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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

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer outside 10 Downing Street in London. Photo: EPA

Britain

UK’s Starmer calls emergency meeting on economy as Iran war risks mount

Britain’s high inflation, stretched public finances and dependence on imported natural gas have pushed its government bonds into a decline.

27 minutes ago

Ukraine war

Ukraine and US teams conclude talks; Zelensky says new prisoner swap possible

3 hours ago

US, Israel war on Iran

US may ‘escalate to de-escalate’ attacks against Iran, says Scott Bessent

23 Mar 2026 - 12:58AMvideocam

China's military weapons

Why is China’s ASN-301 suicide drone more deadly than its Iranian counterpart?

In a conflict over Taiwan or western Pacific, Beijing may overwhelm air defences through sheer numbers in a war of economic attrition.

22 Mar 2026 - 11:47PMvideocam

China’s ASN-301, anti-radiation loitering munition, which shares the Iranian Shahed-136’s aerodynamic delta-wing design. Photo: Handout

Vietnam

Vietnam PM visits Russia to sign energy deal amid Iran war disruption

Since the US-Israel war against Iran began, the cost of 95-octane petrol and diesel in Vietnam has soared by 50 per cent and 70 per cent respectively.

22 Mar 2026 - 9:26PM

War and conflict

Opinion | Another war, another trade chokepoint crisis. Who is hit the hardest?

Those with narrow trade structures are hit the hardest but those with broad networks of partners, such as China, tend to be more resilient.

22 Mar 2026 - 9:30PMvideocam

US-China relations

Chinese social media is awash with criticisms of the US. Can it go too far?

Online responses range from sarcastic variants on Beijing’s official line to ‘armchair generals’ telling Tehran how best to fight America.

22 Mar 2026 - 8:00PMvideocam

Photos of grieving families in Iran have attracted millions of views on Chinese social media. Photo: Reuters

The Philippines

Philippines will allow use of dirtier, cheaper fuel amid US-Iran war

The ‌Philippines has taken steps such as shortening the work week and providing ⁠fuel subsidies to counter the impact of rising costs.

22 Mar 2026 - 7:13PM

Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong firms face profit squeeze as US importers cut orders amid oil crisis

City’s business leaders also say government should bolster ties with Central Asia and Asean nations to diversify market risks.

22 Mar 2026 - 9:18PM

Commodities

Gold slides as hawkish Fed and strong US dollar override geopolitical fears

Market watchers point to fading hopes of interest rate cuts and oil-driven inflation concerns as key drivers of the decline.

22 Mar 2026 - 5:01PM

A modest rebound driven by technical buying on Friday did little to alter the broader downtrend, with gold prices hovering around the US$4,500 level. Photo: DPA

China trade

International capital flowing to China as investors seek certainty amid Iran war

Conflict in the Middle East and growing global turbulence following US-Israeli strikes against Iran has seen foreign investors look to China.

22 Mar 2026 - 4:24PMvideocam

The US-Israel war on Iran has resulted in international capital flowing to Hong Kong as China is considered a stable and certain option. Photo: SCMP

India

Why India faces dilemma over Iran war while seeking ‘diplomatic flexibility’

India has to carefully navigate the fallout from the war, given its huge stakes in the Middle East, analysts say.

22 Mar 2026 - 4:08PMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

What the 4,000km Diego Garcia missile launch reveals about Iran’s intentions

By targeting the UK-US base, Tehran displays a ‘show of force’ and sends a ‘strategic messaging’ to Washington and Israel, experts say.

22 Mar 2026 - 3:30PMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

Israeli towns reel from ‘terrifying’ Iranian missile strikes

Missiles hit Arad and Dimona, causing extensive destruction and injuries, as Israel vows to attack ‘our enemies on all fronts’.

22 Mar 2026 - 1:59PMvideocam

A man looks at residential buildings damaged by an Iranian missile strike in Arad, southern Israel, on Sunday. Photo: AP

Japan

Japan may send ‘top level’ minesweepers to Hormuz after ceasefire

Foreign Minister Motegi also announced the release and return of one of the two Japanese nationals previously detained in Iran.

22 Mar 2026 - 12:08PMvideocam

A Japanese Maritime Self-Defence Force’s minesweeper makes a port call in Cambodia last year. Photo: Kyodo

Science

Could ultra-precise harvest forecasts give China an advantage in Iran war fallout?

Accurate grain output prediction allows China to mitigate food shortages, react to global price rises or plan storage and export measures.

