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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

Xi Jinping

Editorial | Xi’s same-day calls with Trump and Putin showcase head-of-state diplomacy

At a time of geopolitical uncertainty, the extraordinary back-to-back conversations with the leaders of Russia and the US highlight Xi’s diplomatic approach.

7 Feb 2026 - 7:15AM

US-Iran tensions

Oman mediates Iran-US nuclear talks amid tensions and Trump’s threats

6 Feb 2026 - 10:42PMvideocam

Donald Trump

Why gold still glitters in Asia despite volatility triggering ‘panic selling’

6 Feb 2026 - 5:07PM

SCMP Highlights

China’s expat pilots; Indonesian woman collapses after 140 lashes: 7 highlights

From a Chinese vessel shadowing US aircraft carrier to Hong Kong graduates’ job outlook, here are highlights from SCMP’s recent reporting.

6 Feb 2026 - 12:37PM

China’s Dayang Yihao has been surveying the Arabian Sea since December 19, according to SeaLight, a Stanford University-affiliated maritime analysis group. Photo: Handout

US-Iran tensions

Ahead of talks, Iran deploys ballistic missile at underground ‘missile city’

Tehran signals offensive readiness as negotiators arrive in Oman for high-stakes talks.

6 Feb 2026 - 10:38AM

US-China relations

What Xi’s calls with Trump and Putin reveal about China’s balancing act

Beijing holds rare same-day talks with Kremlin and White House as powers face headwinds at home, energy uncertainties and nuclear pact’s end.

5 Feb 2026 - 11:58PMvideocam

US-China relations

Xi holds Trump, Putin calls as Iran tensions mount

Iran was among the topics Xi Jinping discussed with his US and Russian counterparts in separate calls on Wednesday ahead of new diplomatic efforts to end the country’s nuclear programme.

6 Feb 2026 - 8:30AM

The USS Abraham Lincoln. (Photo US Navy/AFP)

Pakistan

Pakistan accuses ‘elements supported by India’ of organising Balochistan attacks

The attacks in recent days in the restive province caused the deaths of more than 250 civilians, security personnel and insurgents.

5 Feb 2026 - 6:17PMvideocam

China energy security

China’s cheap oil flows under strain as US ramps up Iran, Venezuela pressure

US restrictions could lead China to turn to higher-priced barrels in other markets, while it continues to reduce its reliance on oil imports.

5 Feb 2026 - 7:55AM

Middle East

Trump says Iran leaders should be ‘very worried’ as talks near

Negotiations will take place in Oman, but there is disagreement over whether Tehran’s missile programme will be discussed.

5 Feb 2026 - 9:58AM

A Shahab-3 missile is displayed next to a portrait of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Tehran in September 2021. Photo: TNS

Middle East

Road to equality? Iran formally allows women to ride motorcycles

In a country where women’s public presence is heavily regulated, the right to operate a vehicle is a powerful indicator of shifting social boundaries.

4 Feb 2026 - 8:26PMvideocam

Maryam Talaie helps actress Katayun Riyahi during Iran’s first official women’s motorcycle training near Tehran in 2018. As of Wednesday, women in the country can officially get motorcycle licenses. Photo: EPA-EFE

Malaysia

Malaysian waters see return of oil transfer by ‘dark fleet’ of tankers

A crackdown against two vessels off Penang was the first disruption of such a ship-to-ship oil transfer in the state for over 10 years.

4 Feb 2026 - 7:48PMvideocam

US-Iran tensions

US-Iran nuclear talks set for Oman amid rising Middle East tensions

Planned talks moving from Turkey after a US jet downs an Iranian drone, though the role of regional Arab allies remains in limbo.

4 Feb 2026 - 10:11PM

Middle East

US fighter jet shoots down Iranian drone approaching aircraft carrier

The Iranian Shahed-139 was flying towards the USS Abraham Lincoln in the Arabian Sea ‘with unclear intent’, a US official says.

4 Feb 2026 - 12:37PM

An F-35C Lightning II prepares to land on the flight deck of the USS Abraham Lincoln on January 28. Photo: US Navy via AFP

US-China relations

USS Abraham Lincoln is in the Arabian Sea. So is a Chinese vessel

Research ship Dayang Yihao may have been sailing near the American warship, independent military observer says in a social media post.

3 Feb 2026 - 7:28PM

ICBMs

China grows nuclear arsenal as last US-Russia limits expire

President Xi Jinping plans to further expand China’s nuclear weapons stockpile, while caps on US and Russian deployments end this week.

