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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

A news camera is seen outside the White House on Wednesday. Photo: AFP/TNS

Donald Trump

US TV networks back at White House, as Trump hails ‘fair’ coverage of Xi visit

The US president had earlier barred CNN, MS Now and Politico from the grounds, prompting other outlets to halt coverage in solidarity.

3 minutes agovideocam

Hong Kong society

HK Electric to cut fuel charge for first time in 4 months as CLP raises rate

25 Sep 2026 - 8:50PM

2026 Xi-Trump summits

How China’s wartime cooperatives gave us ‘gung-ho’

25 Sep 2026 - 6:42PM

Middle East

France to protect key Saudi oil terminal as Houthis step up missile attacks

Macron pledges troops and radar systems to defend Red Sea energy hub at Yanbu following aerial barrage.

25 Sep 2026 - 3:38PM

A digital billboard shows a missile as Houthi supporters stage a protest against Saudi Arabia in Sanaa, Yemen. Photo: EPA

Israel-Iran conflict

UK foreign secretary warns Iran against hostile activity on British soil

Ed Miliband presses Tehran over domestic security and demands release of couple held in Evin prison.

25 Sep 2026 - 11:52AM

Middle East

Netanyahu blasts critics at UN, dismissing Gaza genocide accusations

Israeli prime minister denounces walkout delegates as ‘moral cowards’ during a fiery address defending the war against Iran.

25 Sep 2026 - 2:18PM

2026 Xi-Trump summits

Xi-Trump summit ends with modest deals, promises of more meetings

The two leaders extend their trade truce and signal progress on tariffs while striking a warmer tone on AI, security and bilateral ties.

1 hour agovideocam

From left: Peng Liyuan, Chinese President Xi Jinping, US President Donald Trump and Melania Trump arrive at the National Archives Museum in Washington on Friday. Photo: Reuters

Mainland China

China’s sulphur imports dive 65% as prices surge 3.5 times

Country pays more for less of the key fertiliser ingredient, potentially pressuring the spring planting season, analyst says.

24 Sep 2026 - 10:00PM

US, Israel war on Iran

Gulf nations keep oil flowing amid Iran war, but it’s getting costly

Despite the Strait of Hormuz blockade and other attacks, oil exporters and the US military have found workarounds, but they may not be sustainable.

24 Sep 2026 - 7:40PM

South Korea

Can South Korea solve the US military’s ammunition shortage?

Depleted stockpiles from the Middle East and Ukraine wars are spurring South Korean arms makers to build US production hubs.

24 Sep 2026 - 8:00AM

South Korean K9 Thunder 155mm howitzers during a live-fire drill in Pocheon. South Korea’s leading defence company Hanwha Aerospace has announced a US$2.2 billion investment to make 155mm shells in the US. Photo: AFP

2026 Xi-Trump summits

Xi lands in US for high-stakes summit with Trump amid deep tensions

Chinese leader begins 48-hour visit as Trump seeks progress on AI, Iran, rare earths and trade, with expectations for deals low.

24 Sep 2026 - 8:21AM

US President Donald Trump (right) greets Chinese President Xi Jinping as he arrives at Joint Base Andrews on Wednesday. Photo: Reuters

US, Israel war on Iran

Indian sailor killed in attack on vessel in Hormuz: India and Oman authorities

A strike on the cargo ship Cape Dao led to a fire in the engine room, and 27 crew members had to be evacuated by the Omani navy.

24 Sep 2026 - 3:20AM

2026 Xi-Trump summits

Rubio defends Xi’s US visit as essential despite deep disagreements

US secretary of state says Taiwan arms sales must be weighed against America’s military needs and voices hope Vladimir Putin will attend G20.

24 Sep 2026 - 5:42AMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

Iran’s president accuses Trump of ‘bullying mentality’ in wartime speech to UN

Masoud Pezeshkian rejects US threats while signalling readiness for diplomatic talks to end conflict.

24 Sep 2026 - 1:58PM

Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian giving his address in New York. Photo: Reuters

Banking & finance

US$365 trillion and counting: the world’s total debt hits record high, IIF finds

Debt climbs US$10 trillion in six months as fiscal strains deepen, exposing cracks in household and corporate balance sheets.

23 Sep 2026 - 11:00PM

The US Capitol building is seen following rain showers. The US federal government’s debt alone accounts for more than 10 per cent of all the debt in the world, spanning government, household, financial and non-financial corporate sectors in more than 100 economies, according to the Institute of International Finance. Photo: AFP

2026 Xi-Trump summits

China hawks grumble over Trump’s lavish welcome planned for Xi state visit

Chorus of disapproval rises ahead of the Chinese leader’s arrival, even as others say the welcome is the show, not the deal.

