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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

An Iranian oil production platform. The US sanctioned nearly two dozen firms on Tuesday for helping to transport Iranian oil to China. Photo: Reuters

US-China relations

US sanctions network of companies it says helped ship Iranian oil to China

The US Treasury says nearly two dozen firms facilitated transport of billions of dollars worth of oil for Iranian military front company.

14 May 2025 - 6:38AM

United States

Trump’s Middle East trip raises doubts about Israel’s ‘ironclad’ standing with US

12 May 2025 - 8:26PM

US-Iran tensions

US and Iran conclude 4th round of nuclear talks in Oman

12 May 2025 - 12:00PM

Middle East

Iranian nuclear enrichment ‘red line’ for US ahead of new talks

Trump has voiced hope for reaching a deal with Tehran to avert an Israeli strike on Iran’s nuclear programme that could ignite a wider war.

10 May 2025 - 8:28PM

US President Donald Trump congratulates his Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff during Witkoff’s swearing-in ceremony in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington on Tuesday. Photo: EPA-EFE

US-China relations

Republican-backed bill to limit Chinese property ownership gains ground in Texas

Measure also targets nationals from Iran, North Korea and Russia as it gives the state’s governor broad powers to include more countries.

10 May 2025 - 6:12AMvideocam

India-Pakistan tensions

India-Pakistan conflict: Iran, Saudi officials urge restraint as tensions surge

Visits underscore growing concerns that conflict could spiral out of control, but analysts say more concerted global efforts needed to defuse tensions.

9 May 2025 - 8:48PMvideocam

Pakistan

India, Pakistan exchange gunfire after missile strikes kill dozens

Islamabad said the military had been authorised to ‘respond in self-defence’ at a ‘time, place and manner of its choosing’.

8 May 2025 - 3:46PMvideocam

Children attend a candlelight vigil in Peshawar, Pakistan, on Wednesday. Photo: EPA-EFE

Middle East

Trump says US to stop Houthi strikes after rebels pledge to end ship attacks

Ceasefire deal between Yemen’s Houthis and the US does not include sparing Israel, the group said.

8 May 2025 - 8:36AM

Middle East

Israel military disables Yemen’s main airport with air strikes

Israeli attack on Sanaa airport was in response to a Houthi missile strike on Israel’s main airport near Tel Aviv.

7 May 2025 - 10:42AM

Donald Trump

Trump wants Turkish leader Erdogan’s help to end Ukraine war

The US president has been pushing Kyiv and Moscow to reach a ceasefire deal.

6 May 2025 - 11:02AM

US President Donald Trump and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in 2019. File photo: White House via dpa

Middle East

Missile from Yemen halts flights in Israel before vote on intensifying Gaza war

Israel’s prime minister vowed a response to Yemen’s Houthis and their Iranian backers for attack on Ben Gurion International Airport.

5 May 2025 - 10:56AM

Israeli security forces inspect where a projectile fired by Yemen’s Houthi rebels landed in the area of Ben Gurion International Airport near Tel Aviv. Photo: AP

Britain

UK police arrest 7 Iranians over alleged terror plot, national security threat

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said investigation is ‘immensely important’ to determine whether arrests were connected to the Iranian state.

5 May 2025 - 7:23AM

Middle East

As nuclear talks stall, Trump threatens sanctions on anyone who buys Iran oil

Such a move could escalate tensions with China – Iran’s leading customer – when ties are already strained over tariffs.

2 May 2025 - 1:15PM

Middle East

Iran hangs man as ‘high ranking’ Israeli spy after trial

Mohsen Langarneshin was implicated in the killing of Guards colonel Sayyad Khodaei, who was gunned down in May 2022.

1 May 2025 - 12:19AMvideocam

Israel

Iran rebuffs Israel’s demand for giving up nuclear programme in US talks

Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Israel’s ‘fantasy that it can dictate what Iran may or may not do is detached from reality’.

