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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

Tokyo is said to have plans to introduce suicide-style drones that fly to a target, crash into it and explode. Photo: Shutterstock Images

China-Japan relations

With an eye on China, Japan looks to kamikaze drones and low-cost missiles

Tokyo plans to introduce loitering munitions with a range of more than 1,000km, according to Japanese media reports citing official sources.

20 minutes agovideocam

Malaysia

Malaysia urged to take more aggressive action to tackle energy crisis

3 minutes ago

US, Israel war on Iran

Israel strikes over 3,500 Lebanon targets in a month

50 minutes agovideocam

US-China trade war

‘Liberation Day’ anniversary, war on Iran, Taiwan’s KMT visits Beijing

This week: One year since Trump’s ‘Liberation Day’, China proposes Iran war peace plan in partnership with Pakistan, Hong Kong retains IPO crown. Next week: Taiwan’s Kuomintang leader visits mainland, Chinese airlines raise fuel surcharges, factory-gate prices may end slump, and more.

1 hour ago

US President Donald Trump announces worldwide tariffs on April 2, 2025. Photo: Getty Images/TNS

US, Israel war on Iran

Helium supply shock threatens Asian chipmakers as economic slowdown fears mount

Iranian attacks on Qatar’s LNG facilities are curbing the supply of helium, a crucial gas used in chipmaking.

1 hour agovideocam

Indonesia

Indonesia and Malaysia require geo-tracking for civil servants working from home

As governments roll out work-from-home policies to cut fuel use, civil servants face location tracking and other productivity measures.

2 hours agovideocam

US-China relations

Opinion | 3 reasons Xi-Trump summit won’t be a waste of time for China

Despite current tensions and dim prospects for meaningful progress, Beijing should still roll out the red carpet.

2 hours agovideocam

US President Donald Trump, left, and President Xi Jinping pose for a photo at the Forbidden City in Beijing on November 8, 2017. Photo: AFP

US, Israel war on Iran

Iran says shot down F-35 fighter jet with new defence system

IRGC claims ‘complete destruction’ of the advanced jet occurred over central Iran, and it is unlikely the pilot survived.

2 hours ago

Japan

US delays Japan’s Tomahawk missile supplies as Iran strikes take priority

The missiles are key to boosting Tokyo’s long-range strike capabilities to deal with challenges from China and North Korea.

4 hours agovideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

Trump’s ‘Stone Age’ threats against Iran spark war crimes alarm

Over 100 US experts warn that strikes on civilian infrastructure in Iran may violate international law.

4 hours ago

A US B-52H Stratofortress bomber aircraft during Operation Epic Fury. Photo: US Air Force via AFP

Indonesia

Indonesia rebalances energy policy as Iran war spurs new projects

As oil prices surge, Indonesia aims to reduce its reliance on fossil fuels and intensify the use of crude palm oil for diesel blending.

4 hours ago

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi meets Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto in Tokyo on Tuesday. Prabowo has invited Japan to develop Indonesia’s nuclear and renewable energy. Photo: Kyodo

SCMP Highlights

Malaysia’s racial divide; Australia and Japan’s jet fuel woes: 7 highlights

From Hong Kong’s restaurant revamps to deep racial divisions in Malaysia, here are highlights from SCMP’s recent reporting.

5 hours ago

China energy security

Strait of Hormuz crisis

China remains relatively sheltered by its strategic oil reserves and investment in clean energy, even as Iran’s blockade of the Strait of Hormuz sparks a global energy crisis.

5 hours ago

US, Israel war on Iran

Trump hails destruction of Iran’s tallest bridge, warns of ‘much more to follow’

US president renews threats that Iran accept an immediate deal ‘before there is nothing left’.

4 hours ago

Donald Trump posted footage on social media of smoke rising from a bridge after a strike. Photo: Donald Trump via Truth Social

Hong Kong economy

More Hongkongers to travel over long Easter break despite higher costs

60 per cent of outbound travellers expected to head to mainland cities, with high-speed rail continuing to gain popularity as the preferred mode of transport.

3 Apr 2026 - 9:00AM

Travel Industry Council executive director Fanny Yeung says recent fuel surcharge increases had not led to cancellations, as travellers had finalised plans by then. Photo: Eugene Lee

US, Israel war on Iran

Editorial | Trump’s Iran address fails to set minds at ease or clearly signal direction

The Iran war is a wake-up call to many countries about their overdependence on the US for security.

