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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

Israel

Netanyahu casts Turkey as Israel’s new villain amid tough re-election fight

The Israeli PM has escalated tensions with Turkish President Erdogan over Syria in a bid to ‘unify’ his voter base around him.

2 hours ago

China-South Korea relations

China’s top diplomat calls on US to change ‘hostile policy’ on North Korea

3 hours agovideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

‘Economic warfare’: Trump says he’ll punish any country that supports Iran

3 hours agovideocam

United States

Trump says he plans to meet Kim Jong-un this year, citing good relationship

US president says North Korea has 57 ‘very powerful’ nuclear weapons, as Pyongyang denies direct communication between the two leaders.

20 Aug 2026 - 5:24AMvideocam

US President Donald Trump (left) and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un meet at the demilitarised zone in June 2019, the third of their three face-to-face meetings during Trump’s first term. Photo: Getty Images/TNS

US, Israel war on Iran

Iran warns Gulf nations against helping US as UAE halts trade ties

Armed forces chief of staff Ali Abdollahi says ‘any assistance or facilitation provided’ will amount to participation in US military activities.

19 Aug 2026 - 6:35PM

The Philippines

US defence chiefs tour Asia to calm fears as Trump’s drill remarks sow doubts

Visits to Manila, Seoul and Tokyo seek to reassure, even as the Iran war drains assets and White House rhetoric rattles allies.

19 Aug 2026 - 12:00PM

US, Israel war on Iran

Why is Trump threatening to bomb Oman, the mediator trying to clear Hormuz?

Domestic political heat and unhappiness over the sultanate’s negotiations with Tehran are behind the US president’s outburst.

19 Aug 2026 - 10:37AMvideocam

US President Donald Trump speaks to the press at the White House in May. Photo: AFP via Getty Images/TNS

Hong Kong stock market

Hong Kong tech stocks fall as US bond rout, Iran war deadlock dent sentiment

Tech stocks sink as US bonds sell off on supply jitters, while China’s debt market diverges on sluggish data, spurring easing hopes.

19 Aug 2026 - 5:10PM

South Korea

South Korea accelerates military self-reliance over Trump’s ‘unpredictability’

President Lee Jae Myung wants South Korea to regain wartime operational control in his term even as he vows to maintain the US alliance.

19 Aug 2026 - 8:00AM

US, Israel war on Iran

UAE freezes all trade, financial dealings with Iran after missile attack

Tehran rejected Abu Dhabi’s accusation, calling it harmful to regional trust and security efforts.

19 Aug 2026 - 3:31PM

Iranian-made Zolfaghar missiles are displayed at Azadi Square in Tehran on August 2. Photo: AFP

US-China relations

Harvard, MIT among 30 US universities ordered to audit China research ties

Higher education group says Pentagon implied wrongdoing without presenting evidence, as House China committee calls for ‘real consequences’.

19 Aug 2026 - 5:47AMvideocam

Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts, is among 30 US universities ordered to audit their foreign research relationships. Photo: AP

US, Israel war on Iran

Trump posts map with Hormuz as ‘new US territory’, says no Iran talks planned

This is not the first time the US president, faced with a foreign policy obstacle, has threatened to annex foreign territory.

19 Aug 2026 - 4:24AM

China trade

The Polar pivot? China debuts regular Arctic shipping service as Iran war drags on

Operators are fast-tracking northern routes that bypass vulnerable chokepoints in the Middle East.

18 Aug 2026 - 10:48PMvideocam

US-China relations

Wang Yi heads to Seoul as Trump cuts South Korea drills, opening door for China

Experts say US decision causes disquiet among regional partners and hands China a strategic opening to dilute US regional partnerships.

18 Aug 2026 - 10:39PMvideocam

Donald Trump posted a call to “substantially” reduce US-South Korea military drills a day before the allies began their annual Ulchi Freedom Shield exercise. Photo: Handout

US, Israel war on Iran

Iran conflict boosts appeal of Arctic short cut for Asia-Europe ships

The risk of renewed conflict in the Middle East has heightened interest in using a fuel-saving shipping route via the Arctic Ocean.

18 Aug 2026 - 5:12PM

A Sea Legend container ship sets sail on the first trip for a new service via the Arctic. Photo: Handout via AFP

US, Israel war on Iran

‘We’ll die of hunger’: Iran’s fishermen risk all in Hormuz’s shadow of conflict

Fishermen in Bandar Abbas face financial strain as they return to the vital waterway amid fears of new fighting.

