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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

Donald Trump

Trump to skip major annual conservative gathering for first time in decade

US president will miss the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Texas this week due to the Iran conflict, the White House said.

17 minutes ago

US-China relations

Why China’s Iran war strategy is working – and may even be an opportunity

32 minutes agovideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

Iran rejects US ceasefire plan for war in Middle East, issues own demands

4 hours agovideocam

US-China relations

Trump-Xi summit: US announces new dates in May, Beijing silent

Press secretary Karoline Leavitt says Trump will also host Chinese leader in Washington later this year.

31 minutes agovideocam

The long-awaited meeting between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping will take place in Beijing on May 14 and 15, the White House said on Wednesday. Photo: Reuters

The Philippines

Philippines working with US to obtain oil from US-sanctioned nations

This comes after the Southeast Asian nation, which relies heavily on imported fuel, declared a state of national emergency on Tuesday.

25 Mar 2026 - 9:59PMvideocam

CPTPP

Opinion | Pacific trade vitality shows multilateralism is alive and well

With the US in retreat, nations committed to economic integration are moving forward through partnerships like the CPTPP.

25 Mar 2026 - 9:45PM

US, Israel war on Iran

African producers may have energy edge in Iran war, if they can overcome hurdles

Analysts say oil from Africa may be lower-risk alternative, coinciding with a fresh push for infrastructure to supply Europe.

25 Mar 2026 - 7:00PMvideocam

Oil exploration investments across Africa declined after many Western oil majors retreated from long-term fossil investments, according to the African Petroleum Producers Organization. Photo: Reuters

Britain

UK police arrest 2 men over Jewish ambulances arson attack

Arrests came after police said they were investigating an online claim of responsibility by a little-known Islamist group with links to Iran.

25 Mar 2026 - 5:40PM

China trade

China-owned vessel secures rare Strait of Hormuz transit as Iran war grinds on

China’s Cosco Shipping Lines has also reopened Middle East bookings, signalling a tentative return while warning instability may still disrupt services.

25 Mar 2026 - 5:00PMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

China calls for US-Iran talks as war upends Gulf states’ global ties

Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi advocated peace talks in a call with his Iranian counterpart, while Gulf states rethink their international relations.

25 Mar 2026 - 5:00PM

Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka’s refusal to host US warplanes before Iran war risks trade backlash

Trying to keep conflict at arm’s length by distancing itself from the US could bring Sri Lanka’s economy ‘to its knees’, analysts say.

25 Mar 2026 - 5:31PMvideocam

A US F-35C Lightning II prepares to land on the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln on March 3. It is not clear which warplanes the US asked Sri Lanka to host. Photo: US Navy/AFP

Banking & finance

Opinion | Why a global private-credit meltdown would hit China hard

It could leave emerging economies scrambling for financing just as their repayment obligations to Chinese lenders mount.

25 Mar 2026 - 4:30PMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

Iranian military scoffs at US attempts at a ceasefire deal

Military spokesperson dismisses a supposed ‘15-point plan’ while Washington mobilises more troops for the region.

25 Mar 2026 - 4:42PMvideocam

Middle East

Israel’s military to occupy swathe of southern Lebanon amid widening war

Israel plans to hold south Lebanon up to the Litani River, but Hezbollah vows to resist occupation.

25 Mar 2026 - 12:52PM

A plume of smoke rises from the site of an Israeli strike on the eastern outskirts of Tyre, in southern Lebanon on Tuesday. Photo: AFP

SCMP Highlights

China’s 7-day hypersonic design; Andy Lau’s Ming mystery: 7 science highlights

From top mathematician on leaving the US to China’s coal-to-medicine feat, here are some highlights from SCMP’s recent science reporting.

25 Mar 2026 - 12:32PM

Hong Kong actor and singer Andy Lau appears to have shared a name with a Ming dynasty brickmaker. Photo: Getty Images

Hong Kong society

Letters | In Hong Kong’s weight management plan, BMI should be one data point among many

Readers discuss the new Action Plan on Weight Management, a university’s commitment to humanities education, and how Hong Kong should respond to the latest Middle East conflict.