23 Sep 2026 - 7:00PMvideocam

China stock market

AI trade rallies on falling oil and Meta’s Muse agent ahead of Xi-Trump meeting

Nasdaq-100 hits record high while chip stocks in China and South Korea rebound, with investors betting that AI earnings can weather higher interest rates.

23 Sep 2026 - 2:24PM

Taiwan

As I see it | Taiwan might as well give up now

If Washington can’t or won’t defend the island, Taipei has no choice but to settle with Beijing.

23 Sep 2026 - 9:30AMvideocam

A mannequin points a model gun from inside a bunker past Shihyu, towards the skyline of Xiamen, a coastal city in mainland China, in Lieyu, Kinmen, Taiwan, in 2021. Photo: Reuters

US, Israel war on Iran

Gulf tech firms turn to Hong Kong and Singapore as Iran war grinds on

Analysts point to growing adoption of a ‘dual-hub’ model, using secondary Asian bases to hedge against geopolitical risk.

23 Sep 2026 - 8:00AMvideocam

2026 Xi-Trump summits

In Focus | Can Xi and Trump use their leverage to actually make progress?

Analysts agree that keeping ties stable will be a priority when the leaders meet, and artificial intelligence could be an area for cooperation.

23 Sep 2026 - 9:07AMvideocam

United States

Trump criticises UK’s Chagos deal, says new British PM Burnham will reconsider

The US president says ties with Britain are better, as he met the prime minister for the first time.

23 Sep 2026 - 2:36AM

Britain’s Prime Minister Andy Burnham (left) shakes hands with US President Donald Trump in New York on Tuesday. Photo: AP

US, Israel war on Iran

‘To the victor belong the spoils’: Trump touts ‘America is back’ agenda at UN

US president casts domestic policies as a global success while addressing conflicts, China and the prospect of renewed Iran talks.

23 Sep 2026 - 1:43AMvideocam

US President Donald Trump addresses the UN General Assembly in New York on Tuesday. Photo: Getty Images/AFP

UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles)

Eyeing Ukraine, China’s military doctors voice progress on drone-caused injuries

Head, face and neck injuries are becoming a big problem in armed conflicts dominated by uncrewed aerial vehicles.

22 Sep 2026 - 11:00PMvideocam

China food security

Weathering the storm: can China’s grain reserves defend against El Nino?

As climate shocks and supply chain disruptions push global food prices higher, Beijing believes it has the tools to fend off rising risks.

22 Sep 2026 - 6:30PM

China-Germany relations

China seeks German help to stave off EU trade sanctions before Xi-Trump summit

Phone call between Wang Yi and Johann Wadephul underlines Beijing’s push to protect European partnerships alongside US relations.

22 Sep 2026 - 4:02PMvideocam

Wang Yi calls on Berlin to “maintain a rational and pragmatic approach” and play a positive role within the EU in “promoting the upholding of free trade and rejecting protectionism”, according to the foreign ministry. Photo: Reuters

2026 Xi-Trump summits

Top US Democrat warns Trump not to waver on Taiwan as Xi heads to Washington

Jeanne Shaheen also said new law allowing tariffs on buyers of Russian oil ‘sends Beijing a message’ before this week’s summit in Washington.

22 Sep 2026 - 5:58AMvideocam

US Senator Jeanne Shaheen says she hopes US President Donald Trump “will not say anything that indicates a lack of support for Taiwan” during his talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Photo: Scanpix via AP

Britain

Burnham to meet Trump, make UN debut after offering UK support for Saudis

British prime minister targets Middle East stability and AI governance on New York trip.

22 Sep 2026 - 12:24PM

Donald Trump

Trump approval hits career low as living costs bite, new poll shows

Just 17 per cent of Americans endorse the president’s handling of inflation ahead of midterm elections.

22 Sep 2026 - 1:39PM

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Iran

US TV networks back at White House, as Trump hails ‘fair’ coverage of Xi visit

The US president had earlier barred CNN, MS Now and Politico from the grounds, prompting other outlets to halt coverage in solidarity.

HK Electric to cut fuel charge for first time in 4 months as CLP raises rate

How China’s wartime cooperatives gave us ‘gung-ho’

France to protect key Saudi oil terminal as Houthis step up missile attacks

Macron pledges troops and radar systems to defend Red Sea energy hub at Yanbu following aerial barrage.