18 Aug 2026 - 3:55PMvideocam

Banking & finance

China trims US Treasury holdings amid Iran war, Fed uncertainty

Beijing cuts exposure to US debt to US$633.4 billion, official data shows, amid broader diversification push.

18 Aug 2026 - 2:21PM

South Korea

Trump’s decision to scale back South Korea drills ‘makes no sense’

The decision threatens to undermine the South Koreans and Japanese, unnerve Nato and embolden the Chinese and North Koreans, one expert says.

18 Aug 2026 - 2:06PM

US Army armoured vehicles gather to cross a river at a training field in Yeoncheon, South Korea, on Monday. Photo: AP

United States

US diesel crack surpasses US$100 a barrel for first time on supply disruptions

Supplies are under strain from wars in Iran and Ukraine, and US ⁠threats against Chinese imports of Iranian oil could make matters worse.

18 Aug 2026 - 7:09AMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

Trump lets 60-day deadline for Iran peace deal expire, threatens to ‘bomb’ Oman

US president also announces US to reduce military drills with South Korea; cites ‘good relationship’ with North Korea’s leader Kim Jong-un.

18 Aug 2026 - 6:57AMvideocam

2026 Xi-Trump summits

Exclusive | Claims Hegseth close to exit raise questions over future US-China defence ties

Donald Trump is losing patience with the Pentagon chief because of the stalled Iran war, according to several sources.

18 Aug 2026 - 6:02AMvideocam

Donald Trump

Trump approval rating falls to 33%, lowest of his presidency, poll finds

The poll by Reuters/Ipsos also found that 80 per cent of Americans expect US involvement in Iran to continue for an extended period.

18 Aug 2026 - 4:13AM

US President Donald Trump steps off Air Force One in Las Vegas in 2018. File photo: AFP

US-China relations

Pentagon orders 30 US universities to scrutinise Chinese research ties

Institutions have two weeks to audit foreign collaborations and could be required to terminate partnerships to preserve federal funding.

18 Aug 2026 - 10:14PMvideocam

United States

Trump threatens to bomb Oman if it gets in way of Iran deal

Trump made the threat while speaking to a Fox News reporter, referring to Iran-Oman talks on control of the Strait of Hormuz.

18 Aug 2026 - 3:12AMvideocam

United States

Video | Trump orders Pentagon to scale back military drills with South Korea

US president called the drills costly and said they send a ‘hostile’ message to North Korea.

17 Aug 2026 - 6:46PM

GARDEN CITY, NEW YORK - AUGUST 14: U.S. President Donald Trump arrives to deliver remarks at the David S. Mack Center for Training and Intelligence on August 14, 2026 in Garden City, New York. President Trump visited the police academy to highlight the FBI’s 2025 Crime Statistics Report and rally support for local Republican candidates ahead of the upcoming midterm elections. Samuel Corum/Getty Images/AFP (Photo by Samuel Corum / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)

01:53

US, Israel war on Iran

USS Lincoln leaders making mental health ‘a priority’: US commander

Family members have said the situation has deteriorated so badly that some sailors have tried to throw themselves overboard.

17 Aug 2026 - 9:00AM

A U. sailor washes an EA-18G Growler on the flight deck of the USS Abraham Lincoln on August 9. Photo: US Navy/Reuters

Middle East

Editorial | Saudi Arabia-Turkey-Pakistan pact a sign of a realigning global order

China may view the agreement as an opportunity to expand its own diplomatic and economic influence in the Middle East and South Asia.

17 Aug 2026 - 7:15AM

Donald Trump

US-South Korea joint military exercises start after Trump orders a scale-back

After South Korea declined to help denuclearise Iran, Trump said the exercises are costly and send a ‘hostile’ signal to North Korea.

17 Aug 2026 - 3:10PM

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Iran

Netanyahu casts Turkey as Israel’s new villain amid tough re-election fight

The Israeli PM has escalated tensions with Turkish President Erdogan over Syria in a bid to ‘unify’ his voter base around him.

China’s top diplomat calls on US to change ‘hostile policy’ on North Korea

‘Economic warfare’: Trump says he’ll punish any country that supports Iran

Trump says he plans to meet Kim Jong-un this year, citing good relationship

US president says North Korea has 57 ‘very powerful’ nuclear weapons, as Pyongyang denies direct communication between the two leaders.

Iran warns Gulf nations against helping US as UAE halts trade ties

Armed forces chief of staff Ali Abdollahi says ‘any assistance or facilitation provided’ will amount to participation in US military activities.

