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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

South and Southeast Asian nations are stepping up capabilities to boost undersea surveillance and defend deep-sea cables, analysts say. Photo: Shutterstock

India

Chinese drone discovery sharpens focus on Asia’s undersea security race

Experts say India is playing ‘steady catch-up’ in boosting undersea surveillance, while Southeast Asian nations’ capabilities differ widely.

51 minutes ago

Bonds

China opens government bond futures to select foreign investors in reform push

46 minutes ago

Artificial intelligence

Iran war shows ‘strategic value’ of AI for China’s military, PLA Daily says

2 hours ago

US, Israel war on Iran

Trump kill order highlights threat of Iran’s ‘mosquito fleet’

Iranian speedboat swarms heighten the threat to commercial shipping and US warships in flashpoint waters.

4 hours agovideocam

An Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps fast-attack craft taking part in the seizure of a cargo vessel in the Strait of Hormuz this week. Photo: IRIB TV via AFP

US, Israel war on Iran

Why US tanker blockades are raising risks for Southeast Asian strait controllers

The bigger risk is not of the Iran war spilling into their waters, but the strain of operating in more contested sea lanes, analysts say.

5 hours agovideocam

SCMP Highlights

Trump extends Iran ceasefire; Hong Kong actress’ cancer shock: 7 highlights

From Hong Kong’s triple baby bonus scheme to President Xi Jinping’s Strait of Hormuz call, here are highlights from SCMP’s recent reporting.

24 Apr 2026 - 1:30PM

Indonesia

Indonesia rules out collecting transit fees from ships in Malacca Strait

‘As a trading nation, Indonesia supports freedom of navigation and expects open sea lanes,’ Foreign Minister Sugiono says.

24 Apr 2026 - 11:30AMvideocam

A container vessel sails through the Malacca Strait in Port Klang, Malaysia, on Wednesday. Photo: EPA

US-China relations

Letters | China’s interest doesn’t lie in US failures

Readers discuss Chinese thinking on global stability, Turkey’s school shootings, and talk of regime change.

24 Apr 2026 - 11:30AM

US-China relations

Exclusive | Trump ally to visit China as US turns up pressure before May summit

Republican senator to lead bipartisan delegation to China next week; visit will begin on May 1, with stops planned in Shanghai and Beijing.

1 hour agovideocam

US-China relations

What the Iran war could tell China about US focus on maritime chokepoints

The Iran war reflects Washington’s greater emphasis on implementing its maritime security strategy, analyst says.

24 Apr 2026 - 8:57AMvideocam

The liquefied natural gas tanker LNG Jia Xing passes through the Strait of Malacca, a route for most of China’s maritime trade and energy imports. Photo: EPA

US, Israel war on Iran

Opinion | Iran war ship seizures show how dual-use claims are being weaponised

In an increasingly fractured world, elastic dual-use claims could become not just a security tool but a new sticking point in global trade.

24 Apr 2026 - 8:29AMvideocam

US forces patrol near the Iranian-flagged cargo ship Touska after they boarded and seized the vessel in the Arabian Sea on April 19. Photo: Reuters

Donald Trump

Trump says King Charles’ visit could ‘absolutely’ repair US-UK ties

The monarch’s landmark visit comes as the Iran war, Epstein scandal and other issues test the US-UK alliance.

5 hours ago

US, Israel war on Iran

Trump orders US forces to ‘shoot and kill’ boats laying mines in Strait of Hormuz

US president authorises lethal force as the arrival of a third aircraft carrier bolsters a massive naval presence.

3 hours agovideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

Is the US in decline? Why Iran war might be the surest sign

In going from international rule-maker to ‘predatory hegemon’, the US is risking it all, Chinese state media and observers warn.

24 Apr 2026 - 12:18AMvideocam

Chinese analysts say Washington’s reckless behaviour under President Donald Trump has alienated allies, weakened its credibility and eroded its global influence. Photo: Reuters

Semiconductors

Asia’s chipmakers feel the heat as naphtha crunch hits photoresist supply

Japanese suppliers warn of photoresist strain as upstream shocks ripple through Asia’s semiconductor supply chain.

6 hours ago

Shortages are expected to hit advanced nodes that rely on extreme ultraviolet lithography the hardest. Photo: EPA

China energy security

China targets greener AI data centres, heavy industry to meet 2030 climate goals

New emission rules for strategic sectors come as the Iran war reinforces the need for energy security.