22 Mar 2026 - 6:20PMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

Trump threatens to ‘obliterate’ Iran’s power plants in Hormuz ultimatum

The US president demands Tehran reopen the shipping lane within 48 hours, making the deadline a ‘ticking time bomb’ for markets.

22 Mar 2026 - 6:08PMvideocam

Malaysia

Malaysia wanted 43 million tourists this year. Then the Iran war happened

Malaysia’s reliance on Gulf hubs is exposed as long-haul fares soar, but 21 million annual arrivals from Singapore offer a buffer.

22 Mar 2026 - 8:00AMvideocam

Members of the Iranian women’s football team seen at Kuala Lumpur International Airport on Monday after staying in a hotel in the Malaysian capital while awaiting the next leg of their journey home. Photo: AFP

US, Israel war on Iran

Iranian missile gets past Israeli interceptors to hit town with nuclear site

Iran says the attack, which wounded dozens, was in response to a strike on its own Natanz nuclear site.

22 Mar 2026 - 7:10AM

US-China relations

Does USS Tripoli’s deployment to Middle East create an opening for China?

Amphibious assault ship’s transfer said to cause ‘dip’ in deterrence against Beijing’s military activity around Taiwan and South China Sea.

21 Mar 2026 - 10:00PMvideocam

Taiwan

Could Taiwan’s military continue to fight after an Iran-like decapitation?

Analysts and officials in Taipei are assessing what lessons they can learn from the US-Israel precision strikes on the Iranian leadership.

21 Mar 2026 - 8:00PMvideocam

Iran’s capacity to absorb the loss of its top leadership, including Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, is being closely studied by military strategists in Taiwan. Photo: Reuters

US, Israel war on Iran

Iran fires missiles at UK-US base in Indian Ocean, 4,000km away

The attack on the Diego Garcia facility is the first time in the war that Tehran has been reported to have used weapons with such a range.

22 Mar 2026 - 12:08AMvideocam

A US bomber takes off from the Diego Garcia military base in 2001. Photo: Handout via AFP

China-France relations

China decries ‘unjust war’ on Iran as it calls for immediate ceasefire

In a call with Paris, Chinese top diplomat Wang Yi urges mediation efforts and an end to the spread of the conflict.

21 Mar 2026 - 8:36PM

Middle East

Many more to follow? As Iran hangs 3 young men, rights groups raise alarm

The three are the first to be executed from among tens of thousands arrested during a brutal crackdown on protests in January.

21 Mar 2026 - 5:40PMvideocam

War and conflict

Macroscope | Trump’s war is uniting the world, just not how he might have expected

The war on Iran could prompt middle powers to go beyond forming coalitions independent of the US and align more openly with China.

21 Mar 2026 - 4:30PM

A protester wears a mask of US President Donald Trump in front of the US embassy in Seoul, South Korea, on March 16, during a demonstration against Trump’s request to dispatch warships to the Strait of Hormuz. Photo: AFP

Climate change

Himalayan glacial loss threatens 2 billion as Asia’s ‘water tower’ shrinks

Conflicts, such as the Iran war, are diverting global attention away from the ecological crisis, scientists warn.

21 Mar 2026 - 3:00PM

Nepal’s Mera Glacier is among the handful of glaciers in the Hindu Kush Himalaya region that meets the World Glacier Monitoring Service’s benchmark standards. Photo: Patrick Wagnon/ICIMOD

Japan

Iran ready to help Japan ships pass through Strait of Hormuz, Araghchi says

Calling on the world to oppose the attacks against Iran, the foreign minister notes Japan’s ‘balanced and fair’ position.

21 Mar 2026 - 2:47PM

Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong to issue weekly updates on fuel charges to counter price gouging

Environment minister says information will allow public to monitor oil price changes more accurately.

21 Mar 2026 - 9:41PM

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Iran

UK’s Starmer calls emergency meeting on economy as Iran war risks mount

Britain’s high inflation, stretched public finances and dependence on imported natural gas have pushed its government bonds into a decline.

Ukraine and US teams conclude talks; Zelensky says new prisoner swap possible

US may ‘escalate to de-escalate’ attacks against Iran, says Scott Bessent

Why is China’s ASN-301 suicide drone more deadly than its Iranian counterpart?

In a conflict over Taiwan or western Pacific, Beijing may overwhelm air defences through sheer numbers in a war of economic attrition.

