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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

Ships sit anchored in Muscat, Oman, on Monday, as Iran vows to close the Strait of Hormuz. Photo: Reuters

US, Israel war on Iran

Ships brandish China links to evade Iran’s attacks in Strait of Hormuz

Vessels are claiming to have an ‘all-Chinese crew’ or ‘Chinese owner’ in a bid to reduce the risk of being targeted.

1 hour agovideocam

China energy security

China vows to stabilise oil and gas output in new 5-year plan amid global risks

2 hours agovideocam

Hong Kong society

Hong Kong couple’s HK$50,000 exit from Dubai after ‘biggest blunder’

4 hours agovideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

Nato intercepts Iran missile fired towards Turkey

There was a similar incident last week, with the latest Nato interception coming amid Iran’s targeting of several nations as it retaliates.

4 hours agovideocam

Debris from a Nato air defence system that intercepted a missile launched from Iran is seen in southern Hatay province in Turkey on March 4 in this video screengrab. Photo: via Reuters

War and conflict

Opinion | Superpower contest puts Iran, Panama, Venezuela and Greenland on one map

When one crisis touches canal access, another hits crude and a third touches the Strait of Hormuz, it is hard to call these a coincidence.

9 Mar 2026 - 8:30PMvideocam

2026 Trump-Xi summit

Exclusive | Trump’s China visit confined to Beijing due to schedule, security needs: sources

‘Given the situation [in the Middle East], the visit’s security arrangements must be extremely careful’.

9 Mar 2026 - 8:02PMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

G7 to discuss possible emergency release of oil reserves: French president

Concern is rising about the war and Iran’s blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, through which much of the world’s energy supplies pass.

9 Mar 2026 - 8:27PMvideocam

Cars line up at a gas station in Seoul, South Korea, on Sunday as oil prices surge due to the intensifying conflict in the Middle East. Photo: EPA

North Korea

North Korea cancels Pyongyang marathon weeks before race, with no reason given

The race had been set for April 5 and would have marked the second year since Pyongyang resumed the event after the pandemic.

9 Mar 2026 - 7:18PMvideocam

Israel-Iran conflict

Video | Cheers and protests greet choice of new Iranian supreme leader

One analyst said the choice of Mojtaba Khamenei to lead Iran signals Tehran is not giving in to US-Israeli military pressure.

9 Mar 2026 - 7:08PM

US, Israel war on Iran

Going home? Concern for Iran women’s football team rises in Australia

US President Donald Trump said the US will give the players asylum if Australia does not.

3 hours agovideocam

Iranian players warm up before the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026 football match between Iran and the Philippines on the Gold Coast on Sunday. Photo: AFP

Middle East

Video | Iran war sparks fuel crises in parts of Asia

Bangladesh, Pakistan, Myanmar and Indonesia among the countries facing fuel shortages.

9 Mar 2026 - 5:31PM

Clients queue at a gas station amid rising petrol prices in Karachi on March 7, 2026. (Photo by Rizwan TABASSUM / AFP)

02:00

Asia housing and property

The View | 4 reasons Asia’s property will endure despite Iran war headwinds

Asian property’s sources of resilience are potent and multifaceted, with the drivers of sentiment distinct from those in financial markets.

9 Mar 2026 - 4:30PMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

Video shows apparent US strike as Trump blames Iran for school massacre

Footage of a cruise missile hitting near Minab would appear to contradict Trump’s claims of Iranian culpability.

9 Mar 2026 - 5:06PMvideocam

Energy

Oil above US$100 may persist as Goldman warns rally not over

Investors brace for prolonged disruption after Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz, sending crude to levels unseen since the 2022 energy shock.

9 Mar 2026 - 7:20PM

A worker operates valves at the Rumaila oil field in Basra, Iraq, as the country cuts nearly 1.5 million barrels per day of output following the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Photo: Reuters

Hong Kong transport

Surcharges considered as Hong Kong fuel prices set to rise amid Iran war

Sector representative says surcharges ‘a reluctant step’, adding many drivers have fixed daily commitments that must be met.

5 hours ago

Pump prices are expected to climb further this week amid rising Middle East tensions. Photo: Sam Tsang

US, Israel war on Iran

Where things stand after another weekend of war in the Middle East

As Mojtaba Khamenei takes the helm in Tehran, regional casualties climb and oil prices surge in a conflict that enters its 10th day on Monday.

