TOPIC

/ location

Bahrain

The latest news, analysis and opinion on Bahrain. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.

Capital

Manama

Head of State

King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa

Head of Government

Prime Minister Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa

About a fifth of the world’s oil and gas supplies usually pass through the Strait of Hormuz. Photo: Getty Images/TNS

China-EU relations

China, Europe and why Beijing took a swing at Iran over the Strait of Hormuz

Beijing takes a stand at the United Nations at the closure of shipping lanes.

3 Apr 2026 - 8:00PMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

Trump’s ex-China mineral-alliance plan faces cost surge amid Iran war oil shock

2 Apr 2026 - 8:00PM

US, Israel war on Iran

After early anger, Gulf allies press Trump for final blow to Iran

31 Mar 2026 - 2:16PMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

Iran’s Islamic republic will ‘collapse internally’, says Netanyahu

Gulf allies of the US, led by Saudi Arabia and the UAE, are meanwhile urging Trump to continue prosecuting the war against Iran.

31 Mar 2026 - 6:36AMvideocam

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Photo: EPA

China trade

Will Iran’s strikes on Gulf smelters strengthen China’s aluminium dominance?

Analysts say disruption at plants could shift more output to China, which already produces more than half of global supply.

31 Mar 2026 - 12:08AMvideocam

Japan

Japan’s PM will mull top-level talks with Iran at ‘appropriate’ time

Stability in the Middle East is vital for Japan, which relies on the region for over 90 per cent of its crude oil imports.

30 Mar 2026 - 9:54PMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

Iran targets Bahrain aluminium, 2 injured amid Hormuz closure

Most Gulf aluminium producers, which account for about 9 per cent of global supply, have been unable to ship due to Tehran’s effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

29 Mar 2026 - 8:22PM

A building damaged in a reported Iranian drone strike, amid the US-Israeli conflict with Iran, in Seef, Manama, Bahrain, on March 10. Photo: Reuters

US, Israel war on Iran

Spy, steal and frighten: Iran-linked hackers open digital front in war

Spyware-laden shelter alerts, hacked hospitals and supply chain breaches highlight modern warfare’s digital shift.

29 Mar 2026 - 2:49PMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

Iran targets Israel and Gulf states after denying Trump claim of talks

There’s no sign of reduced fighting after the US president claimed there was dialogue in the Iran war.

24 Mar 2026 - 9:41PMvideocam

China-Middle East relations

Opinion | When it comes to the Persian Gulf, China’s top priority is economics

Beijing’s refusal to pick sides between Iran and other Gulf states affirms its strategic positioning rather than a desire to shift paradigms.

24 Mar 2026 - 9:30AMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

UK rushes air defence systems to Gulf to help counter Iran attacks

The UK is sending air defence missiles and an anti-drone system, as HMS Dragon takes up position to defend Cyprus.

24 Mar 2026 - 8:59AMvideocam

Crew members board the HMS Dragon in Portsmouth Harbour on March 4. The British warship has arrived in the eastern Mediterranean to defend Cyprus. Photo: Reuters

Hong Kong society

Hong Kong raises Iran, Israel travel alerts to black, expands amber warning

Amber travel alert expanded to include Bahrain, Jordan, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

23 Mar 2026 - 10:49PM

US, Israel war on Iran

Satellite images reveal damage of the widening Middle East war

Here’s a look at what’s visible in a selection of pictures throughout the region.

18 Mar 2026 - 3:55PM

China-Middle East relations

Can China stay friendly with Gulf states and Iran as fighting escalates?

Iranian strikes on neighbouring states in response to US and Israeli attacks highlight how difficult Beijing’s balancing act has become.

18 Mar 2026 - 12:00PMvideocam

Smoke rises near Dubai airport from a fire caused by a “drone-related incident”. Photo: AFP

China trade

Strait of Hormuz marks first full day’s pause as no ships cross amid Iran war

Transits fell to zero on Saturday but vessels have clustered outside corridor, signalling expectations of reopening, analytics firm says.

