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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

United States

Breaking | ‘Blown to hell’: Trump announces US blockade of Strait of Hormuz

The US plans to interdict ships and clear mines, warning of military retaliation and raising fears of major escalation.

1 minute ago

Central Asia

Opinion | Why China is looking to Central Asia as Middle East grows riskier

41 minutes agovideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

Trump faces a dilemma in the aftermath of failed US-Iran peace talks: analysts

1 hour agovideocam

US-China relations

‘You cannot lose if you do not have a goal’: the viral wisdom of ‘Don Tzu’

Ancient strategist Sun Tzu called for preparation and deep knowledge. His modern counterpart takes a different approach.

2 hours agovideocam

The character and the quotes jokingly attributed to “Don Tsu” have gone viral online, satirising the US president’s apparently unclear objectives in the conflict with Iran. Photo: Reuters

Israel-Iran conflict

Video | US-Iran talks end with no agreement

US vice-president JD Vance said Iranians failed to give assurance it will not pursue nuclear weapons, Iran calls demands ‘excessive’.

12 Apr 2026 - 12:47PM

Taiwan

Does Iran’s wartime resilience offer any lessons for Taiwan?

The recent conflict has raised questions about whether the island could keep fighting if its air defences were targeted by the PLA.

12 Apr 2026 - 12:00PMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

Pope Leo slams ‘delusion of omnipotence’ stoking US-Israeli war on Iran

The pontiff urged prayer and peace talks, rejecting religious justifications for violence.

12 Apr 2026 - 11:25AMvideocam

Pope Leo chairs the Holy Rosary Prayer Vigil for Peace in St Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City on Saturday. Photo: EPA

US, Israel war on Iran

‘We have no trust in the other side’: Iran blames US as talks end with no deal

Tehran’s lead negotiator hits out at Washington after Islamabad talks, while Vance says sticking point was lack of nuclear commitments.

1 hour agovideocam

108

Thailand

Thais celebrate new year despite fuel price shocks delaying travel

Thailand is gearing up for its biggest annual holiday, Songkran, as soaring fuel prices drive up costs for Thais travelling for the celebrations.

11 Apr 2026 - 6:46PMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

Trump critique pauses UK handover of Chagos Islands to Mauritius

The Labour government will not include legislation supporting the handover in its parliamentary agenda without support from Washington.

11 Apr 2026 - 5:11PM

President Donald Trump conducts a news conference in the White House briefing room about the war in Iran, in Washington, US on Monday. Photo: TNS

Banking & finance

Macroscope | Can World Bank and IMF leaders rescue a global economy on the brink?

By attacking Iran, the US has put the global economic order in jeopardy.

11 Apr 2026 - 4:30PM

US, Israel war on Iran

How the Gulf conflict recast risks for Asian investors in Dubai

Asian firms that use Dubai as a launch pad into the Middle East are weighing new threats to liquidity, logistics and confidence.

11 Apr 2026 - 3:22PMvideocam

United Nations

Global wealth gap widens as aid to world’s poorest sees record drop

UN warns of ‘extremely perilous’ era for international cooperation with global aid falling by 23 per cent in 2025.

11 Apr 2026 - 1:34PM

China trade

‘Cancelling orders’ in China: Hormuz oil crisis hits transport and manufacturing

Analysts and industry insiders say higher costs are squeezing margins, with some of China’s wary industrial heartland compelled to make day-to-day purchases.

11 Apr 2026 - 1:00PMvideocam

Employees work on an assembly line producing smartphone holders at a plastic-accessories factory in China’s Guangdong province earlier this month. Rising oil prices are driving up production costs for plastic manufacturers. Photo: Reuters

Pakistan

UAE pulls US$3.5 billion from Pakistan after Iran war mediation

As Abu Dhabi signals its displeasure with Islamabad, analysts say other indebted partners will be watching closely.

11 Apr 2026 - 12:18PMvideocam

A shopkeeper displays Iranian flags after the US-Iran ceasefire announcement in Karachi, Pakistan, on Thursday. Photo: EPA

US, Israel war on Iran

US-Iran talks in Islamabad stretch on as Hormuz stand-off fuels duelling claims

US sends destroyers for mine-clearing operations in the Strait of Hormuz as Iran and US hold high-stakes talks in Pakistan.

5 hours ago

Japan

Japan’s Middle East oil habit gets an Iran war reality check

Almost all of Japan’s oil comes from the Middle East. A closed strait turned that dependence into a trap.