3 Apr 2026 - 7:15AM

US-China trade war

The US-China trade war 1 year on: who really holds the upper hand?

A fragile truce prevented all-out confrontation, but Beijing and Washington remain locked in a struggle few analysts see easing any time soon.

3 Apr 2026 - 6:15AMvideocam

Banking & finance

Opinion | From the US to Hong Kong, there’s no excuse for insider trading

Far from a victimless crime, insider trading steals from the rest of us by unfairly using knowledge that is available only to the privileged.

3 Apr 2026 - 5:30AM

US President Donald Trump and first lady Melania at the Kennedy Centre for the opening night of the musical Chicago on March 31. Oil trades spiked by half a billion dollars minutes before Trump posted a pause on the US attack on Iranian energy sites. Photo: Getty Images via AFP

United States

Hegseth ousts army’s top uniformed officer, even as US wages war on Iran

Chief of Staff Randy George has been asked to take early retirement, in the latest of over a dozen firings of top generals and admirals.

3 Apr 2026 - 6:55AMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

Iran war: music and barbecues in Tehran despite Trump’s ‘Stone Age’ threats

Families celebrate the last day of the Persian new year holidays, even as the US president vows to hit the country hard.

3 Apr 2026 - 4:21AM

United States

Trump fires Pam Bondi as US president’s frustration with bad news grows

Attorney general’s removal follows the ouster of Trump’s homeland security and border patrol chiefs amid a wave of negative headlines.

3 hours ago

US Attorney General Pam Bondi and US President Donald Trump on Monday. Bondi was fired on Thursday. Photo: Reuters

US, Israel war on Iran

Immediate reopening of Strait of Hormuz demanded at 40-nation talks

Iran is trying to hold the global economy hostage via its blockade of the waterway, said the UK’s foreign minister, who hosted the meeting.

3 Apr 2026 - 11:30AMvideocam

British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper hosts a virtual meeting with foreign ministers. Photo: EPA

US, Israel war on Iran

What will the US do next in its war on Iran? Chinese pundits point to a likely path

With no truce in sight, American forces might be preparing for a short, sharp option, analysts say.

2 Apr 2026 - 11:54PMvideocam

China-Middle East relations

China’s Iran war strategy, Trump’s Hormuz ask: 7 global relations reads

From a China-Israel call on Iran to an unlikely nuclear deal, here are highlights from the SCMP’s overseas correspondents in March 2026.

2 Apr 2026 - 11:00PM

United States

US crude tops US$110, Wall Street falls after Trump vows more Iran attacks

Crude prices had been inching back towards US$100 per barrel before Trump’s Wednesday address in which he promised more strikes on Iran.

3 Apr 2026 - 12:56AMvideocam

A trader works on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange at the opening bell in New York on Thursday. Wall Street stocks tumbled early Thursday on the latest jump in oil prices as tough rhetoric between the United States and Iran reduced hopes of a Middle East war resolution. Photo: AFP

US, Israel war on Iran

How Trump’s plan to take Iran’s Kharg Island could come unhinged

US President Donald Trump has repeatedly threatened to seize the key Iranian oil hub, with latest speech heightening fears.

2 Apr 2026 - 9:30PMvideocam

US Navy sailors load onto an MV-22B Osprey during an exercise aboard the forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli on March 26.
The Tripoli arrived in the Middle East last week. Photo: Handout

Middle East

Macron says military operation to ‘liberate’ Strait of Hormuz ‘unrealistic’

Such an operation would take excessive time and expose those crossing the strait to ‘coastal threats’.

2 Apr 2026 - 8:51PM

War and conflict

Opinion | Iran war is changing East Asia’s energy and strategic plays

States like China and Russia that can provide energy, industrial inputs, strategic reassurance or room for manoeuvre are gaining weight.

2 Apr 2026 - 9:44PMvideocam

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Iran

With an eye on China, Japan looks to kamikaze drones and low-cost missiles

Tokyo plans to introduce loitering munitions with a range of more than 1,000km, according to Japanese media reports citing official sources.

Malaysia urged to take more aggressive action to tackle energy crisis

Israel strikes over 3,500 Lebanon targets in a month

‘Liberation Day’ anniversary, war on Iran, Taiwan’s KMT visits Beijing

This week: One year since Trump’s ‘Liberation Day’, China proposes Iran war peace plan in partnership with Pakistan, Hong Kong retains IPO crown. Next week: Taiwan’s Kuomintang leader visits mainland, Chinese airlines raise fuel surcharges, factory-gate prices may end slump, and more.