9 Mar 2026 - 8:13PMvideocam

Malaysia

Malaysia vows to hold petrol prices as Iran war pushes oil past US$100

Malaysia’s prime minister guarantees citizens that RON95 petrol will remain at 1.99 ringgit despite the US-Israel war on Iran.

9 Mar 2026 - 2:11PMvideocam

SCMP Highlights

Cathay fares surge, Hong Kong professor suspended in Australia: 5 weekend reads

From MIT scientist joining Peking University to China’s Wang Yi at ‘two sessions’, here are five stories you may have missed over the weekend.

9 Mar 2026 - 12:37PM

Cathay Pacific has been adjusting routes to redirect capacity after suspending services to and from Dubai and Riyadh, the SCMP has learned. Photo: Eugene Lee

China deflation

China’s inflation rises after holiday spending spree. Is 2% target reachable?

The consumer price index rose 0.8 per cent in the first two months of 2026, though analysts remain concerned about long-term deflation risks.

9 Mar 2026 - 4:44PM

Korean peninsula

US begins large military exercise with South Korea while attacking Iran

Thousands of troops begin annual drills amid speculation over US Patriot redeployment to the Middle East.

9 Mar 2026 - 11:45AM

Hong Kong stock market

Hong Kong stocks slump alongside Asian markets after oil crosses US$100

Brent crude jumps over 20 per cent to trade at around US$110 a barrel, prompting investors to further reduce risk exposure.

9 Mar 2026 - 4:53PMvideocam

The Marine Traffic website shows commercial ship traffic on the edge of the Strait of Hormuz near the Iranian coast, on March 4. Photo: AFP/Getty Images/TNS

Ali Khamenei

Video | Who is Mojtaba Khamenei, Iran’s new supreme leader

The 56-year-old will succeed his father Ali Khamenei, who was killed by US-Israeli air strikes on Iran.

9 Mar 2026 - 9:46AM

01:19

Two Sessions 2026

China ‘stands firm as a mountain’ to protect overseas interests, compatriots

Pledge from Foreign Minister Wang Yi at most-watched press briefing comes as global volatility tests supply chains and regional influence.

9 Mar 2026 - 9:00AMvideocam

Middle East

Who is Mojtaba Khamenei, Iran’s new supreme leader?

A power broker with deep Revolutionary Guard ties, the 56-year-old cleric takes command of a nation under fire after a week of devastating air strikes.

9 Mar 2026 - 7:54PMvideocam

China-Middle East relations

Open Questions | Strikes on Iran not the biggest threat to China’s belt and road goals: Pan Guang

Mainland academic assesses the risks to Chinese investment and diplomacy in the region and what it means for the other main players.

9 Mar 2026 - 10:02AMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

Iran names new supreme leader as oil surges above US$100 a barrel

Son of Khamenei named supreme leader as the Middle East conflict drives up global energy prices and snarls air travel.

9 Mar 2026 - 7:57PMvideocam

A destroyed vehicle after a reported strike on fuel tanks in Tehran, Iran. Photo: West Asia News Agency via Reuters

US, Israel war on Iran

Trump and Starmer hold call on Middle East after rebuke over Iran

Phone call came after Trump mounted his latest criticism of the British leader over a perceived lack of support for the US campaign against Iran.

9 Mar 2026 - 8:16PMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

Macron to visit Cyprus, French warships deployed as war in Middle East rages

The president’s visit will demonstrate France’s solidarity with Cyprus following Iranian strikes and underscore the importance of maritime security in the region.

9 Mar 2026 - 8:14PMvideocam

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Iran

Ships brandish China links to evade Iran’s attacks in Strait of Hormuz

Vessels are claiming to have an ‘all-Chinese crew’ or ‘Chinese owner’ in a bid to reduce the risk of being targeted.

China vows to stabilise oil and gas output in new 5-year plan amid global risks

Hong Kong couple’s HK$50,000 exit from Dubai after ‘biggest blunder’

Nato intercepts Iran missile fired towards Turkey

There was a similar incident last week, with the latest Nato interception coming amid Iran’s targeting of several nations as it retaliates.

.css-1m2rp1p{color:#34b8b5;}Opinion | Superpower contest puts Iran, Panama, Venezuela and Greenland on one map

When one crisis touches canal access, another hits crude and a third touches the Strait of Hormuz, it is hard to call these a coincidence.

