TOPIC

/ location

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 huge, ship-shaped Louis Vuitton cultural and retail landmark is seen in Shanghai. China’s luxury spending is expected to help drive a global rebound this year. Photo: Getty Images

China consumption

China’s luxury spending seen boosting global sales in 2026 despite headwinds

Affluent Chinese consumers are expected to splurge, though a volatile property market and oil price shocks pose challenges, analysts say.

4 hours ago

Middle East

UAE, Bahrain and Kuwait lose water, energy infrastructure to Iran strikes

5 hours ago

Ukraine war

Zelensky fears Ukraine may get less US support to fight Russia due to Iran war

6 hours agovideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

Fuel, food and fury: how the Iran war could topple South Asian governments

Analysts warn the crisis is threatening to spill over into wider economic and political instability.

5 Apr 2026 - 1:30PM

Police clash with activists during a protest against the arrest of former prime minister K.P. Sharma Oli in Kathmandu, Nepal, on March 29. Photo: EPA

Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong tourists choose safety, affordability with trips to mainland China

Travel industry leader says rise in airlines’ fuel surcharges and Mideast conflict have dampened Hongkongers’ desire to travel long distances.

2 hours ago

India

India turns to ‘trusted friend’ Russia for oil supply as Iran war energises ties

The two sides aim to keep their energy trade flowing despite sanctions while balancing against the US and China, analysts say.

5 Apr 2026 - 2:32PMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

Downed US airman found after ‘heavy firefight’ in Iran

Donald Trump says on social media the missing crewman had been injured but is now ‘safe and sound’.

29 minutes ago

Iran’s Revolutionary Guard released photos of what it said were downed US aircraft. Photo: AFP

US, Israel war on Iran

Opinion | Why the ‘Gate of Tears’ may yet make the whole world weep

With the Strait of Hormuz effectively closed, any attacks on the Bab el-Mandeb Strait will pile further pressure on global supply chains.

5 Apr 2026 - 12:00PM

Middle East

Letters | Iran war can increase vulnerability to human trafficking in Southeast Asia

Readers discuss the impact of the war on already struggling people, and coping with the effects of “blandemic” buildings.

5 Apr 2026 - 11:30AM

US, Israel war on Iran

Iran attacks Kuwait, Israel after Trump set deadline for deal

Kuwait and Israel say their air defences are responding to the latest attacks from Iran.

6 hours agovideocam

Smoke rises at Kuwait’s international airport after a reported Iranian drone strike on Wednesday. Photo: AFP

Thailand

Thailand’s fishing industry fights for survival as Iran war hits fuel costs

Half of the fleet is already docked as the fishing association warns the whole sector may ‘collapse like dominoes’.

5 Apr 2026 - 8:00AMvideocam

A man on a truck brings the ice that keeps the catch fresh. Photo: Aidan Jones

US, Israel war on Iran

US commits nearly all of stealthy long-range missiles to Iran war

JASSM-ER cruise missiles are to be pulled from Pacific stockpiles, reducing supplies of systems meant for more capable foes like China.

5 Apr 2026 - 1:53AMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

US arrests niece and grandniece of slain Iran general Qassem Soleimani

Hamideh Soleimani Afshar and her daughter, who were allegedly living a ‘lavish lifestyle’ in Los Angeles, have had their green cards revoked.

5 Apr 2026 - 4:14AMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

Trump gives Iran 48 hours to make deal, as US hunts for missing airman

Iran’s General Ali Abdollahi Aliabadi responded by calling the US president’s threat a ‘helpless, nervous, unbalanced and stupid action’.

5 Apr 2026 - 6:39AMvideocam

US President Donald Trump speaks from the Cross Hall of the White House on Wednesday. Photo: TNS

US, Israel war on Iran

‘Restrict everything’: Senegal curbs ministers’ foreign trips amid Iran war

PM says budgets in one of the world’s poorest nations were based on an oil price of US$62 a barrel. However, that has almost doubled.

4 Apr 2026 - 9:45PMvideocam

Senegal’s Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko. File photo: AFP

Afghanistan

Afghan boy sole survivor after quake kills 8 in refugee family back from Iran

The group, who recently returned to live in a tent near Kabul, died when a wall collapsed on them, their toddler the only one left alive.