UK foreign secretary warns Iran against hostile activity on British soil

Ed Miliband presses Tehran over domestic security and demands release of couple held in Evin prison.

Netanyahu blasts critics at UN, dismissing Gaza genocide accusations

Israeli prime minister denounces walkout delegates as ‘moral cowards’ during a fiery address defending the war against Iran.

Xi-Trump summit ends with modest deals, promises of more meetings

The two leaders extend their trade truce and signal progress on tariffs while striking a warmer tone on AI, security and bilateral ties.

China’s sulphur imports dive 65% as prices surge 3.5 times

Country pays more for less of the key fertiliser ingredient, potentially pressuring the spring planting season, analyst says.

Gulf nations keep oil flowing amid Iran war, but it’s getting costly

Despite the Strait of Hormuz blockade and other attacks, oil exporters and the US military have found workarounds, but they may not be sustainable.

Can South Korea solve the US military’s ammunition shortage?

Depleted stockpiles from the Middle East and Ukraine wars are spurring South Korean arms makers to build US production hubs.

Xi lands in US for high-stakes summit with Trump amid deep tensions

Chinese leader begins 48-hour visit as Trump seeks progress on AI, Iran, rare earths and trade, with expectations for deals low.

Indian sailor killed in attack on vessel in Hormuz: India and Oman authorities

A strike on the cargo ship Cape Dao led to a fire in the engine room, and 27 crew members had to be evacuated by the Omani navy.

Rubio defends Xi’s US visit as essential despite deep disagreements

US secretary of state says Taiwan arms sales must be weighed against America’s military needs and voices hope Vladimir Putin will attend G20.

Iran’s president accuses Trump of ‘bullying mentality’ in wartime speech to UN

Masoud Pezeshkian rejects US threats while signalling readiness for diplomatic talks to end conflict.

US$365 trillion and counting: the world’s total debt hits record high, IIF finds

Debt climbs US$10 trillion in six months as fiscal strains deepen, exposing cracks in household and corporate balance sheets.

China hawks grumble over Trump’s lavish welcome planned for Xi state visit

Chorus of disapproval rises ahead of the Chinese leader’s arrival, even as others say the welcome is the show, not the deal.

AI trade rallies on falling oil and Meta’s Muse agent ahead of Xi-Trump meeting

Nasdaq-100 hits record high while chip stocks in China and South Korea rebound, with investors betting that AI earnings can weather higher interest rates.

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}As I see it | Taiwan might as well give up now

If Washington can’t or won’t defend the island, Taipei has no choice but to settle with Beijing.

Gulf tech firms turn to Hong Kong and Singapore as Iran war grinds on

Analysts point to growing adoption of a ‘dual-hub’ model, using secondary Asian bases to hedge against geopolitical risk.

.css-1f6sr3w{color:#727272;}In Focus | Can Xi and Trump use their leverage to actually make progress?

Analysts agree that keeping ties stable will be a priority when the leaders meet, and artificial intelligence could be an area for cooperation.

Trump criticises UK’s Chagos deal, says new British PM Burnham will reconsider

The US president says ties with Britain are better, as he met the prime minister for the first time.

‘To the victor belong the spoils’: Trump touts ‘America is back’ agenda at UN

US president casts domestic policies as a global success while addressing conflicts, China and the prospect of renewed Iran talks.

Eyeing Ukraine, China’s military doctors voice progress on drone-caused injuries

Head, face and neck injuries are becoming a big problem in armed conflicts dominated by uncrewed aerial vehicles.

Weathering the storm: can China’s grain reserves defend against El Nino?

As climate shocks and supply chain disruptions push global food prices higher, Beijing believes it has the tools to fend off rising risks.

China seeks German help to stave off EU trade sanctions before Xi-Trump summit

Phone call between Wang Yi and Johann Wadephul underlines Beijing’s push to protect European partnerships alongside US relations.

Top US Democrat warns Trump not to waver on Taiwan as Xi heads to Washington

Jeanne Shaheen also said new law allowing tariffs on buyers of Russian oil ‘sends Beijing a message’ before this week’s summit in Washington.

Burnham to meet Trump, make UN debut after offering UK support for Saudis

British prime minister targets Middle East stability and AI governance on New York trip.

Trump approval hits career low as living costs bite, new poll shows

Just 17 per cent of Americans endorse the president’s handling of inflation ahead of midterm elections.

As I see it | Taiwan might as well give up now

In Focus | Can Xi and Trump use their leverage to actually make progress?