28 Apr 2025 - 6:18PMvideocam

People walk next to a mural depicting Iran and the US negotiation table in a street in Tehran on April 26. Photo: EPA-EFE

Middle East

At least 40 killed, 1,000 injured in Iran port explosion

The cause of the blast is not confirmed, but an official blames the poor storage of chemicals at Bandar Abbas.

27 Apr 2025 - 11:59PM

Yemen

Yemen prepares ‘biggest offensive ever’ against Houthi rebels with US support

Yemen is reportedly launching an offensive against Houthi rebels to reclaim key ports and diminish the influence of the Iranian-aligned group.

26 Apr 2025 - 7:30PMvideocam

US-China relations

Unpredictable Trump leaves China struggling to respond to US foreign policy

American leader’s erratic approach to Ukraine and Middle East means challenges for stability-fixated Beijing amid its shifting Moscow ties.

25 Apr 2025 - 1:06AMvideocam

Mainland China

China backs Iran holding nuclear talks with ‘bullying’ US: Wang Yi

Foreign ministers meet in Beijing and decry America’s ‘abuse of tariffs’ ahead of negotiations this week between Washington and Tehran.

24 Apr 2025 - 3:49PMvideocam

US-China relations

‘Stay away’ from Chinese satellite services, US advises allies in leaked memo

State Department talking points suggest foreign governments take steps to exclude China-based providers because of security risks.

22 Apr 2025 - 5:11PMvideocam

United States

Iran, US ‘make some progress’ towards a nuclear deal in Rome

At their second indirect meeting this week, Iranian and US diplomats agreed to experts drawing up a framework for a potential nuclear deal.

19 Apr 2025 - 11:53PM

US President Donald Trump (left) addressing a joint session of Congress on March 4, and Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei attending a ceremony in Tehran on March 8. Photo: AP

US-China trade war

China plans to host UN event to denounce US tariffs and ‘bullying’

The informal meeting is part of Beijing’s drive to rally international support for its efforts to hit back at Donald Trump’s measures.

17 Apr 2025 - 10:41PMvideocam

China has invited all UN members to the informal meeting. Photo: Getty Images

Donald Trump

Trump blocked Israeli strike on Iran’s nuclear sites to avoid military clash

A report said the goal was to set back the Islamic republic’s ability to develop a nuclear weapon by a year or more.

17 Apr 2025 - 11:46AMvideocam

US-China relations

US sanctions China oil refiner, shipping companies for covert business with Iran

Move is second case of US sanctions on Chinese ‘teapot’ refinery in less than a month, and takes place amid Washington’s denuclearisation talks with Iran.

17 Apr 2025 - 4:14AMvideocam

Middle East

Iran ‘not far’ from having nuclear bomb, UN watchdog chief says

International Atomic Energy Agency head Rafael Grossi is in Tehran ahead of a second round of talks between Iran and the US.

17 Apr 2025 - 3:29AM

A uranium enrichment facility is seen in Natanz, south of Tehran, Iran, in March 2006. Photo: Reuters

US-Iran tensions

Iran’s military power non-negotiable in US talks, Revolutionary Guard says

The warning comes as Tehran and Washington are set for another high-level nuclear talks in Oman.

15 Apr 2025 - 7:01PM

Missiles displayed at the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ Aerospace Force Museum in Tehran, Iran. Photo: Reuters

Malaysia

Iran’s meth cartels target Australia via Malaysia’s Port Klang

Experts say crime syndicates from Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan are using Malaysia as a transshipment hub for drugs destined for Australia.

14 Apr 2025 - 8:34AMvideocam

US-Iran tensions

US Pentagon chief says military ready to ensure Iran never gets a nuclear bomb

Pete Hegseth said Trump hoped to avoid military option ‘but if we have to, we will to prevent the nuclear bomb in Iran’s hands’.

14 Apr 2025 - 8:22AMvideocam

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