4 Apr 2026 - 8:21PMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

1 dead in strike near Iran’s Bushehr nuclear plant: IAEA

It is the fourth such incident in recent weeks involving Bushehr, which is closer to Kuwait, Bahrain and Qatar than it is to Iran’s capital.

4 Apr 2026 - 10:26PMvideocam

China's military weapons

Iran points finger at Saudis and UAE after Chinese-made drone was shot down

Tehran says it has shot down a Wing Loong II, which could be proof of ‘active complicity’ in the US-Israeli war.

4 Apr 2026 - 6:13PMvideocam

Iran says a Wing Long II drone has been shot down over its territory. Photo: Dickson Lee

US, Israel war on Iran

‘Ease the burden’: 5 EU nations urge tax on energy firms’ profits

As fuel prices spike, finance ministers from Germany, Italy, Spain, Portugal and Austria ‘stand united’ and call for action.

4 Apr 2026 - 7:10PMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

Macroscope | Why dollar and gold prices are looking abnormal amid Iran war

Two apparent anomalies stand out in recent market movements – the rising dollar and falling gold prices.

4 Apr 2026 - 5:25PMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

UAE squeezes Iranian economic lifeline in retaliation for attacks

The UAE has quietly banned most Iranians from entering the country or transiting its airports, and cracked down on IRGC-related networks.

4 Apr 2026 - 3:00PMvideocam

An Emirates 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

Rights groups raise alarm after Iran executes 2 more opposition group members

The hangings are the latest targeting members of the banned People’s Mojahedin of Iran after four others were executed earlier in the week.

4 Apr 2026 - 2:31PMvideocam

People protest outside the US State Department on Monday to highlight the executions of MEK members in Karaj, Iran. Photo: AP

Israel

Israel sets sights on Lebanon’s Hezbollah sites after blowing up crucial bridges

Lebanon was drawn into the Iran war when Hezbollah launched rockets at Israel to avenge the death of Iran’s supreme leader Ali Khamenei.

4 Apr 2026 - 1:36PMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

Asian Angle | Hormuz is sending Southeast Asia a warning – and we can no longer ignore it

The crisis has shown we must invest in renewables rather than staying in a fossil fuel comfort zone.

4 Apr 2026 - 12:00PMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

In a time of war, Chinese museums are a safe haven for ancient treasures of Iran

Cultural exchanges established with the Middle East are underscoring China’s role as a safe harbour for vulnerable global heritage.

4 Apr 2026 - 12:00PMvideocam

An image showing damage to a room in Tehran’s Golestan Palace. Photo: AP

Pakistan

Pakistan offers free public transport for 30 days following 40% petrol hike

The announcement of free travel for residents of Islamabad and Punjab came after people protested the steep rise in fuel prices.

4 Apr 2026 - 9:46AMvideocam

Passengers board a government bus in Islamabad on Friday. Photo: AFP

South Korea

Softly, softly: why South Korea, France prefer diplomacy over force in Hormuz

Presidents Lee and Macron have agreed to cooperate on safety in the strait but they are likely to wade in only after the war, analysts say.

4 Apr 2026 - 9:00AMvideocam

China-Australia relations

Australia’s 180-degree shift from 5 years ago: China in favour; US out

Aussie comedian exposes the truth about nation’s feelings towards US president, democracy and public safety.

4 Apr 2026 - 8:00AMvideocam

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Iran

China’s luxury spending seen boosting global sales in 2026 despite headwinds

Affluent Chinese consumers are expected to splurge, though a volatile property market and oil price shocks pose challenges, analysts say.

UAE, Bahrain and Kuwait lose water, energy infrastructure to Iran strikes

Zelensky fears Ukraine may get less US support to fight Russia due to Iran war

Fuel, food and fury: how the Iran war could topple South Asian governments

Analysts warn the crisis is threatening to spill over into wider economic and political instability.

Hong Kong tourists choose safety, affordability with trips to mainland China

Travel industry leader says rise in airlines’ fuel surcharges and Mideast conflict have dampened Hongkongers’ desire to travel long distances.

India turns to ‘trusted friend’ Russia for oil supply as Iran war energises ties

The two sides aim to keep their energy trade flowing despite sanctions while balancing against the US and China, analysts say.