5 Feb 2026 - 2:58PM

SCMP Highlights

Hong Kong-Singapore contrasts, Philippines’ EV race lag: 7 Asia highlights

From a Malaysian minister linking stress and gay people to US-Iran tensions, here are a few highlights from SCMP’s recent Asia reporting.

3 Feb 2026 - 2:59PM

Donald Trump

Iran plans nuclear talks with US as Trump warns of ‘bad things’

Facing threats of potential US military action, Tehran agrees to a Friday meeting in Istanbul on its nuclear programme.

3 Feb 2026 - 6:56PM

Protesters at an anti-US and anti-Israeli rally in support of the Iranian government, outside the US consulate in Istanbul on Sunday. Photo: AP

China-Russia relations

Could Greenland and Iran have been factors in latest China-Russia talks?

Sunday’s meeting between senior officials saw Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi warning against the ‘law of the jungle’.

2 Feb 2026 - 10:16PMvideocam

US-Iran tensions

Trump hopeful of deal after Iran’s top leader warns of regional war

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei issues ‘regional war’ warning as the United States ramps up its naval presence in the Middle East.

2 Feb 2026 - 8:46AM

Middle East

Screenwriter of Oscar-nominated Iranian film arrested in Tehran

Mehdi Mahmoudian and others detained after signing a statement calling Iran’s crackdown an ‘organised state crime against humanity’.

2 Feb 2026 - 10:20AM

A scene from the Oscar-nominated film ‘It Was Just an Accident’. Photo: Neon via AP

Middle East

Iraq’s parliament delays presidential vote again amid US pressure

In Iraq, by convention, a Shiite Muslim is prime minister, the parliament speaker is a Sunni and the largely ceremonial presidency goes to a Kurd.

1 Feb 2026 - 9:04PM

A protester holds a portrait of former Iraqi prime minister Nouri al-Maliki during a protest against US President Donald Trump near the US embassy in Baghdad, Iraq, on Thursday. Photo: dpa

Israel-Iran conflict

Gas leak behind deadly Iran blast that stoked fears of US or Israeli attack

The explosion highlighted the jittery mood ‍prevailing in the country, as Trump threatens strikes and says a US ‘armada’ is on its way.

1 Feb 2026 - 1:26AM

Middle East

US approves US$16 billion arms sale to Israel, Saudi Arabia

The State Department says that none of the new sales will affect the military balance in the Middle East.

31 Jan 2026 - 10:25AMvideocam

Middle East

‘They are trying to inject fear’: Iran rounding up thousands after crackdown

Security forces reportedly use unofficial warehouses and secret lock-ups as activists say arrests stand at more than 42,000.

30 Jan 2026 - 1:46PM

An woman sits on a bus in Tehran, Iran, on Thursday. Photo: EPA

European Union

EU designates Iran’s Revolutionary Guard as terrorist group amid bloody crackdown

EU’s Kaja Kallas equates the group to Islamic State and al-Qaeda as death toll tops 6,300. Trump moves ‘armada’ to Mideast as Iran warns of naval strikes.

30 Jan 2026 - 12:36AM

Iranian missiles are displayed at the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Aerospace Force Museum in Tehran in November 2024. Photo: West Asia press Agency/Reuters

Middle East

Trump warns Iran of ‘far worse’ attack as US warships approach

US president issues ultimatum for a nuclear deal as Iran vows to resist any American attack.

29 Jan 2026 - 7:23PM

US-Venezuela conflict

US’ Rubio says China profited from Venezuela’s collapse through cut-price oil

US secretary tells senators Beijing received discounted crude via opaque debt deals, saying Maduro’s removal was key to curbing influence.

29 Jan 2026 - 10:31AMvideocam

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Iran

.css-1m2rp1p{color:#34b8b5;}Editorial | Xi’s same-day calls with Trump and Putin showcase head-of-state diplomacy

At a time of geopolitical uncertainty, the extraordinary back-to-back conversations with the leaders of Russia and the US highlight Xi’s diplomatic approach.

Oman mediates Iran-US nuclear talks amid tensions and Trump’s threats

Why gold still glitters in Asia despite volatility triggering ‘panic selling’

China’s expat pilots; Indonesian woman collapses after 140 lashes: 7 highlights

From a Chinese vessel shadowing US aircraft carrier to Hong Kong graduates’ job outlook, here are highlights from SCMP’s recent reporting.

Ahead of talks, Iran deploys ballistic missile at underground ‘missile city’

Tehran signals offensive readiness as negotiators arrive in Oman for high-stakes talks.