.css-sioo19{color:#c79a00;}Exclusive | Trump’s China visit confined to Beijing due to schedule, security needs: sources

‘Given the situation [in the Middle East], the visit’s security arrangements must be extremely careful’.

G7 to discuss possible emergency release of oil reserves: French president

Concern is rising about the war and Iran’s blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, through which much of the world’s energy supplies pass.

North Korea cancels Pyongyang marathon weeks before race, with no reason given

The race had been set for April 5 and would have marked the second year since Pyongyang resumed the event after the pandemic.

.css-rcruog{color:#C79A00;}Video | Cheers and protests greet choice of new Iranian supreme leader

One analyst said the choice of Mojtaba Khamenei to lead Iran signals Tehran is not giving in to US-Israeli military pressure.

Going home? Concern for Iran women’s football team rises in Australia

US President Donald Trump said the US will give the players asylum if Australia does not.

Video | Iran war sparks fuel crises in parts of Asia

Bangladesh, Pakistan, Myanmar and Indonesia among the countries facing fuel shortages.

The View | 4 reasons Asia’s property will endure despite Iran war headwinds

Asian property’s sources of resilience are potent and multifaceted, with the drivers of sentiment distinct from those in financial markets.

Video shows apparent US strike as Trump blames Iran for school massacre

Footage of a cruise missile hitting near Minab would appear to contradict Trump’s claims of Iranian culpability.

Oil above US$100 may persist as Goldman warns rally not over

Investors brace for prolonged disruption after Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz, sending crude to levels unseen since the 2022 energy shock.

Surcharges considered as Hong Kong fuel prices set to rise amid Iran war

Sector representative says surcharges ‘a reluctant step’, adding many drivers have fixed daily commitments that must be met.

Where things stand after another weekend of war in the Middle East

As Mojtaba Khamenei takes the helm in Tehran, regional casualties climb and oil prices surge in a conflict that enters its 10th day on Monday.

Malaysia vows to hold petrol prices as Iran war pushes oil past US$100

Malaysia’s prime minister guarantees citizens that RON95 petrol will remain at 1.99 ringgit despite the US-Israel war on Iran.

Cathay fares surge, Hong Kong professor suspended in Australia: 5 weekend reads

From MIT scientist joining Peking University to China’s Wang Yi at ‘two sessions’, here are five stories you may have missed over the weekend.

China’s inflation rises after holiday spending spree. Is 2% target reachable?

The consumer price index rose 0.8 per cent in the first two months of 2026, though analysts remain concerned about long-term deflation risks.

US begins large military exercise with South Korea while attacking Iran

Thousands of troops begin annual drills amid speculation over US Patriot redeployment to the Middle East.

Hong Kong stocks slump alongside Asian markets after oil crosses US$100

Brent crude jumps over 20 per cent to trade at around US$110 a barrel, prompting investors to further reduce risk exposure.

Video | Who is Mojtaba Khamenei, Iran’s new supreme leader

The 56-year-old will succeed his father Ali Khamenei, who was killed by US-Israeli air strikes on Iran.

China ‘stands firm as a mountain’ to protect overseas interests, compatriots

Pledge from Foreign Minister Wang Yi at most-watched press briefing comes as global volatility tests supply chains and regional influence.

Who is Mojtaba Khamenei, Iran’s new supreme leader?

A power broker with deep Revolutionary Guard ties, the 56-year-old cleric takes command of a nation under fire after a week of devastating air strikes.

Open Questions | Strikes on Iran not the biggest threat to China’s belt and road goals: Pan Guang

Mainland academic assesses the risks to Chinese investment and diplomacy in the region and what it means for the other main players.

Iran names new supreme leader as oil surges above US$100 a barrel

Son of Khamenei named supreme leader as the Middle East conflict drives up global energy prices and snarls air travel.

Trump and Starmer hold call on Middle East after rebuke over Iran

Phone call came after Trump mounted his latest criticism of the British leader over a perceived lack of support for the US campaign against Iran.

Macron to visit Cyprus, French warships deployed as war in Middle East rages

The president’s visit will demonstrate France’s solidarity with Cyprus following Iranian strikes and underscore the importance of maritime security in the region.

Opinion | Superpower contest puts Iran, Panama, Venezuela and Greenland on one map

Exclusive | Trump’s China visit confined to Beijing due to schedule, security needs: sources

Video | Cheers and protests greet choice of new Iranian supreme leader