Helium supply shock threatens Asian chipmakers as economic slowdown fears mount

Iranian attacks on Qatar’s LNG facilities are curbing the supply of helium, a crucial gas used in chipmaking.

Indonesia and Malaysia require geo-tracking for civil servants working from home

As governments roll out work-from-home policies to cut fuel use, civil servants face location tracking and other productivity measures.

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}Opinion | 3 reasons Xi-Trump summit won’t be a waste of time for China

Despite current tensions and dim prospects for meaningful progress, Beijing should still roll out the red carpet.

Iran says shot down F-35 fighter jet with new defence system

IRGC claims ‘complete destruction’ of the advanced jet occurred over central Iran, and it is unlikely the pilot survived.

US delays Japan’s Tomahawk missile supplies as Iran strikes take priority

The missiles are key to boosting Tokyo’s long-range strike capabilities to deal with challenges from China and North Korea.

Trump’s ‘Stone Age’ threats against Iran spark war crimes alarm

Over 100 US experts warn that strikes on civilian infrastructure in Iran may violate international law.

Indonesia rebalances energy policy as Iran war spurs new projects

As oil prices surge, Indonesia aims to reduce its reliance on fossil fuels and intensify the use of crude palm oil for diesel blending.

Malaysia’s racial divide; Australia and Japan’s jet fuel woes: 7 highlights

From Hong Kong’s restaurant revamps to deep racial divisions in Malaysia, here are highlights from SCMP’s recent reporting.

Strait of Hormuz crisis

China remains relatively sheltered by its strategic oil reserves and investment in clean energy, even as Iran’s blockade of the Strait of Hormuz sparks a global energy crisis.

Trump hails destruction of Iran’s tallest bridge, warns of ‘much more to follow’

US president renews threats that Iran accept an immediate deal ‘before there is nothing left’.

More Hongkongers to travel over long Easter break despite higher costs

60 per cent of outbound travellers expected to head to mainland cities, with high-speed rail continuing to gain popularity as the preferred mode of transport.

Editorial | Trump’s Iran address fails to set minds at ease or clearly signal direction

The Iran war is a wake-up call to many countries about their overdependence on the US for security.

The US-China trade war 1 year on: who really holds the upper hand?

A fragile truce prevented all-out confrontation, but Beijing and Washington remain locked in a struggle few analysts see easing any time soon.

Opinion | From the US to Hong Kong, there’s no excuse for insider trading

Far from a victimless crime, insider trading steals from the rest of us by unfairly using knowledge that is available only to the privileged.

Hegseth ousts army’s top uniformed officer, even as US wages war on Iran

Chief of Staff Randy George has been asked to take early retirement, in the latest of over a dozen firings of top generals and admirals.

Iran war: music and barbecues in Tehran despite Trump’s ‘Stone Age’ threats

Families celebrate the last day of the Persian new year holidays, even as the US president vows to hit the country hard.

Trump fires Pam Bondi as US president’s frustration with bad news grows

Attorney general’s removal follows the ouster of Trump’s homeland security and border patrol chiefs amid a wave of negative headlines.

Immediate reopening of Strait of Hormuz demanded at 40-nation talks

Iran is trying to hold the global economy hostage via its blockade of the waterway, said the UK’s foreign minister, who hosted the meeting.

What will the US do next in its war on Iran? Chinese pundits point to a likely path

With no truce in sight, American forces might be preparing for a short, sharp option, analysts say.

China’s Iran war strategy, Trump’s Hormuz ask: 7 global relations reads

From a China-Israel call on Iran to an unlikely nuclear deal, here are highlights from the SCMP’s overseas correspondents in March 2026.

US crude tops US$110, Wall Street falls after Trump vows more Iran attacks

Crude prices had been inching back towards US$100 per barrel before Trump’s Wednesday address in which he promised more strikes on Iran.

How Trump’s plan to take Iran’s Kharg Island could come unhinged

US President Donald Trump has repeatedly threatened to seize the key Iranian oil hub, with latest speech heightening fears.

Macron says military operation to ‘liberate’ Strait of Hormuz ‘unrealistic’

Such an operation would take excessive time and expose those crossing the strait to ‘coastal threats’.

Opinion | Iran war is changing East Asia’s energy and strategic plays

States like China and Russia that can provide energy, industrial inputs, strategic reassurance or room for manoeuvre are gaining weight.

Opinion | 3 reasons Xi-Trump summit won’t be a waste of time for China