Downed US airman found after ‘heavy firefight’ in Iran

Donald Trump says on social media the missing crewman had been injured but is now ‘safe and sound’.

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}Opinion | Why the ‘Gate of Tears’ may yet make the whole world weep

With the Strait of Hormuz effectively closed, any attacks on the Bab el-Mandeb Strait will pile further pressure on global supply chains.

.css-19im5qg{color:#c79a00;}Letters | Iran war can increase vulnerability to human trafficking in Southeast Asia

Readers discuss the impact of the war on already struggling people, and coping with the effects of “blandemic” buildings.

Iran attacks Kuwait, Israel after Trump set deadline for deal

Kuwait and Israel say their air defences are responding to the latest attacks from Iran.

Thailand’s fishing industry fights for survival as Iran war hits fuel costs

Half of the fleet is already docked as the fishing association warns the whole sector may ‘collapse like dominoes’.

US commits nearly all of stealthy long-range missiles to Iran war

JASSM-ER cruise missiles are to be pulled from Pacific stockpiles, reducing supplies of systems meant for more capable foes like China.

US arrests niece and grandniece of slain Iran general Qassem Soleimani

Hamideh Soleimani Afshar and her daughter, who were allegedly living a ‘lavish lifestyle’ in Los Angeles, have had their green cards revoked.

Trump gives Iran 48 hours to make deal, as US hunts for missing airman

Iran’s General Ali Abdollahi Aliabadi responded by calling the US president’s threat a ‘helpless, nervous, unbalanced and stupid action’.

‘Restrict everything’: Senegal curbs ministers’ foreign trips amid Iran war

PM says budgets in one of the world’s poorest nations were based on an oil price of US$62 a barrel. However, that has almost doubled.

Afghan boy sole survivor after quake kills 8 in refugee family back from Iran

The group, who recently returned to live in a tent near Kabul, died when a wall collapsed on them, their toddler the only one left alive.

1 dead in strike near Iran’s Bushehr nuclear plant: IAEA

It is the fourth such incident in recent weeks involving Bushehr, which is closer to Kuwait, Bahrain and Qatar than it is to Iran’s capital.

Iran points finger at Saudis and UAE after Chinese-made drone was shot down

Tehran says it has shot down a Wing Loong II, which could be proof of ‘active complicity’ in the US-Israeli war.

‘Ease the burden’: 5 EU nations urge tax on energy firms’ profits

As fuel prices spike, finance ministers from Germany, Italy, Spain, Portugal and Austria ‘stand united’ and call for action.

Macroscope | Why dollar and gold prices are looking abnormal amid Iran war

Two apparent anomalies stand out in recent market movements – the rising dollar and falling gold prices.

UAE squeezes Iranian economic lifeline in retaliation for attacks

The UAE has quietly banned most Iranians from entering the country or transiting its airports, and cracked down on IRGC-related networks.

Rights groups raise alarm after Iran executes 2 more opposition group members

The hangings are the latest targeting members of the banned People’s Mojahedin of Iran after four others were executed earlier in the week.

Israel sets sights on Lebanon’s Hezbollah sites after blowing up crucial bridges

Lebanon was drawn into the Iran war when Hezbollah launched rockets at Israel to avenge the death of Iran’s supreme leader Ali Khamenei.

Asian Angle | Hormuz is sending Southeast Asia a warning – and we can no longer ignore it

The crisis has shown we must invest in renewables rather than staying in a fossil fuel comfort zone.

In a time of war, Chinese museums are a safe haven for ancient treasures of Iran

Cultural exchanges established with the Middle East are underscoring China’s role as a safe harbour for vulnerable global heritage.

Pakistan offers free public transport for 30 days following 40% petrol hike

The announcement of free travel for residents of Islamabad and Punjab came after people protested the steep rise in fuel prices.

Softly, softly: why South Korea, France prefer diplomacy over force in Hormuz

Presidents Lee and Macron have agreed to cooperate on safety in the strait but they are likely to wade in only after the war, analysts say.

Australia’s 180-degree shift from 5 years ago: China in favour; US out

Aussie comedian exposes the truth about nation’s feelings towards US president, democracy and public safety.

Opinion | Why the ‘Gate of Tears’ may yet make the whole world weep

Letters | Iran war can increase vulnerability to human trafficking in Southeast Asia