Vietnam PM visits Russia to sign energy deal amid Iran war disruption

Since the US-Israel war against Iran began, the cost of 95-octane petrol and diesel in Vietnam has soared by 50 per cent and 70 per cent respectively.

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}Opinion | Another war, another trade chokepoint crisis. Who is hit the hardest?

Those with narrow trade structures are hit the hardest but those with broad networks of partners, such as China, tend to be more resilient.

Chinese social media is awash with criticisms of the US. Can it go too far?

Online responses range from sarcastic variants on Beijing’s official line to ‘armchair generals’ telling Tehran how best to fight America.

Philippines will allow use of dirtier, cheaper fuel amid US-Iran war

The ‌Philippines has taken steps such as shortening the work week and providing ⁠fuel subsidies to counter the impact of rising costs.

Hong Kong firms face profit squeeze as US importers cut orders amid oil crisis

City’s business leaders also say government should bolster ties with Central Asia and Asean nations to diversify market risks.

Gold slides as hawkish Fed and strong US dollar override geopolitical fears

Market watchers point to fading hopes of interest rate cuts and oil-driven inflation concerns as key drivers of the decline.

International capital flowing to China as investors seek certainty amid Iran war

Conflict in the Middle East and growing global turbulence following US-Israeli strikes against Iran has seen foreign investors look to China.

Why India faces dilemma over Iran war while seeking ‘diplomatic flexibility’

India has to carefully navigate the fallout from the war, given its huge stakes in the Middle East, analysts say.

What the 4,000km Diego Garcia missile launch reveals about Iran’s intentions

By targeting the UK-US base, Tehran displays a ‘show of force’ and sends a ‘strategic messaging’ to Washington and Israel, experts say.

Israeli towns reel from ‘terrifying’ Iranian missile strikes

Missiles hit Arad and Dimona, causing extensive destruction and injuries, as Israel vows to attack ‘our enemies on all fronts’.

Japan may send ‘top level’ minesweepers to Hormuz after ceasefire

Foreign Minister Motegi also announced the release and return of one of the two Japanese nationals previously detained in Iran.

Could ultra-precise harvest forecasts give China an advantage in Iran war fallout?

Accurate grain output prediction allows China to mitigate food shortages, react to global price rises or plan storage and export measures.

Trump threatens to ‘obliterate’ Iran’s power plants in Hormuz ultimatum

The US president demands Tehran reopen the shipping lane within 48 hours, making the deadline a ‘ticking time bomb’ for markets.

Malaysia wanted 43 million tourists this year. Then the Iran war happened

Malaysia’s reliance on Gulf hubs is exposed as long-haul fares soar, but 21 million annual arrivals from Singapore offer a buffer.

Iranian missile gets past Israeli interceptors to hit town with nuclear site

Iran says the attack, which wounded dozens, was in response to a strike on its own Natanz nuclear site.

Does USS Tripoli’s deployment to Middle East create an opening for China?

Amphibious assault ship’s transfer said to cause ‘dip’ in deterrence against Beijing’s military activity around Taiwan and South China Sea.

Could Taiwan’s military continue to fight after an Iran-like decapitation?

Analysts and officials in Taipei are assessing what lessons they can learn from the US-Israel precision strikes on the Iranian leadership.

Iran fires missiles at UK-US base in Indian Ocean, 4,000km away

The attack on the Diego Garcia facility is the first time in the war that Tehran has been reported to have used weapons with such a range.

China decries ‘unjust war’ on Iran as it calls for immediate ceasefire

In a call with Paris, Chinese top diplomat Wang Yi urges mediation efforts and an end to the spread of the conflict.

Many more to follow? As Iran hangs 3 young men, rights groups raise alarm

The three are the first to be executed from among tens of thousands arrested during a brutal crackdown on protests in January.

Macroscope | Trump’s war is uniting the world, just not how he might have expected

The war on Iran could prompt middle powers to go beyond forming coalitions independent of the US and align more openly with China.

Himalayan glacial loss threatens 2 billion as Asia’s ‘water tower’ shrinks

Conflicts, such as the Iran war, are diverting global attention away from the ecological crisis, scientists warn.

Iran ready to help Japan ships pass through Strait of Hormuz, Araghchi says

Calling on the world to oppose the attacks against Iran, the foreign minister notes Japan’s ‘balanced and fair’ position.

Hong Kong to issue weekly updates on fuel charges to counter price gouging

Environment minister says information will allow public to monitor oil price changes more accurately.

Opinion | Another war, another trade chokepoint crisis. Who is hit the hardest?