16 Mar 2026 - 7:02PM

A man walks along the shore as oil tankers and cargo ships line up in the Strait of Hormuz, as seen from Khor Fakkan, the United Arab Emirates, on March 11, 2026. Photo: AP

Middle East

Opinion | How US-Israel war on Iran rocks foundations of the Abraham Accords

For Arab states, the conflict has revealed a paradox: the alliances meant to enhance their security may also have increased their vulnerability.

16 Mar 2026 - 5:30AMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

No longer safe: Iran war puts 9 million Indian workers in the line of fire

As missiles fly, drone strikes from Dubai to Doha are shattering the illusion of safety for millions of Indian expats living in the Gulf.

14 Mar 2026 - 4:00PMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

US claims Strait of Hormuz will not close, Iran’s new supreme leader ‘wounded’

Few details revealed about measures to restore oil flow as reports indicate the US is now sending amphibious assault ship, Marines to region.

14 Mar 2026 - 2:44PMvideocam

Iran

Southeast Asia faces spillover cyber risk from Iran war as ‘blast radius’ widens

Many Asean firms are tied into the global network in the Gulf, Europe and the US, facing the risk of cyberattacks linked to the war.

12 Mar 2026 - 6:06PMvideocam

The Philippines

Marcos ‘angry’ over official’s ‘mistreatment’ of OFWs in Bahrain

A video shows the official shooing away Filipino workers seeking financial help outside the Philippine embassy in Bahrain.

12 Mar 2026 - 2:54PMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

Preparing for the worst? US bunker maker claims big demand in Middle East

Following strikes on regional hubs, Atlas Survival Shelters says demand from Gulf nation clients is at an ‘all-time high’.

12 Mar 2026 - 11:09AM

Shop manager Davis Yarber opens up a survival shelter door at the Atlas Survival Shelters factory. Photo: AFP

US, Israel war on Iran

UN Security Council demands Iran halt attacks on Gulf states

The resolution did not mention US or Israeli strikes, prompting Tehran’s ambassador to decry ‘blatant misuse’ of the international body.

12 Mar 2026 - 7:03AMvideocam

Mourners wave Iranian flags during the funeral procession for senior military officials and civilians killed during the US-Israel campaign in Tehran on Wednesday. Photo: AP

Middle East

Opinion | Data centres are a symbol of the Gulf’s economic future and weakness

AI data centres, financial hubs and tourism are not peripheral to the Gulf’s growth; they are central to both opportunity and vulnerability.

12 Mar 2026 - 12:57AMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

Casualty figures across the Middle East as Iran war enters second week

Since the launch of ‘Operation Epic Fury’, casualties have mounted across the region, with civilians in Iran and Lebanon bearing the brunt.

10 Mar 2026 - 1:11PM

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

Flames and smoke rise from an oil storage facility struck in Tehran on Saturday. Photo: ISNA via AP

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

Fuel pump nozzles are seen at a petrol station in Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia. Photo: AFP

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

US, Israel war on Iran

Iran strikes on desalination plants threaten Arab states’ water supplies

In Kuwait, about 90 per cent of drinking water comes from desalination, along with roughly 86 per cent in Oman and about 70 per cent in Saudi Arabia.

9 Mar 2026 - 10:22AMvideocam

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Bahrain

China, Europe and why Beijing took a swing at Iran over the Strait of Hormuz

Beijing takes a stand at the United Nations at the closure of shipping lanes.

Trump’s ex-China mineral-alliance plan faces cost surge amid Iran war oil shock

After early anger, Gulf allies press Trump for final blow to Iran

Iran’s Islamic republic will ‘collapse internally’, says Netanyahu

Gulf allies of the US, led by Saudi Arabia and the UAE, are meanwhile urging Trump to continue prosecuting the war against Iran.

