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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

Since the large-scale attacks by the US and Israel against Iran began over the weekend, Beijing has limited its response to diplomatic statements. Photo: AFP

China-Middle East relations

Why China is staying on the sidelines of the US-Iran conflict

Decision based on consideration of Beijing’s own interests as well as its ties with Washington and others, analysts say.

1 minute agovideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

Unesco-listed Iran palace damaged as US and Israel ramp up air war

25 minutes ago

US, Israel war on Iran

China caught between Iran and Gulf states as Tehran strikes across Middle East

24 minutes agovideocam

Hong Kong economy

Middle East exhibitors at Hong Kong jewellery fair rue poorer sales, attendance

While organiser reports only ‘small’ dip in participants, at least two firms expect fewer clients due to travel disruptions caused by war in Iran.

1 hour ago

Buyers queue to enter the Hong Kong International Jewellery Show at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre on Wednesday. Photo: Sam Tsang

China society

Opinion | Why a TV hit in China about waging peace resonates so deeply

Swords into Ploughshares can tell us a lot about Beijing’s approach to the crisis in Iran, cross-strait relations and this year’s ‘two sessions’.

52 minutes agovideocam

Ukraine war

Trump’s Iran attack sparks calls in Russia to abandon Ukraine talks

Some Russian hardliners are urging Vladimir Putin to double down on the war in Ukraine.

2 hours agovideocam

China's economic recovery

Stagflation risk emerges amid Mideast oil crisis, clouds China’s economic battle

While rising energy costs from war in Iran may briefly aid China’s deflation battle, analysts warn how oil price spike could threaten nation’s fragile economic rebound.

2 hours agovideocam

A worker fills up a car at a petrol station in China’s Shandong province. A prominent economist said rising oil prices amid Middle East tensions could lead to stagflation in China. Photo: Getty Images

US, Israel war on Iran

Sri Lanka recovers ‘a few bodies’ after Iran warship sinking

The 180-crew frigate had issued a distress call at dawn.

43 minutes agovideocam

Technology

Asian tech stocks reel as US-Iran war threatens infrastructure and supply chains

South Korea’s Kospi is the worst-hit in Asia, with Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix falling 11.7 per cent and 9.6 per cent, respectively.

2 hours ago

Israel

Video | Mass burial held for victims of Iranian school missile strike

The strike in Minab killed at least 175 people.

4 hours ago

01:36

Hong Kong economy

10% rise in costs expected as shipping giant halts Middle East bookings

Hong Kong sector representatives expect increase to be driven by rising fuel prices, longer voyages, war-risk charges and higher insurance costs.

2 hours ago

Cargo ships docked at Kwai Chung Container Terminal. Photo: Elson Li

Hong Kong stock market

Oil surge stokes inflation fears as Middle East flashpoint rattles markets

Rising oil prices are shaking global markets as investors rethink rate-cut bets and brace for slower growth and renewed inflation.

3 hours ago

North Korea

North Korea’s hostage strategy packs more bite in post-Iran US shake-up

The Pentagon wants Seoul to shoulder more of its defence burden. Analysts say it may have strengthened Kim Jong-un’s hand instead.

3 hours agovideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

Israel says next leader of Iran also a ‘target for elimination’

As Tehran prepares to bid farewell to Khamenei, Israel’s defence minister issues a blunt warning for his successor.

2 hours ago

A worker installs a billboard on a Tehran overpass containing a portrait of the late Iranian Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Photo: AP

Aviation

Persian Gulf crisis boosts Chinese airlines’ routes to Europe amid turmoil

Chinese carriers gain advantage as Gulf carriers take heavy hit from airspace closures; actress Dilraba Dilmurat among those stranded.

5 hours ago

A man stands in front of a closed check-in counter for Gulf carrier Etihad at London Heathrow Airport on Sunday. Photo: AFP

Thailand

Thailand’s PTT to freeze pump prices as Iran attacks spur panic buying in region

The energy firm will maintain prices for 15 days, even as Thailand says it will still export oil to Laos.

4 hours agovideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

US and Kurds discuss potential Iran military operation: sources

The prospect of Kurdish groups operating inside Iran signals US consideration for a ground uprising.

