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Iran
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Iran

Iran
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
Illustration: Henry Wong
China's military weapons

Will new Saudi-Pakistan defence pact give Chinese arms risk-free exposure?

Islamabad’s elevated stature in Middle East security could make it ‘the operational face of Chinese defence systems’ via regional deployment.

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China-Middle East relations

Iran’s top diplomat Abbas Araghchi to visit China days ahead of Donald Trump

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War and conflict

As I see it | Thanks to Trump and Netanyahu, everyone now wants to go nuclear

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Hong Kong property

Hong Kong home sales surge to 2-year high, boosting overall transactions

A total of 8,692 transactions in all sectors were concluded last month, up 12.3 per cent from March’s 7,737 deals.

An aerial view of housing in Tseung Kwan O, February 12, 2026. Photo: Sam Tsang
Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong posts strongest quarterly economic growth in almost 5 years at 5.9%

Robust exports and resilient domestic consumer spending drive growth despite Middle East tensions and rising energy costs.

China-Japan relations

Takaichi signs Australia deals to boost Japan’s energy security

Japan’s prime minister penned agreements with her Australian counterpart as the two nations seek to pare reliance on Chinese rare earths and safeguard energy supplies amid the war in Iran.

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South Korea

South Korea rebuffs Trump’s ‘Project Freedom’ call after Hormuz ship fire

A UN mandate and a global coalition are required before Seoul joins Trump’s mission to reopen the strait, officials indicate.

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South Koreans protest in Seoul last month against an earlier request by US President Donald Trump to dispatch warships to the Strait of Hormuz. Photo: AFP
SCMP Highlights

Filipino contestant’s viral swimsuit moment, UAE’s Opec exit: 7 Asia highlights

From Malaysian Indians frustrating scammers to Japan sharing warship design, here are a few highlights from SCMP’s recent Asia reporting.

US, Israel war on Iran

US’ Bessent urges China to help open Strait of Hormuz

Treasury chief says Beijing’s energy buys fund ‘top sponsor of terrorism’, calls for action as US asserts ‘absolute control’ over waterway.

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2026 Trump-Xi summit

Iran war could give Xi the upper hand in meeting with Trump: US experts

The conflict is likely to give Beijing an edge in discussions on hi-tech supply chains and Taiwan, analysts argue.

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US President Donald Trump might ask his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping to “twist some arms” in Tehran, according to one US analyst. Photo: AP
South Korea

Seoul says ‘explosion and fire’ on South Korean ship in Hormuz strait

The vessel is a cargo ship of almost 180 metres (590 feet) sailing under the flag of Panama.

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Cargo ships at sea near the Strait of Hormuz, as viewed from a rocky shoreline near Khor Fakkan, United Arab Emirates. Photo: AP
Diplomacy

Strait of Hormuz woes, US-Nato ‘crisis’: 7 global relations reads

From a possible Trump-Iran joint venture to Russia-China talks, here are highlights from the SCMP’s overseas correspondents in April 2026.

United States

Wall Street hesitates, oil prices rise amid uncertainty in Strait of Hormuz

Despite all the uncertainty about how long the war with Iran will last, the US stock market has managed to power to record after record.

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Hong Kong property

Hong Kong residential property upturn drives recovery in office, retail sectors

Shop rents will ‘turn positive by year-end’ but likely post a 3 per cent decline for the entire year, Morgan Stanley says.

A view of Admiralty and Central is seen through the glass windows of the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wan Chai, April 14, 2026. Photo: Jelly Tse
US-China relations

China says to ignore US sanctions even as Trump visit nears

Beijing issued an unprecedented order to ignore US sanctions just ahead of presidential summit in Beijing.

Hengli Group’s petrochemical industrial park on Changxing Island in Dalian, northeast China. Photo: Xinhua
Singapore

Singapore, New Zealand ink world first deal to secure essential supplies

Both governments committed not to impose unnecessary export restrictions on crucial goods such as food, fuel and healthcare products.

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Gold in Hong Kong

Gold rush: Hong Kong bullion imports from Dubai jump amid US-Iran war

Gold traders from the Middle East and Russia have been selling physical gold in Hong Kong at a discount of 15 to 20 per cent since early April.

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SCMP Highlights

Cheaper durians for China, Hong Kong helpers camp in tents: 5 weekend reads

From freight routes bypassing Hormuz to Hong Kong helpers in tents on days off, here are five stories you may have missed over the weekend.

A shopper browses a mound of durians at a market in Hong Kong. Photo: Eugene Lee
US, Israel war on Iran

Glimmer of hope in Hormuz Strait, fragile ceasefire holds: what happened overnight

US President Donald Trump has offered some help to commercial shipping and competing plans for peace are said to be on the table.

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Hong Kong economy

Exclusive | Why CY Leung thinks Hong Kong needs to strengthen maritime-related sectors

Former city leader sits down for wide-ranging interview and calls for city to develop shipping insurance and management capabilities.

Germany

German chancellor plays down row with Trump in fallout from US troop withdrawal

Friedrich Merz denies his criticism of the Iran war triggered Trump to announce drawdown of 5,000 soldiers.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and US President Donald Trump in the Oval Office on March 3. Photo: Reuters
Italy

Rubio to visit Rome, meet Pope Leo who has clashed with Trump

US secretary of state also seeks a meeting with Italy’s Meloni, whom Trump has also turned against.

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Pope Leo has emerged as an outspoken critic of the US-Israeli led war with Iran, among other issues. Photo: TNS
US, Israel war on Iran

Trump says US will ‘guide’ ships out of Hormuz, as vessels attacked

US to launch new mission dubbed ‘Project Freedom’ as Tehran signals interference would be seen as a ceasefire violation.

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US-China relations

The US sanctioned Chinese oil refineries. Now China is really pushing back

Beijing has wheeled out its ‘Blocking Rules’ for the first time, ordering non-compliance with the American action.

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China food security

China’s farmers face dual threats from El Nino and Iran war, analysts say

They warn that country’s fragmented farms are less resilient to natural disasters than bigger, more mechanised operations.

Farmers in Hebi, Henan province, water newly sown corn in June 2024 after an El Nino event that lasted around a year. Photo: Costfoto/NurPhoto via Getty Images
China-Middle East relations

How 2 Iranian brothers in China use ancient music as a bridge through wartime

Amid deep geopolitical uncertainty, the Beijing workshop of Majid and Massoud Shamaeezadah preserves and shares Persian culture.

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Majid and Massoud Shamaeezadah (standing) hold a concert at their music workshop in Beijing. Photo: Laura Zhou
2026 Trump-Xi summit

Are US Air Force C-17s flying cars into Beijing for Trump’s China trip?

American military cargo planes have been spotted at the Chinese capital’s main airport, suggesting that the high-stakes visit is still on.

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US-China relations

Letters | China’s stance on Iran war has strengthened its global position

Readers discuss how the world perceives China, and the work to be done to prevent rape.

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