US defence chiefs tour Asia to calm fears as Trump’s drill remarks sow doubts

Visits to Manila, Seoul and Tokyo seek to reassure, even as the Iran war drains assets and White House rhetoric rattles allies.

Why is Trump threatening to bomb Oman, the mediator trying to clear Hormuz?

Domestic political heat and unhappiness over the sultanate’s negotiations with Tehran are behind the US president’s outburst.

Hong Kong tech stocks fall as US bond rout, Iran war deadlock dent sentiment

Tech stocks sink as US bonds sell off on supply jitters, while China’s debt market diverges on sluggish data, spurring easing hopes.

South Korea accelerates military self-reliance over Trump’s ‘unpredictability’

President Lee Jae Myung wants South Korea to regain wartime operational control in his term even as he vows to maintain the US alliance.

UAE freezes all trade, financial dealings with Iran after missile attack

Tehran rejected Abu Dhabi’s accusation, calling it harmful to regional trust and security efforts.

Harvard, MIT among 30 US universities ordered to audit China research ties

Higher education group says Pentagon implied wrongdoing without presenting evidence, as House China committee calls for ‘real consequences’.

Trump posts map with Hormuz as ‘new US territory’, says no Iran talks planned

This is not the first time the US president, faced with a foreign policy obstacle, has threatened to annex foreign territory.

The Polar pivot? China debuts regular Arctic shipping service as Iran war drags on

Operators are fast-tracking northern routes that bypass vulnerable chokepoints in the Middle East.

Wang Yi heads to Seoul as Trump cuts South Korea drills, opening door for China

Experts say US decision causes disquiet among regional partners and hands China a strategic opening to dilute US regional partnerships.

Iran conflict boosts appeal of Arctic short cut for Asia-Europe ships

The risk of renewed conflict in the Middle East has heightened interest in using a fuel-saving shipping route via the Arctic Ocean.

‘We’ll die of hunger’: Iran’s fishermen risk all in Hormuz’s shadow of conflict

Fishermen in Bandar Abbas face financial strain as they return to the vital waterway amid fears of new fighting.

China trims US Treasury holdings amid Iran war, Fed uncertainty

Beijing cuts exposure to US debt to US$633.4 billion, official data shows, amid broader diversification push.

Trump’s decision to scale back South Korea drills ‘makes no sense’

The decision threatens to undermine the South Koreans and Japanese, unnerve Nato and embolden the Chinese and North Koreans, one expert says.

US diesel crack surpasses US$100 a barrel for first time on supply disruptions

Supplies are under strain from wars in Iran and Ukraine, and US ⁠threats against Chinese imports of Iranian oil could make matters worse.

Trump lets 60-day deadline for Iran peace deal expire, threatens to ‘bomb’ Oman

US president also announces US to reduce military drills with South Korea; cites ‘good relationship’ with North Korea’s leader Kim Jong-un.

.css-1f6sr3w{color:#727272;}Exclusive | Claims Hegseth close to exit raise questions over future US-China defence ties

Donald Trump is losing patience with the Pentagon chief because of the stalled Iran war, according to several sources.

Trump approval rating falls to 33%, lowest of his presidency, poll finds

The poll by Reuters/Ipsos also found that 80 per cent of Americans expect US involvement in Iran to continue for an extended period.

Pentagon orders 30 US universities to scrutinise Chinese research ties

Institutions have two weeks to audit foreign collaborations and could be required to terminate partnerships to preserve federal funding.

Trump threatens to bomb Oman if it gets in way of Iran deal

Trump made the threat while speaking to a Fox News reporter, referring to Iran-Oman talks on control of the Strait of Hormuz.

Video | Trump orders Pentagon to scale back military drills with South Korea

US president called the drills costly and said they send a ‘hostile’ message to North Korea.

USS Lincoln leaders making mental health ‘a priority’: US commander

Family members have said the situation has deteriorated so badly that some sailors have tried to throw themselves overboard.

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}Editorial | Saudi Arabia-Turkey-Pakistan pact a sign of a realigning global order

China may view the agreement as an opportunity to expand its own diplomatic and economic influence in the Middle East and South Asia.

US-South Korea joint military exercises start after Trump orders a scale-back

After South Korea declined to help denuclearise Iran, Trump said the exercises are costly and send a ‘hostile’ signal to North Korea.

Exclusive | Claims Hegseth close to exit raise questions over future US-China defence ties

Editorial | Saudi Arabia-Turkey-Pakistan pact a sign of a realigning global order