4 Mar 2026 - 12:33PMvideocam

Donald Trump

Video | Trump seeks to justify Iran war

The US President held a White House meeting where he seemed to walk back Marco Rubio’s comments that Israel triggered the war.

4 Mar 2026 - 11:46AM

00:38

Hong Kong society

First planeload of Hongkongers stranded in Middle East set to return home

Insider says government exploring ways to bring others back sooner, as expert urges prioritising work with airlines to secure seats and keep taxpayer costs down.

9 minutes ago

US, Israel war on Iran

Maritime mayhem: shipping firms halt Gulf routes amid regional military strikes

Rising tensions in the Strait of Hormuz see vessels diverted and bookings suspended, as companies impose emergency fees of up to US$4,000 per unit.

4 Mar 2026 - 10:00AMvideocam

Indonesia

Thousands of passengers ‘stuck’ in Indonesia’s Bali after war grounds planes

With foreigners at risk of overstaying their visas, the Bali immigration office has introduced a free same-day emergency stay permit.

4 Mar 2026 - 9:08AM

Passengers await news of their flights at Bali’s Ngurah Rai International Airport amid disruptions from Israeli-US strikes on Iran on Monday. Photo: AFP

The Philippines

Duterte allies use Iran war threat to attack Philippines’ US ties

Social media posts claim US bases in the Philippines are like ‘bullseyes on Filipino soil’, prompting the military to debunk the disinformation.

4 Mar 2026 - 9:00AMvideocam

A naval base in Cagayan province, the Philippines. The Enhanced Defence Cooperation Agreement, or EDCA, allows US forces rotational access to selected Philippine military bases. Photo: EPA-EFE

Hong Kong economy

From oil spikes to power bills, how war on Iran will hit Hongkongers’ wallets

Residents may face higher energy and dining costs as analysts stress the city cannot remain immune to surging oil prices.

4 Mar 2026 - 12:23PM

US, Israel war on Iran

Iran war: France’s nuclear-powered aircraft carrier heads to the Mediterranean

Rafale fighter jets, air-defence systems and airborne radar systems have also been deployed in the Middle East.

4 Mar 2026 - 7:02AMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

Trump slams European allies, praises China and continues to justify Iran attack

US president blasted Spain for denying access to its military bases for his bombing campaign, but boasts of ‘good relationship with China’.

4 Mar 2026 - 12:02PMvideocam

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and US President Donald Trump meet in the Oval Office on Tuesday. Photo: Reuters

China-Middle East relations

China urges Israel to end war in Iran as regional tensions escalate

Beijing says US-Israeli strikes were in bad faith and calls for an immediate halt, a return to talks and opposition to unilateral action.

4 Mar 2026 - 8:07AMvideocam

Smoke rises following an explosion in Tehran on Tuesday following air strikes by Israel and the US. Photo: WANA via Reuters

US, Israel war on Iran

Iran will not ‘automatically’ fall after Khamenei’s death, shah’s widow says

Farah Pahlavi, Iran’s last empress, has lived in exile in Paris since being driven from the country with her husband in the 1979 revolution.

4 Mar 2026 - 2:07AMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

Video | Philippine overseas workers under fire as Iran conflict worsens

Philippine government has no mass repatriation plan, leaving many workers to weigh risks against the livelihoods of their families back home.

4 Mar 2026 - 12:11AMvideocam

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Iran

Why China is staying on the sidelines of the US-Iran conflict

Decision based on consideration of Beijing’s own interests as well as its ties with Washington and others, analysts say.

Unesco-listed Iran palace damaged as US and Israel ramp up air war

China caught between Iran and Gulf states as Tehran strikes across Middle East

Middle East exhibitors at Hong Kong jewellery fair rue poorer sales, attendance

While organiser reports only ‘small’ dip in participants, at least two firms expect fewer clients due to travel disruptions caused by war in Iran.

.css-1m2rp1p{color:#34b8b5;}Opinion | Why a TV hit in China about waging peace resonates so deeply

Swords into Ploughshares can tell us a lot about Beijing’s approach to the crisis in Iran, cross-strait relations and this year’s ‘two sessions’.

Trump’s Iran attack sparks calls in Russia to abandon Ukraine talks

Some Russian hardliners are urging Vladimir Putin to double down on the war in Ukraine.