23 Apr 2026 - 9:00PMvideocam

Belt and Road Initiative

As US-Iran war chokes Hormuz, can ‘Middle Corridor’ rise to the rescue?

Logistics route via Central Asia, South Caucasus, Caspian Sea and Turkey said to be ‘experiencing massive operational momentum’.

23 Apr 2026 - 8:30PMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

Iran’s exiled crown prince splashed with red substance in Berlin

Reza Pahlavi targeted while leaving a press conference where he said diplomacy with Iran ‘has been given enough chance’.

23 Apr 2026 - 8:21PM

Reza Pahlavi after he was splattered with that appears to be tomato juice or sauce. Photo: dpa

US, Israel war on Iran

Video | Iran seizes two container ships in Hormuz

The Epaminondas and the MSC Francesca first received warning shots as they tried to cross the Strait of Hormuz.

23 Apr 2026 - 7:05PM

Malaysia

Malaysia’s durian growers in ‘survival mode’ as early glut squeezes export trade

An early bumper harvest and rising fuel and freight costs are squeezing premium durian exporters as they race to get their fruit into China.

24 Apr 2026 - 12:35PMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

Chinese military experts take stock of US munitions weak spot exposed by Iran war

Think tank warns that weapons shortfalls could leave American forces vulnerable in a future conflict – and Chinese observers agree.

23 Apr 2026 - 6:00PMvideocam

An American report estimates that the US used about half of its THAAD missiles in the 39 days of its war on Iran before the ceasefire. Photo: AP

China energy security

Nuclear power revival gets boost from Iran war

China is set to open seven nuclear reactors this year, and other countries are reconsidering atomic energy as the Strait of Hormuz shutdown disrupts oil and gas supplies.

23 Apr 2026 - 6:18PM

Construction work at a nuclear power plant in Jiangsu province. Photo: Xinhua

US, Israel war on Iran

Powerful reaction: how Iran war could spark Asia’s green hydrogen surge

The war-driven hike in fossil fuel prices is narrowing the cost gap, making the clean energy alternative look like a good option.

23 Apr 2026 - 4:33PMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

How Iran responded to Trump’s claimed role in saving 8 women from execution

Trump claimed Iran ‘respected my request’ to save the protesters. Iran’s judiciary said he’s ‘fabricating achievements’.

23 Apr 2026 - 4:28PM

Middle East

Lebanon to confront Israel over demolition of homes since ceasefire

Lebanese officials plan to raise the issue of widespread demolitions at a new round of talks Thursday in Washington.

23 Apr 2026 - 3:41PM

Destroyed houses in the southern Lebanon village of Beit Lif. Photo: Xinhua

Asean

New direction: Southeast Asian airports fill Middle East hub gap

SIA, Cathay, Korean Air and Qantas have reported an increase in demand for European routes as travellers avoid Middle Eastern hubs.

23 Apr 2026 - 4:12PMvideocam

Passengers enter the departure area at Singapore’s Changi Airport. Photo: AFP

Hong Kong economy

Letters | If energy crisis drags on, Hong Kong may need to rely on conservation

Readers discuss the government’s options as fuel prices stay high, and how the city can improve mental health.

23 Apr 2026 - 11:30AM

Malaysia

US intercepts Iranian tankers near India, Malaysia amid Hormuz tensions

The vessels were ordered to move away from their positions as Washington and Tehran intensify their stand-off over the waterway.

23 Apr 2026 - 10:27AMvideocam

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Iran

Chinese drone discovery sharpens focus on Asia’s undersea security race

Experts say India is playing ‘steady catch-up’ in boosting undersea surveillance, while Southeast Asian nations’ capabilities differ widely.

China opens government bond futures to select foreign investors in reform push

Iran war shows ‘strategic value’ of AI for China’s military, PLA Daily says

Trump kill order highlights threat of Iran’s ‘mosquito fleet’

Iranian speedboat swarms heighten the threat to commercial shipping and US warships in flashpoint waters.

Why US tanker blockades are raising risks for Southeast Asian strait controllers

The bigger risk is not of the Iran war spilling into their waters, but the strain of operating in more contested sea lanes, analysts say.