Will Iran’s strikes on Gulf smelters strengthen China’s aluminium dominance?

Analysts say disruption at plants could shift more output to China, which already produces more than half of global supply.

Japan’s PM will mull top-level talks with Iran at ‘appropriate’ time

Stability in the Middle East is vital for Japan, which relies on the region for over 90 per cent of its crude oil imports.

Iran targets Bahrain aluminium, 2 injured amid Hormuz closure

Most Gulf aluminium producers, which account for about 9 per cent of global supply, have been unable to ship due to Tehran’s effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

Spy, steal and frighten: Iran-linked hackers open digital front in war

Spyware-laden shelter alerts, hacked hospitals and supply chain breaches highlight modern warfare’s digital shift.

Iran targets Israel and Gulf states after denying Trump claim of talks

There’s no sign of reduced fighting after the US president claimed there was dialogue in the Iran war.

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}Opinion | When it comes to the Persian Gulf, China’s top priority is economics

Beijing’s refusal to pick sides between Iran and other Gulf states affirms its strategic positioning rather than a desire to shift paradigms.

UK rushes air defence systems to Gulf to help counter Iran attacks

The UK is sending air defence missiles and an anti-drone system, as HMS Dragon takes up position to defend Cyprus.

Hong Kong raises Iran, Israel travel alerts to black, expands amber warning

Amber travel alert expanded to include Bahrain, Jordan, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

Satellite images reveal damage of the widening Middle East war

Here’s a look at what’s visible in a selection of pictures throughout the region.

Can China stay friendly with Gulf states and Iran as fighting escalates?

Iranian strikes on neighbouring states in response to US and Israeli attacks highlight how difficult Beijing’s balancing act has become.

Strait of Hormuz marks first full day’s pause as no ships cross amid Iran war

Transits fell to zero on Saturday but vessels have clustered outside corridor, signalling expectations of reopening, analytics firm says.

Opinion | How US-Israel war on Iran rocks foundations of the Abraham Accords

For Arab states, the conflict has revealed a paradox: the alliances meant to enhance their security may also have increased their vulnerability.

No longer safe: Iran war puts 9 million Indian workers in the line of fire

As missiles fly, drone strikes from Dubai to Doha are shattering the illusion of safety for millions of Indian expats living in the Gulf.

US claims Strait of Hormuz will not close, Iran’s new supreme leader ‘wounded’

Few details revealed about measures to restore oil flow as reports indicate the US is now sending amphibious assault ship, Marines to region.

Southeast Asia faces spillover cyber risk from Iran war as ‘blast radius’ widens

Many Asean firms are tied into the global network in the Gulf, Europe and the US, facing the risk of cyberattacks linked to the war.

Marcos ‘angry’ over official’s ‘mistreatment’ of OFWs in Bahrain

A video shows the official shooing away Filipino workers seeking financial help outside the Philippine embassy in Bahrain.

Preparing for the worst? US bunker maker claims big demand in Middle East

Following strikes on regional hubs, Atlas Survival Shelters says demand from Gulf nation clients is at an ‘all-time high’.

UN Security Council demands Iran halt attacks on Gulf states

The resolution did not mention US or Israeli strikes, prompting Tehran’s ambassador to decry ‘blatant misuse’ of the international body.

Opinion | Data centres are a symbol of the Gulf’s economic future and weakness

AI data centres, financial hubs and tourism are not peripheral to the Gulf’s growth; they are central to both opportunity and vulnerability.

Casualty figures across the Middle East as Iran war enters second week

Since the launch of ‘Operation Epic Fury’, casualties have mounted across the region, with civilians in Iran and Lebanon bearing the brunt.

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.

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.

Iran strikes on desalination plants threaten Arab states’ water supplies

In Kuwait, about 90 per cent of drinking water comes from desalination, along with roughly 86 per cent in Oman and about 70 per cent in Saudi Arabia.

Opinion | When it comes to the Persian Gulf, China’s top priority is economics