Stagflation risk emerges amid Mideast oil crisis, clouds China’s economic battle

While rising energy costs from war in Iran may briefly aid China’s deflation battle, analysts warn how oil price spike could threaten nation’s fragile economic rebound.

Sri Lanka recovers ‘a few bodies’ after Iran warship sinking

The 180-crew frigate had issued a distress call at dawn.

Asian tech stocks reel as US-Iran war threatens infrastructure and supply chains

South Korea’s Kospi is the worst-hit in Asia, with Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix falling 11.7 per cent and 9.6 per cent, respectively.

.css-rcruog{color:#C79A00;}Video | Mass burial held for victims of Iranian school missile strike

The strike in Minab killed at least 175 people.

10% rise in costs expected as shipping giant halts Middle East bookings

Hong Kong sector representatives expect increase to be driven by rising fuel prices, longer voyages, war-risk charges and higher insurance costs.

Oil surge stokes inflation fears as Middle East flashpoint rattles markets

Rising oil prices are shaking global markets as investors rethink rate-cut bets and brace for slower growth and renewed inflation.

North Korea’s hostage strategy packs more bite in post-Iran US shake-up

The Pentagon wants Seoul to shoulder more of its defence burden. Analysts say it may have strengthened Kim Jong-un’s hand instead.

Israel says next leader of Iran also a ‘target for elimination’

As Tehran prepares to bid farewell to Khamenei, Israel’s defence minister issues a blunt warning for his successor.

Persian Gulf crisis boosts Chinese airlines’ routes to Europe amid turmoil

Chinese carriers gain advantage as Gulf carriers take heavy hit from airspace closures; actress Dilraba Dilmurat among those stranded.

Thailand’s PTT to freeze pump prices as Iran attacks spur panic buying in region

The energy firm will maintain prices for 15 days, even as Thailand says it will still export oil to Laos.

US and Kurds discuss potential Iran military operation: sources

The prospect of Kurdish groups operating inside Iran signals US consideration for a ground uprising.

Video | Trump seeks to justify Iran war

The US President held a White House meeting where he seemed to walk back Marco Rubio’s comments that Israel triggered the war.

First planeload of Hongkongers stranded in Middle East set to return home

Insider says government exploring ways to bring others back sooner, as expert urges prioritising work with airlines to secure seats and keep taxpayer costs down.

Maritime mayhem: shipping firms halt Gulf routes amid regional military strikes

Rising tensions in the Strait of Hormuz see vessels diverted and bookings suspended, as companies impose emergency fees of up to US$4,000 per unit.

Thousands of passengers ‘stuck’ in Indonesia’s Bali after war grounds planes

With foreigners at risk of overstaying their visas, the Bali immigration office has introduced a free same-day emergency stay permit.

Duterte allies use Iran war threat to attack Philippines’ US ties

Social media posts claim US bases in the Philippines are like ‘bullseyes on Filipino soil’, prompting the military to debunk the disinformation.

From oil spikes to power bills, how war on Iran will hit Hongkongers’ wallets

Residents may face higher energy and dining costs as analysts stress the city cannot remain immune to surging oil prices.

Iran war: France’s nuclear-powered aircraft carrier heads to the Mediterranean

Rafale fighter jets, air-defence systems and airborne radar systems have also been deployed in the Middle East.

Trump slams European allies, praises China and continues to justify Iran attack

US president blasted Spain for denying access to its military bases for his bombing campaign, but boasts of ‘good relationship with China’.

China urges Israel to end war in Iran as regional tensions escalate

Beijing says US-Israeli strikes were in bad faith and calls for an immediate halt, a return to talks and opposition to unilateral action.

Iran will not ‘automatically’ fall after Khamenei’s death, shah’s widow says

Farah Pahlavi, Iran’s last empress, has lived in exile in Paris since being driven from the country with her husband in the 1979 revolution.

.css-sioo19{color:#c79a00;}Video | Philippine overseas workers under fire as Iran conflict worsens

Philippine government has no mass repatriation plan, leaving many workers to weigh risks against the livelihoods of their families back home.

Opinion | Why a TV hit in China about waging peace resonates so deeply

Video | Mass burial held for victims of Iranian school missile strike

Video | Philippine overseas workers under fire as Iran conflict worsens