11 Apr 2026 - 8:00AMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

US presses Iran as talks gear up in Pakistan under fragile ceasefire

Vice-President J.D. Vance to lead negotiations in Islamabad as Tehran sets preconditions, Trump warns of military action if diplomacy fails.

11 Apr 2026 - 6:20AMvideocam

US Vice-President J.D. Vance before boarding Air Force Two on Friday en route to Pakistan for high-stakes talks with Iran. Photo: Reuters

2026 Trump-Xi summit

High fertiliser prices mean more soybeans for farmers – and greater reliance on China

Analysts question the cost of China deploying ‘fertiliser diplomacy’ and boosting soybean purchases ahead of the Trump-Xi summit.

11 Apr 2026 - 4:55AMvideocam

Singapore

Singapore, Australia vow uninterrupted fuel supply amid global energy shock

Both countries are also working towards a legally binding agreement on economic resilience and essential supplies.

10 Apr 2026 - 8:40PM

France

Macron woos Trump to G7 summit with French palace dinner. Will he bite?

An official said the French leader was ‘begging’ the US president to attend the June meeting.

10 Apr 2026 - 8:35PMvideocam

US President Donald Trump with his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron in 2019. Photo: AP

US, Israel war on Iran

Iran’s Hormuz toll threat lays bare Asia’s energy vulnerability

Analysts warn that charging ships to pass through Hormuz could set a dangerous precedent for other strategic waterways and hit Asia hardest.

10 Apr 2026 - 8:43PMvideocam

Tankers sail in the Gulf, near the Strait of Hormuz, as seen from northern Ras al-Khaimah, near the border with Oman’s Musandam governance, on March 11. Photo: Reuters

Malaysia

‘Their affair’: Anwar on Singapore’s refusal to negotiate over Hormuz

Responding to remarks by the city state’s top diplomat, Anwar said Malaysia balances regional ties with firm stands on global issues.

10 Apr 2026 - 8:39PMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

Iranian duo set to lead US ceasefire talks were once on Israeli hit list

Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf will lead first direct talks since Operation Epic Fury began.

10 Apr 2026 - 10:26PMvideocam

China energy security

Why China’s green energy strategy may shield it from the Iran war oil shock

As war in the Persian Gulf triggers volatility in global oil markets, Beijing sees its energy system as a stabilising force.

10 Apr 2026 - 8:00PMvideocam

Employees work on the production line of solar panels at a workshop of Jiangsu DMEGC New Energy on February 25, 2026, in Sihong county, Suqian city, in China’s Jiangsu province. Photo: VCG via Getty Images

US, Israel war on Iran

‘I’m scared of war starting again’: fear grips Iranians ahead of US talks

Residents of Tehran face Pakistan-hosted talks with scepticism and anger, caught between a repressive regime and Trump’s threats.

10 Apr 2026 - 6:15PMvideocam

Iranians attend a rally to commemorate slain supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s death in Tehran on Thursday. Photo: AFP/Getty Images/TNS

US, Israel war on Iran

US-Iran talks leave Gulf states on edge about the price of peace

The six GCC nations worry that the US will prioritise Tehran’s needs and leave the Gulf monarchies vulnerable to Iranian retaliation.

10 Apr 2026 - 7:01PMvideocam

Israel-Gaza war

Gaza marks 6 months of ceasefire. Does it offer lessons for the Iran war?

A ceasefire has been in place between Israel and Hamas since October 10, but deadly attacks have continued and limited aid is entering.

10 Apr 2026 - 5:14PM

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Iran

.css-19im5qg{color:#c79a00;}Breaking | ‘Blown to hell’: Trump announces US blockade of Strait of Hormuz

The US plans to interdict ships and clear mines, warning of military retaliation and raising fears of major escalation.

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}Opinion | Why China is looking to Central Asia as Middle East grows riskier

Trump faces a dilemma in the aftermath of failed US-Iran peace talks: analysts

‘You cannot lose if you do not have a goal’: the viral wisdom of ‘Don Tzu’

Ancient strategist Sun Tzu called for preparation and deep knowledge. His modern counterpart takes a different approach.

.css-1t72pn8{color:#C79A00;}Video | US-Iran talks end with no agreement

US vice-president JD Vance said Iranians failed to give assurance it will not pursue nuclear weapons, Iran calls demands ‘excessive’.