Trump extends Iran ceasefire; Hong Kong actress’ cancer shock: 7 highlights

From Hong Kong’s triple baby bonus scheme to President Xi Jinping’s Strait of Hormuz call, here are highlights from SCMP’s recent reporting.

Indonesia rules out collecting transit fees from ships in Malacca Strait

‘As a trading nation, Indonesia supports freedom of navigation and expects open sea lanes,’ Foreign Minister Sugiono says.

.css-19im5qg{color:#c79a00;}Letters | China’s interest doesn’t lie in US failures

Readers discuss Chinese thinking on global stability, Turkey’s school shootings, and talk of regime change.

Exclusive | Trump ally to visit China as US turns up pressure before May summit

Republican senator to lead bipartisan delegation to China next week; visit will begin on May 1, with stops planned in Shanghai and Beijing.

What the Iran war could tell China about US focus on maritime chokepoints

The Iran war reflects Washington’s greater emphasis on implementing its maritime security strategy, analyst says.

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}Opinion | Iran war ship seizures show how dual-use claims are being weaponised

In an increasingly fractured world, elastic dual-use claims could become not just a security tool but a new sticking point in global trade.

Trump says King Charles’ visit could ‘absolutely’ repair US-UK ties

The monarch’s landmark visit comes as the Iran war, Epstein scandal and other issues test the US-UK alliance.

Trump orders US forces to ‘shoot and kill’ boats laying mines in Strait of Hormuz

US president authorises lethal force as the arrival of a third aircraft carrier bolsters a massive naval presence.

Is the US in decline? Why Iran war might be the surest sign

In going from international rule-maker to ‘predatory hegemon’, the US is risking it all, Chinese state media and observers warn.

Asia’s chipmakers feel the heat as naphtha crunch hits photoresist supply

Japanese suppliers warn of photoresist strain as upstream shocks ripple through Asia’s semiconductor supply chain.

China targets greener AI data centres, heavy industry to meet 2030 climate goals

New emission rules for strategic sectors come as the Iran war reinforces the need for energy security.

As US-Iran war chokes Hormuz, can ‘Middle Corridor’ rise to the rescue?

Logistics route via Central Asia, South Caucasus, Caspian Sea and Turkey said to be ‘experiencing massive operational momentum’.

Iran’s exiled crown prince splashed with red substance in Berlin

Reza Pahlavi targeted while leaving a press conference where he said diplomacy with Iran ‘has been given enough chance’.

.css-1t72pn8{color:#C79A00;}Video | Iran seizes two container ships in Hormuz

The Epaminondas and the MSC Francesca first received warning shots as they tried to cross the Strait of Hormuz.

Malaysia’s durian growers in ‘survival mode’ as early glut squeezes export trade

An early bumper harvest and rising fuel and freight costs are squeezing premium durian exporters as they race to get their fruit into China.

Chinese military experts take stock of US munitions weak spot exposed by Iran war

Think tank warns that weapons shortfalls could leave American forces vulnerable in a future conflict – and Chinese observers agree.

Nuclear power revival gets boost from Iran war

China is set to open seven nuclear reactors this year, and other countries are reconsidering atomic energy as the Strait of Hormuz shutdown disrupts oil and gas supplies.

Powerful reaction: how Iran war could spark Asia’s green hydrogen surge

The war-driven hike in fossil fuel prices is narrowing the cost gap, making the clean energy alternative look like a good option.

How Iran responded to Trump’s claimed role in saving 8 women from execution

Trump claimed Iran ‘respected my request’ to save the protesters. Iran’s judiciary said he’s ‘fabricating achievements’.

Lebanon to confront Israel over demolition of homes since ceasefire

Lebanese officials plan to raise the issue of widespread demolitions at a new round of talks Thursday in Washington.

New direction: Southeast Asian airports fill Middle East hub gap

SIA, Cathay, Korean Air and Qantas have reported an increase in demand for European routes as travellers avoid Middle Eastern hubs.

Letters | If energy crisis drags on, Hong Kong may need to rely on conservation

Readers discuss the government’s options as fuel prices stay high, and how the city can improve mental health.

US intercepts Iranian tankers near India, Malaysia amid Hormuz tensions

The vessels were ordered to move away from their positions as Washington and Tehran intensify their stand-off over the waterway.

Letters | China’s interest doesn’t lie in US failures

Opinion | Iran war ship seizures show how dual-use claims are being weaponised

Video | Iran seizes two container ships in Hormuz