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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

Philippine overseas workers are under fire as Iran conflict worsens. Photo: Handout/SCMP composite

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 minutes agovideocam

United States

Global sell-off in stocks slams Wall Street as oil prices leap even higher on war woes

5 minutes agovideocam

China-Middle East relations

How will China adjust Israel ties as US-led strikes on Iran reshape Middle East?

3 minutes agovideocam

Saudi Arabia

Video | Philippine overseas workers under fire as Iran conflict worsens

The Philippine government still has no plan for mass repatriation, leaving many workers to weigh life‑and‑death risks against the livelihoods of their families back home.

1 hour ago

Philippine carers have described racing to bomb shelters in Israel as the US-Israeli war in Iran sends missiles across the Middle East.

02:23

China trade

Not just oil: Iran war disrupts China’s imports of key industrial material

The closure of the Strait of Hormuz is choking off China’s imports of methanol – a vital input for the country’s industrial sector.

39 minutes agovideocam

Two Sessions 2026

Will Iran feature in foreign policy talks at China’s ‘two sessions’?

The focus is on economics and the five-year plan but the turmoil could prompt a rethink in some areas, analysts say.

3 hours agovideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

China and France agree to help de-escalate US-Israeli conflict with Iran

The world must not return to the law of the jungle, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang tells France’s Jean-Noel Barrot.

4 hours agovideocam

France says it was neither informed of nor involved in the military operations against Iran. Photo: AFP

US, Israel war on Iran

Opinion | US war on Iran isn’t likely to go as planned

US war planners have overlooked viewing their adversary through realpolitik in the past. They now face a far more organised opponent.

2 hours agovideocam

China energy security

As US-Iran war threatens oil supplies, will China speed up its green transition?

Beijing is still dependent on fossil fuels but Washington’s recent interventions may prompt officials to fast-track shift, analysts say.

4 hours agovideocam

South China Sea

US patrol flights over South China Sea drop 30% as focus shifts to Middle East

Decline in reconnaissance aircraft sorties comes during critical time in China-US ties ahead of planned Donald Trump visit.

5 hours agovideocam

The RC-135 is one of the mainstays of the US military’s large reconnaissance aircraft fleet. Photo: US Air Force

Hong Kong society

What Hong Kong travellers stuck in the Middle East need to do as war spirals

At least 432 residents are stranded in region as dozens of flights between city and Middle East are disrupted by conflict.

6 hours ago

A plume of smoke from an Iranian strike rises behind planes parked at Dubai International Airport on Sunday, March 1. Photo: AP

Indonesia

‘Nothing to them’: Indonesia’s US-Iran peace broker bid faces long odds

Indonesia’s president offered to fly to Tehran in person, but critics say joining Trump’s ‘Board of Peace’ cost Jakarta its neutrality.

6 hours agovideocam

US-China trade war

Trump-Xi trade detente weathers US strikes on Iran

US attacks on Chinese oil supplier Iran have done little damage to relations between the world’s two largest economies ahead of Trump’s planned trip to Beijing.

3 Mar 2026 - 5:15PM

US, Israel war on Iran

Gulf states take the fight to Iran as missiles target oil, gas and trade

The UAE, Qatar and others had a plan for staying out of a US-Iran war. It relied on the assumption that Iran would leave them out of it too.

3 Mar 2026 - 3:53PMvideocam

A plume of smoke rises from the port of Jebel Ali following a reported Iranian strike in Dubai on Sunday. Photo: AFP

US, Israel war on Iran

Understanding China’s cautious stance on Iran following US-Israel strikes

Beijing’s strong but restrained reaction aligns with a long-standing strategy of diplomatic backing without direct military engagement.

3 Mar 2026 - 4:26PMvideocam

A man with an Iranian flag surveys the damaged facade of Gandhi Hospital, which was hit on Sunday during the US-Israel strikes. Photo: AP

Hong Kong politics

Focus on development and cherish stability, Xia Baolong urges Hong Kong

Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office director meets local delegates ahead of annual political gatherings in capital.

21 minutes agovideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

How is the conflict in Iran affecting Europe’s energy supply and prices?

