the arrival of a third aircraft carrier bolsters a massive naval presence.

Is the US in decline? Why Iran war might be the surest sign

In going from international rule-maker to ‘predatory hegemon’, the US is risking it all, Chinese state media and observers warn.

Asia’s chipmakers feel the heat as naphtha crunch hits photoresist supply

Japanese suppliers warn of photoresist strain as upstream shocks ripple through Asia’s semiconductor supply chain.

China targets greener AI data centres, heavy industry to meet 2030 climate goals

New emission rules for strategic sectors come as the Iran war reinforces the need for energy security.

Opinion | Blinding the world with lies makes peacemaking an impossible task

Letters | China’s interest doesn’t lie in US failures