What Xi’s calls with Trump and Putin reveal about China’s balancing act

Beijing holds rare same-day talks with Kremlin and White House as powers face headwinds at home, energy uncertainties and nuclear pact’s end.

Xi holds Trump, Putin calls as Iran tensions mount

Iran was among the topics Xi Jinping discussed with his US and Russian counterparts in separate calls on Wednesday ahead of new diplomatic efforts to end the country’s nuclear programme.

Pakistan accuses ‘elements supported by India’ of organising Balochistan attacks

The attacks in recent days in the restive province caused the deaths of more than 250 civilians, security personnel and insurgents.

China’s cheap oil flows under strain as US ramps up Iran, Venezuela pressure

US restrictions could lead China to turn to higher-priced barrels in other markets, while it continues to reduce its reliance on oil imports.

Trump says Iran leaders should be ‘very worried’ as talks near

Negotiations will take place in Oman, but there is disagreement over whether Tehran’s missile programme will be discussed.

Road to equality? Iran formally allows women to ride motorcycles

In a country where women’s public presence is heavily regulated, the right to operate a vehicle is a powerful indicator of shifting social boundaries.

Malaysian waters see return of oil transfer by ‘dark fleet’ of tankers

A crackdown against two vessels off Penang was the first disruption of such a ship-to-ship oil transfer in the state for over 10 years.

US-Iran nuclear talks set for Oman amid rising Middle East tensions

Planned talks moving from Turkey after a US jet downs an Iranian drone, though the role of regional Arab allies remains in limbo.

US fighter jet shoots down Iranian drone approaching aircraft carrier

The Iranian Shahed-139 was flying towards the USS Abraham Lincoln in the Arabian Sea ‘with unclear intent’, a US official says.

USS Abraham Lincoln is in the Arabian Sea. So is a Chinese vessel

Research ship Dayang Yihao may have been sailing near the American warship, independent military observer says in a social media post.

China grows nuclear arsenal as last US-Russia limits expire

President Xi Jinping plans to further expand China’s nuclear weapons stockpile, while caps on US and Russian deployments end this week.

Hong Kong-Singapore contrasts, Philippines’ EV race lag: 7 Asia highlights

From a Malaysian minister linking stress and gay people to US-Iran tensions, here are a few highlights from SCMP’s recent Asia reporting.

Iran plans nuclear talks with US as Trump warns of ‘bad things’

Facing threats of potential US military action, Tehran agrees to a Friday meeting in Istanbul on its nuclear programme.

Could Greenland and Iran have been factors in latest China-Russia talks?

Sunday’s meeting between senior officials saw Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi warning against the ‘law of the jungle’.

Trump hopeful of deal after Iran’s top leader warns of regional war

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei issues ‘regional war’ warning as the United States ramps up its naval presence in the Middle East.

Screenwriter of Oscar-nominated Iranian film arrested in Tehran

Mehdi Mahmoudian and others detained after signing a statement calling Iran’s crackdown an ‘organised state crime against humanity’.

Iraq’s parliament delays presidential vote again amid US pressure

In Iraq, by convention, a Shiite Muslim is prime minister, the parliament speaker is a Sunni and the largely ceremonial presidency goes to a Kurd.

Gas leak behind deadly Iran blast that stoked fears of US or Israeli attack

The explosion highlighted the jittery mood ‍prevailing in the country, as Trump threatens strikes and says a US ‘armada’ is on its way.

US approves US$16 billion arms sale to Israel, Saudi Arabia

The State Department says that none of the new sales will affect the military balance in the Middle East.

‘They are trying to inject fear’: Iran rounding up thousands after crackdown

Security forces reportedly use unofficial warehouses and secret lock-ups as activists say arrests stand at more than 42,000.

EU designates Iran’s Revolutionary Guard as terrorist group amid bloody crackdown

EU’s Kaja Kallas equates the group to Islamic State and al-Qaeda as death toll tops 6,300. Trump moves ‘armada’ to Mideast as Iran warns of naval strikes.

Trump warns Iran of ‘far worse’ attack as US warships approach

US president issues ultimatum for a nuclear deal as Iran vows to resist any American attack.

US’ Rubio says China profited from Venezuela’s collapse through cut-price oil

US secretary tells senators Beijing received discounted crude via opaque debt deals, saying Maduro’s removal was key to curbing influence.

Editorial | Xi’s same-day calls with Trump and Putin showcase head-of-state diplomacy