Analysts urge EU to accelerate green energy transition and reduce reliance on fossil fuel imports.

3 Mar 2026 - 3:25PM

US, Israel war on Iran

Iran’s cheap threat: US$20,000 drones vs US$4 million interceptors

Iran and the US may run low on weapons in a matter of days or weeks. Whoever can last longer will gain a serious advantage.

3 Mar 2026 - 1:38PM

A building that was damaged by an Iranian drone attack in Juffair, Manama, Bahrain, on Sunday. Photo: Reuters

US, Israel war on Iran

New satellite photos show apparent attack on Iran nuclear site: report

Strikes on Iran’s Natanz complex occurred between Sunday afternoon and Monday morning, report shows.

3 Mar 2026 - 12:50PMvideocam

SCMP Highlights

Southeast Asian navy strategies, Japan video sparks outrage: 7 Asia highlights

From predictions on Iranian leadership to North Korea’s nuclear vindication, here are a few highlights from SCMP’s recent Asia reporting.

3 Mar 2026 - 12:00PM

China trade

‘We couldn’t reach them’: Chinese firms’ Iran business in limbo after strikes

Attacks on Iran by the US and Israel have left China’s exporters doing business there unsure of their future, with contacts unresponsive.

3 Mar 2026 - 12:00PMvideocam

Smoke rises in central Tehran after an Israeli attack in Iran. Photo: EPA

The Philippines

Filipinos in Middle East war zones torn between safety and livelihood

The 2 million Filipinos working in the region are primary breadwinners, remitting billions of dollars to their families each year.

1 hour agovideocam

A resident inspects damage at his home in Tel Aviv on Sunday after a direct missile strike hit the area. Photo: dpa

Middle East

Letters | Iran’s people deserve stability, dignity and peace

Readers discuss the US and Israel’s bombing of Iran, US-Philippine military cooperation, and American criticism of a key Chinese trade negotiator.

3 Mar 2026 - 11:30AM

Hong Kong transport

585 Hongkongers stranded in Middle East and seeking help

Immigration Department says four Hongkongers have successfully left the region.

1 hour agovideocam

Hong Kong society

‘We want to go home’: Hongkongers trapped in Mideast call for more official help

‘We hope the Hong Kong government can care more about Hongkongers stranded in Dubai, not just provide an emergency contact number,’ one person says.

1 hour ago

A black plume of smoke rises from a warehouse in Sharjah following reports of Iranian strikes in the UAE. Photo: AP

Pakistan

Pakistan cities under curfew after 23 die in protests over Khamenei killing

Authorities have imposed a three-day curfew in the northern cities of Gilgit and Skardu, citing ‘deteriorating law and order conditions’.

3 Mar 2026 - 8:53AMvideocam

Smoke and flames rise from the UN office in Gilgit, Pakistan, after it is set ablaze by protesters on Sunday. Photo: Reuters

War and conflict

Editorial | Strikes on Iran may complicate US-China ties

No significant impact expected on China’s, or Hong Kong’s, economy from the most recent conflict in the Middle East.

3 Mar 2026 - 7:15AM

France

France to boost atomic arsenal, could deploy nuclear-armed jets to allies

France’s Macron says eight European countries have agreed to a ‘forward’ deterrence plan to bolster continental security.

3 Mar 2026 - 4:41PM

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Iran

.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.

Global sell-off in stocks slams Wall Street as oil prices leap even higher on war woes

How will China adjust Israel ties as US-led strikes on Iran reshape Middle East?

.css-rcruog{color:#C79A00;}Video | Philippine overseas workers under fire as Iran conflict worsens

The Philippine government still has no plan for mass repatriation, leaving many workers to weigh life‑and‑death risks against the livelihoods of their families back home.

Not just oil: Iran war disrupts China’s imports of key industrial material

The closure of the Strait of Hormuz is choking off China’s imports of methanol – a vital input for the country’s industrial sector.

Will Iran feature in foreign policy talks at China’s ‘two sessions’?

The focus is on economics and the five-year plan but the turmoil could prompt a rethink in some areas, analysts say.