25 Mar 2026 - 11:30AM

Hong Kong stock market

Hong Kong stocks extend rebound on signs of diplomatic path in Iran conflict

Investors cheered progress on peace talks and falling crude prices, helping the Hang Seng Index rise for a second day.

25 Mar 2026 - 5:35PM

Cathay Pacific

Cathay’s European flights could offset Middle East losses, experts say

Hong Kong flag carrier’s decision to extend flight suspensions due to war may have only limited financial impact on overall passenger operations, they say.

25 Mar 2026 - 9:55AM

An aircraft prepares for landing as a smoke plume rises from a fire near Dubai International Airport on March 16. Photo: AFP

US, Israel war on Iran

Iran fires missiles across Middle East after Trump claims progress in talks

Iran says it targeted Israel as well as US bases in the Gulf after a reported 15-point US ceasefire plan emerged.

25 Mar 2026 - 9:20PMvideocam

US-China relations

US unlikely to get China to join new nuclear arms control agreement, experts say

Nuclear superpowers not taking active steps towards meaningful negotiation following the expiry of New Start arms treaty in February.

25 Mar 2026 - 7:25AMvideocam

Art

9 artists to look out for at this year’s Art Basel Hong Kong

From Kazakh warrior sculptures to speculative films by Andrew Thomas Huang and Ayoung Kim, these are the artworks defining this year’s programme.

25 Mar 2026 - 6:00AM

The Deer of Nine Colors by Andrew Thomas Huang. Photo: Handout

Middle East

Opinion | As the Gulf grows riskier, the Arctic is gaining strategic weight

As traditional energy centres become less stable, the Arctic’s resources, shipping routes and infrastructure are growing in importance.

25 Mar 2026 - 11:05AMvideocam

Donald Trump

Trump’s approval in US hits new low as fuel prices surge amid war

Americans’ views on the president sour over costs of living – the very issue that fuelled his 2024 victory – as prices spike.

25 Mar 2026 - 10:29AM

Ukraine war

Russia fires hundreds of drones at Ukraine in deadly massive attack

Swarms of drones rock Ukrainian cities, killing at least six and injuring dozens.

25 Mar 2026 - 11:04AM

US, Israel war on Iran

Trump says Iran gave the US gift ‘worth a tremendous amount of money’

US president claims Tehran offered an ‘oil and gas related’ gift and that it was a sign talks are happening with ‘the right people’.

25 Mar 2026 - 12:49PMvideocam

US President Donald Trump has said he wants joint control of the Strait of Hormuz. Photo: AFP

European Union

EU delays proposal to permanently ban Russian oil imports

The proposal is not cancelled, but would no longer be published by April 15 due to ‘current geopolitical developments’.

24 Mar 2026 - 10:09PMvideocam

The Druzhba oil pipeline between Hungary and Russia at the Hungarian MOL Group’s Danube Refinery in Szazhalombatta, Hungary. Photo: Reuters

Japan

Japan to start release of state oil reserve on Thursday to ease Iran impact

Japan sources nearly all crude oil from overseas and relies on the Middle East for over 90 per cent of its crude oil imports.

24 Mar 2026 - 8:10PMvideocam

China exports

Why DHL is betting on rising Chinese exports – even as war and tariff risks grow

The global logistics giant still sees huge growth potential in the wave of Chinese companies looking to expand overseas.

24 Mar 2026 - 8:00PMvideocam

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Iran

Trump to skip major annual conservative gathering for first time in decade

US president will miss the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Texas this week due to the Iran conflict, the White House said.

Why China’s Iran war strategy is working – and may even be an opportunity

Iran rejects US ceasefire plan for war in Middle East, issues own demands

Trump-Xi summit: US announces new dates in May, Beijing silent

Press secretary Karoline Leavitt says Trump will also host Chinese leader in Washington later this year.

Philippines working with US to obtain oil from US-sanctioned nations

This comes after the Southeast Asian nation, which relies heavily on imported fuel, declared a state of national emergency on Tuesday.

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}Opinion | Pacific trade vitality shows multilateralism is alive and well

With the US in retreat, nations committed to economic integration are moving forward through partnerships like the CPTPP.

