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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

India

Why India and Pakistan are courting Afghanistan’s Taliban rulers

Need for a united front, business opportunities and China’s growing footprint among factors for changing calculus in South Asia, analysts say.

1 hour ago

Israel

As Israel-Iran conflict rages, can Russia broker peace between foes?

2 hours agovideocam

China-Middle East relations

China’s Wang Yi decries ‘unacceptable’ Israeli attack on Iran, urges diplomacy

4 hours agovideocam

Ukraine war

Putin wishes Trump happy birthday, says Russia ready for new Ukraine talks

Ukraine’s Zelensky urged the US to ‘shift tone’ in its dialogue with Moscow, saying it was ‘too warm’ and would not help to end the war.

4 hours agovideocam

A Ukrainian rescuer works to extinguish a fire at the site of a drone attack in the Sumy region on June 11. Photo: AFP

China's military weapons

Seoul’s radical drone carrier bids to shape next-gen naval warfare

HCX-23 Plus could position country as potential ‘first mover’ for unmanned, drone-optimised navy assets, expert says.

18 minutes agovideocam

Middle East

Israel and Iran unleash more strikes, deepening Middle East crisis

Israel targets Iran’s Defence Ministry headquarters; Tehran launches deadly missile strikes.

4 hours ago

Middle East

Trump and Putin discuss Israel-Iran tensions: ‘dangerous escalation’

During the 50-minute call, the leaders also spoke about Ukraine talks, while the Russian president congratulated Trump on his 79th birthday.

15 Jun 2025 - 4:59AMvideocam

Iranians attend an anti-Israel rally in Tehran on Saturday. Photo: EPA-EFE

Middle East

As Israel strikes Iran, is regime change the ultimate target?

Netanyahu tells Iranians their ‘day of liberation is near’ as Israeli strikes target Iran’s nuclear sites and military prestige.

14 Jun 2025 - 8:59PMvideocam

South Korea

Lee Jae-myung’s debut at G7 summit shows ‘South Korea is back in the game’

His attendance at the meeting of major powers will be the new president’s first overseas trip since taking office.

14 Jun 2025 - 3:36PMvideocam

China-Middle East relations

Chinese envoy urges Israel to halt ‘risky’ Iran attacks, warns of consequences

China’s UN ambassador calls for end to escalation as Israel’s ‘Operation Rising Lion’ raises concerns about a full-blown war between rivals.

14 Jun 2025 - 8:12PMvideocam

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Israel’s Iron Dome air defense system fires to intercept projectiles over Tel Aviv on Saturday. Photo: AP

Middle East

Damage to Iran nuclear sites from Israel’s strikes appears limited: experts

The destruction of underground facilities at Natanz and Fordow may not be possible without US military support and bunker buster bombs.

14 Jun 2025 - 7:21AMvideocam

A satellite image shows the tunnel complex near the Natanz nuclear facility in Iran in January. Image: Maxar Technologies via Reuters

Middle East

Iran strikes back at Israel, sending Middle East tensions soaring

Tehran’s missile barrage retaliates for Israeli strikes on its nuclear programme and military command.

14 Jun 2025 - 9:33PM

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Middle East

Did Pentagon pizza theory predict Israel’s deadly attack on Iran?

A social media account monitoring food deliveries in the area also noted ‘abnormally low traffic’ at a gay bar near the US military HQ.

14 Jun 2025 - 2:13AMvideocam

SCMP Highlights

EU sidelined by US-China showdown, Moutai’s new reality: SCMP daily highlights

From EU eyeing impact of Washington-Beijing trade talks to austerity trimming profits at China’s top baijiu maker, here’s a round-up from today’s coverage.

13 Jun 2025 - 9:30PM

Moutai, one of China’s most popular liquor brands, is being put in a difficult position by rules limiting extravagant spending by officials. Photo: Getty

Middle East

Trump urges Iran to ‘make a deal, before there is nothing left’

US president warns ‘next planned attacks’ on Iran will be ‘even more brutal’.

13 Jun 2025 - 9:24PMvideocam

US President Donald Trump. Photo: Reuters

Bitcoin

Bitcoin, other cryptocurrencies sink after Israel air strikes on Iran

Over US$1 billion worth of long positions across all cryptocurrencies were liquidated in the past 24 hours, according to Coinglass data.

13 Jun 2025 - 7:21PMvideocam

Israel

Video | Israel strikes Iran in major escalation

13 Jun 2025 - 7:15PM

Middle East

Israel’s attacks risk pushing Iran towards nuclear weapon development

The attacks against Iran’s nuclear facilities and the killings of its top military leaders have put Tehran in a strategic bind, analysts say.

13 Jun 2025 - 7:20PMvideocam

Buildings damaged during Israel’s “pre-emptive” strikes in Tehran, Iran. Photo: Xinhua

Middle East

After years of warnings, Netanyahu makes his move on Iran

Citing lessons from the Holocaust, Israel’s prime minister authorises a military operation to thwart Iran’s nuclear programme.

13 Jun 2025 - 7:32PMvideocam

Middle East

Israeli strikes take out Iranian Supreme leader’s top generals

Among those killed were Armed Forces chief Mohammad Bagheri and Hossein Salami, commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

13 Jun 2025 - 7:32PMvideocam

Commodities

Crypto can’t chip away at gold’s safe-haven shield: gold researcher

Spot gold price surged to US$3,444 after Israel’s strikes on Iran.

13 Jun 2025 - 2:26PMvideocam

Gold bricks are seen displayed in Sheung Wan, Hong Kong. Photo: Edmond So

On Our Radar

Take a magic carpet ride at the Hong Kong Palace Museum

The wonders of imperial carpets and Islamic arts in all their tufted splendour are making their way to Hong Kong.

13 Jun 2025 - 12:28PM

The Shah Sulayman “hunting” carpet, a gift from the Safavids of Iran to the leader of the Republic of Venice in the late 17th century. Photo: courtesy The Museum of Islamic Art, Doha

Hong Kong stock market

Hong Kong stocks fall on rising geopolitical tensions

Israel launches air strikes targeting both nuclear and military sites and officials leading Iran’s nuclear programme.

13 Jun 2025 - 4:43PM

China-Middle East relations

China warns of fallout from Israel’s strikes on Iran, eyes role in easing crisis

Beijing voices ‘grave concern’ over Israel’s attacks, while analysts say future of conflict depends on how the US and China intervene.

13 Jun 2025 - 10:27PMvideocam

Middle East

Israel strikes Iran nuclear and missile sites; Tehran retaliates with drones

Tehran vows ‘severe punishment’ after Israel attacks multiple targets, killing top commanders and nuclear scientists.

13 Jun 2025 - 7:21PMvideocam

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The scene of an explosion at a residential compound in northern Tehran. Photo: AP

Middle East

Nuclear watchdog finds Iran non-compliant for first time in 20 years

Iran says it will create a new uranium enrichment facility, declaring IAEA vote a ‘political resolution’.

12 Jun 2025 - 5:13PM

This satellite photo shows Iran’s Bushehr nuclear facility. Photo: Planet Labs PBC via AP

Middle East

US pulling some personnel from Middle East as Iran tensions rise

Tensions in the region have been rising as US-Iran nuclear talks appear to have hit an impasse.

12 Jun 2025 - 3:11PM

Middle East

Iran warns US bases within reach, as Trump ‘less confident’ over nuclear deal

Iran warns it can target US bases amid stalled nuclear talks, while Trump expresses reduced confidence in a deal as Tehran continues uranium enrichment, defying the US.

11 Jun 2025 - 10:07PM

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