China and France agree to help de-escalate US-Israeli conflict with Iran

The world must not return to the law of the jungle, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang tells France’s Jean-Noel Barrot.

.css-1m2rp1p{color:#34b8b5;}Opinion | US war on Iran isn’t likely to go as planned

US war planners have overlooked viewing their adversary through realpolitik in the past. They now face a far more organised opponent.

As US-Iran war threatens oil supplies, will China speed up its green transition?

Beijing is still dependent on fossil fuels but Washington’s recent interventions may prompt officials to fast-track shift, analysts say.

US patrol flights over South China Sea drop 30% as focus shifts to Middle East

Decline in reconnaissance aircraft sorties comes during critical time in China-US ties ahead of planned Donald Trump visit.

What Hong Kong travellers stuck in the Middle East need to do as war spirals

At least 432 residents are stranded in region as dozens of flights between city and Middle East are disrupted by conflict.

‘Nothing to them’: Indonesia’s US-Iran peace broker bid faces long odds

Indonesia’s president offered to fly to Tehran in person, but critics say joining Trump’s ‘Board of Peace’ cost Jakarta its neutrality.

Trump-Xi trade detente weathers US strikes on Iran

US attacks on Chinese oil supplier Iran have done little damage to relations between the world’s two largest economies ahead of Trump’s planned trip to Beijing.

Gulf states take the fight to Iran as missiles target oil, gas and trade

The UAE, Qatar and others had a plan for staying out of a US-Iran war. It relied on the assumption that Iran would leave them out of it too.

Understanding China’s cautious stance on Iran following US-Israel strikes

Beijing’s strong but restrained reaction aligns with a long-standing strategy of diplomatic backing without direct military engagement.

Focus on development and cherish stability, Xia Baolong urges Hong Kong

Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office director meets local delegates ahead of annual political gatherings in capital.

How is the conflict in Iran affecting Europe’s energy supply and prices?

Analysts urge EU to accelerate green energy transition and reduce reliance on fossil fuel imports.

Iran’s cheap threat: US$20,000 drones vs US$4 million interceptors

Iran and the US may run low on weapons in a matter of days or weeks. Whoever can last longer will gain a serious advantage.

New satellite photos show apparent attack on Iran nuclear site: report

Strikes on Iran’s Natanz complex occurred between Sunday afternoon and Monday morning, report shows.

Southeast Asian navy strategies, Japan video sparks outrage: 7 Asia highlights

From predictions on Iranian leadership to North Korea’s nuclear vindication, here are a few highlights from SCMP’s recent Asia reporting.

‘We couldn’t reach them’: Chinese firms’ Iran business in limbo after strikes

Attacks on Iran by the US and Israel have left China’s exporters doing business there unsure of their future, with contacts unresponsive.

Filipinos in Middle East war zones torn between safety and livelihood

The 2 million Filipinos working in the region are primary breadwinners, remitting billions of dollars to their families each year.

Letters | Iran’s people deserve stability, dignity and peace

Readers discuss the US and Israel’s bombing of Iran, US-Philippine military cooperation, and American criticism of a key Chinese trade negotiator.

585 Hongkongers stranded in Middle East and seeking help

Immigration Department says four Hongkongers have successfully left the region.

‘We want to go home’: Hongkongers trapped in Mideast call for more official help

‘We hope the Hong Kong government can care more about Hongkongers stranded in Dubai, not just provide an emergency contact number,’ one person says.

Pakistan cities under curfew after 23 die in protests over Khamenei killing

Authorities have imposed a three-day curfew in the northern cities of Gilgit and Skardu, citing ‘deteriorating law and order conditions’.

Editorial | Strikes on Iran may complicate US-China ties

No significant impact expected on China’s, or Hong Kong’s, economy from the most recent conflict in the Middle East.

France to boost atomic arsenal, could deploy nuclear-armed jets to allies

France’s Macron says eight European countries have agreed to a ‘forward’ deterrence plan to bolster continental security.

Video | Philippine overseas workers under fire as Iran conflict worsens

Video | Philippine overseas workers under fire as Iran conflict worsens

Opinion | US war on Iran isn’t likely to go as planned