African producers may have energy edge in Iran war, if they can overcome hurdles

Analysts say oil from Africa may be lower-risk alternative, coinciding with a fresh push for infrastructure to supply Europe.

UK police arrest 2 men over Jewish ambulances arson attack

Arrests came after police said they were investigating an online claim of responsibility by a little-known Islamist group with links to Iran.

China-owned vessel secures rare Strait of Hormuz transit as Iran war grinds on

China’s Cosco Shipping Lines has also reopened Middle East bookings, signalling a tentative return while warning instability may still disrupt services.

China calls for US-Iran talks as war upends Gulf states’ global ties

Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi advocated peace talks in a call with his Iranian counterpart, while Gulf states rethink their international relations.

Sri Lanka’s refusal to host US warplanes before Iran war risks trade backlash

Trying to keep conflict at arm’s length by distancing itself from the US could bring Sri Lanka’s economy ‘to its knees’, analysts say.

Opinion | Why a global private-credit meltdown would hit China hard

It could leave emerging economies scrambling for financing just as their repayment obligations to Chinese lenders mount.

Iranian military scoffs at US attempts at a ceasefire deal

Military spokesperson dismisses a supposed ‘15-point plan’ while Washington mobilises more troops for the region.

Israel’s military to occupy swathe of southern Lebanon amid widening war

Israel plans to hold south Lebanon up to the Litani River, but Hezbollah vows to resist occupation.

China’s 7-day hypersonic design; Andy Lau’s Ming mystery: 7 science highlights

From top mathematician on leaving the US to China’s coal-to-medicine feat, here are some highlights from SCMP’s recent science reporting.

.css-19im5qg{color:#c79a00;}Letters | In Hong Kong’s weight management plan, BMI should be one data point among many

Readers discuss the new Action Plan on Weight Management, a university’s commitment to humanities education, and how Hong Kong should respond to the latest Middle East conflict.

Hong Kong stocks extend rebound on signs of diplomatic path in Iran conflict

Investors cheered progress on peace talks and falling crude prices, helping the Hang Seng Index rise for a second day.

Cathay’s European flights could offset Middle East losses, experts say

Hong Kong flag carrier’s decision to extend flight suspensions due to war may have only limited financial impact on overall passenger operations, they say.

Iran fires missiles across Middle East after Trump claims progress in talks

Iran says it targeted Israel as well as US bases in the Gulf after a reported 15-point US ceasefire plan emerged.

US unlikely to get China to join new nuclear arms control agreement, experts say

Nuclear superpowers not taking active steps towards meaningful negotiation following the expiry of New Start arms treaty in February.

9 artists to look out for at this year’s Art Basel Hong Kong

From Kazakh warrior sculptures to speculative films by Andrew Thomas Huang and Ayoung Kim, these are the artworks defining this year’s programme.

Opinion | As the Gulf grows riskier, the Arctic is gaining strategic weight

As traditional energy centres become less stable, the Arctic’s resources, shipping routes and infrastructure are growing in importance.

Trump’s approval in US hits new low as fuel prices surge amid war

Americans’ views on the president sour over costs of living – the very issue that fuelled his 2024 victory – as prices spike.

Russia fires hundreds of drones at Ukraine in deadly massive attack

Swarms of drones rock Ukrainian cities, killing at least six and injuring dozens.

Trump says Iran gave the US gift ‘worth a tremendous amount of money’

US president claims Tehran offered an ‘oil and gas related’ gift and that it was a sign talks are happening with ‘the right people’.

EU delays proposal to permanently ban Russian oil imports

The proposal is not cancelled, but would no longer be published by April 15 due to ‘current geopolitical developments’.

Japan to start release of state oil reserve on Thursday to ease Iran impact

Japan sources nearly all crude oil from overseas and relies on the Middle East for over 90 per cent of its crude oil imports.

Why DHL is betting on rising Chinese exports – even as war and tariff risks grow

The global logistics giant still sees huge growth potential in the wave of Chinese companies looking to expand overseas.

Opinion | Pacific trade vitality shows multilateralism is alive and well

Letters | In Hong Kong’s weight management plan, BMI should be one data point among many