Does Iran’s wartime resilience offer any lessons for Taiwan?

The recent conflict has raised questions about whether the island could keep fighting if its air defences were targeted by the PLA.

Pope Leo slams ‘delusion of omnipotence’ stoking US-Israeli war on Iran

The pontiff urged prayer and peace talks, rejecting religious justifications for violence.

‘We have no trust in the other side’: Iran blames US as talks end with no deal

Tehran’s lead negotiator hits out at Washington after Islamabad talks, while Vance says sticking point was lack of nuclear commitments.

Thais celebrate new year despite fuel price shocks delaying travel

Thailand is gearing up for its biggest annual holiday, Songkran, as soaring fuel prices drive up costs for Thais travelling for the celebrations.

Trump critique pauses UK handover of Chagos Islands to Mauritius

The Labour government will not include legislation supporting the handover in its parliamentary agenda without support from Washington.

Macroscope | Can World Bank and IMF leaders rescue a global economy on the brink?

By attacking Iran, the US has put the global economic order in jeopardy.

How the Gulf conflict recast risks for Asian investors in Dubai

Asian firms that use Dubai as a launch pad into the Middle East are weighing new threats to liquidity, logistics and confidence.

Global wealth gap widens as aid to world’s poorest sees record drop

UN warns of ‘extremely perilous’ era for international cooperation with global aid falling by 23 per cent in 2025.

‘Cancelling orders’ in China: Hormuz oil crisis hits transport and manufacturing

Analysts and industry insiders say higher costs are squeezing margins, with some of China’s wary industrial heartland compelled to make day-to-day purchases.

UAE pulls US$3.5 billion from Pakistan after Iran war mediation

As Abu Dhabi signals its displeasure with Islamabad, analysts say other indebted partners will be watching closely.

US-Iran talks in Islamabad stretch on as Hormuz stand-off fuels duelling claims

US sends destroyers for mine-clearing operations in the Strait of Hormuz as Iran and US hold high-stakes talks in Pakistan.

Japan’s Middle East oil habit gets an Iran war reality check

Almost all of Japan’s oil comes from the Middle East. A closed strait turned that dependence into a trap.

US presses Iran as talks gear up in Pakistan under fragile ceasefire

Vice-President J.D. Vance to lead negotiations in Islamabad as Tehran sets preconditions, Trump warns of military action if diplomacy fails.

High fertiliser prices mean more soybeans for farmers – and greater reliance on China

Analysts question the cost of China deploying ‘fertiliser diplomacy’ and boosting soybean purchases ahead of the Trump-Xi summit.

Singapore, Australia vow uninterrupted fuel supply amid global energy shock

Both countries are also working towards a legally binding agreement on economic resilience and essential supplies.

Macron woos Trump to G7 summit with French palace dinner. Will he bite?

An official said the French leader was ‘begging’ the US president to attend the June meeting.

Iran’s Hormuz toll threat lays bare Asia’s energy vulnerability

Analysts warn that charging ships to pass through Hormuz could set a dangerous precedent for other strategic waterways and hit Asia hardest.

‘Their affair’: Anwar on Singapore’s refusal to negotiate over Hormuz

Responding to remarks by the city state’s top diplomat, Anwar said Malaysia balances regional ties with firm stands on global issues.

Iranian duo set to lead US ceasefire talks were once on Israeli hit list

Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf will lead first direct talks since Operation Epic Fury began.

Why China’s green energy strategy may shield it from the Iran war oil shock

As war in the Persian Gulf triggers volatility in global oil markets, Beijing sees its energy system as a stabilising force.

‘I’m scared of war starting again’: fear grips Iranians ahead of US talks

Residents of Tehran face Pakistan-hosted talks with scepticism and anger, caught between a repressive regime and Trump’s threats.

US-Iran talks leave Gulf states on edge about the price of peace

The six GCC nations worry that the US will prioritise Tehran’s needs and leave the Gulf monarchies vulnerable to Iranian retaliation.

Gaza marks 6 months of ceasefire. Does it offer lessons for the Iran war?

A ceasefire has been in place between Israel and Hamas since October 10, but deadly attacks have continued and limited aid is entering.

Breaking | ‘Blown to hell’: Trump announces US blockade of Strait of Hormuz

Opinion | Why China is looking to Central Asia as Middle East grows riskier

Video | US-Iran talks end with no agreement