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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

US President Donald Trump speaks to reporters at the White House on Tuesday. Beijing was more likely to redouble efforts to strengthen regional deterrence following US air strikes on Iran, experts said. Photo: AFP

US-China relations

Trump’s Iran strikes: a ‘wake-up call’ for China on US unpredictability?

Bombings send ‘strong and clear’ signal about possible US intervention in potential Taiwan or South China Sea conflicts, experts say.

1 hour agovideocam

My Take

My Take | Is it time for change in Iran? Leave it to Iranians to decide

3 hours agovideocam

World Economic Forum

China urged to step up fiscal support amid Iran-Israel war, trade war risks

3 hours agovideocam

Israel-Iran conflict

Opinion | Beyond Iran: the precarious balance of global oil prices

The world is more resilient and energy-efficient than in the 1970s, yet broader structural vulnerabilities persist and could hit Asia hard.

4 hours agovideocam

People watch from a bridge as flames from an Israeli attack rise from the Sharan Oil depot in Tehran, Iran, on June 15. Photo: Reuters

India

Pakistan’s embrace of Trump stirs India concerns of US tilt to Islamabad

Timing of Nobel nomination appears aimed at reinforcing Trump’s claim of ceasefire mediation in India-Pakistan conflict, analysts say.

4 hours agovideocam

Hong Kong society

Qatar Airways cancels flight from Hong Kong to Doha for second day in row

Flight 815, scheduled to depart from Hong Kong for Doha at 1.25am on Tuesday and Wednesday, cancelled.

50 minutes ago

Taiwan

Trump’s Iran-Israel truce wavers as Nato highlights Taiwan

A Middle East truce announced by US President Donald Trump was in jeopardy as Nato readied for a summit that is likely to highlight Taiwan.

24 Jun 2025 - 5:18PM

The aircraft carrier USS Nimitz was deployed to the Middle East. Photo: Handout

War and conflict

Opinion | Why blocking the Strait of Hormuz is a recipe for disaster

With its ruinous consequences and difficulty in execution, a full blockade is unlikely. But the risks of miscalculation must not be ignored.

24 Jun 2025 - 4:49PMvideocam

China airliners

As skies in Mideast close, China airlines have key advantage – Russian airspace

In a sky divided by conflict, some companies face longer, costlier routes – giving Chinese firms a competitive edge, analysts say.

24 Jun 2025 - 2:53PMvideocam

The Philippines

Indo-Pacific or Middle East? US dilemma leaves Philippines exposed

As US attention and resources pivot to a volatile Middle East, experts warn of a strategic vacuum in the Indo-Pacific.

24 Jun 2025 - 3:36PMvideocam

Supporters of regime change in Iran rally outside the Wilshire Federal Building in Los Angeles, California, on Monday. Photo: Getty Images/AFP

SCMP Highlights

Malaysia’s petrol subsidy cuts, Australian woman’s death: 7 Asia highlights

From an Australian woman’s caffeine overdose to fatal virus fears in Japan, here are a few highlights from SCMP’s recent Asia reporting.

24 Jun 2025 - 1:15PM

Christina Lackmann, 32, died of a caffeine overdose after a series of ambulance delays. Photo: Handout

Hong Kong politics

20 of 21 Hongkongers in Israel and Iran have left the countries: John Lee

Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee says escalating tensions in Middle East will not affect city’s efforts to develop markets there.

6 hours ago

Malaysia

Out of the line of fire: Malaysian evacuees’ 1,000km escape to safety from Iran

A convoy of 17 Malaysians and one Singaporean endured a harrowing 24-hour overland journey across Iran to reach safety as violence escalated.

24 Jun 2025 - 12:26PM

Donald Trump

Letters | Americans must speak up against Trump’s Iran strike

Readers discuss military action against Iran, who Australia needs to be protected against, and family-friendly policies.

24 Jun 2025 - 5:35PM

US President Donald Trump delivers an address to the nation alongside Vice-President J.D. Vance, State Secretary Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth at the White House on June 21, following US strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities. Photo: Reuters

Hong Kong stock market

Hong Kong stocks jump by most in 6 weeks on Iran-Israel truce as oil slides

Futures on WTI oil tumbled more than 3 per cent to US$66.21 a barrel in Asian trading hours, tempering concerns about global inflation.

24 Jun 2025 - 4:42PM

Employees monitoring market prices in the trading room amid rising geopolitical tensions. Photo: AFP

Taiwan

Should Taiwan worry about the US being bogged down in the Middle East again?

Any protracted war with Iran could divert military supplies and attention from the Asia-Pacific, analysts say.

24 Jun 2025 - 8:23AMvideocam

China-Middle East relations

China not likely to use navy to secure Hormuz Strait, analyst says

Beijing’s approach would be shaped by quiet negotiations and self-interest, not direct military intervention, a top US analyst says.

24 Jun 2025 - 6:35AMvideocam

Israel-Iran conflict

Iran approves general plan to suspend cooperation with IAEA

Iran said submitting reports to the UN nuclear watchdog is suspended while the security of nuclear facilities is not guaranteed.

24 Jun 2025 - 4:44AMvideocam

The Iranian flag flutters in front of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) organisation’s headquarters in Vienna, Austria. Photo: Reuters

China-EU relations

EU foreign policy chief calls for ‘dose of realism’ in China relations

Statement precedes planned meeting with Wang Yi in Beijing and Anhui.

24 Jun 2025 - 3:13AM

Nato

Beijing’s ‘massive’ build-up raises threat of Taiwan Strait conflict: Nato chief

Its enlarged military presence could draw in Russia and thus European forces into the fray, secretary general warns ahead of summit.

24 Jun 2025 - 2:06AMvideocam

Israel-Iran conflict

Trump tries to salvage ceasefire after rebuking Israel and Iran over violations

US president says both sides have violated ceasefire meant to bring an end to what he has branded the ‘12 Day War’.

31 minutes ago

376

Israeli soldiers and rescue teams work amid the rubble of residential buildings destroyed by an Iranian missile strike that killed several people, in Beersheba, Israel, on Tuesday. Photo: AP

Donald Trump

Trump pushes to pump more crude oil amid fears Iran may close shipping lane

White House warned Iran against closing the Strait of Hormuz in retaliation for US strikes on Iran’s nuclear programme.

24 Jun 2025 - 12:49AMvideocam

Illustration depicts a map showing the Strait of Hormuz and Iran is seen behind a 3D printed miniature of US President Donald Trump. Photo: Reuters / Dado Ruvic / Illustration

Israel-Iran conflict

Explosions boom in Qatar as Iran launches missile attack on US military base

Iran confirms it launched attack on US forces at Qatar’s Al Udeid Air Base. Qatar had earlier closed airspace following US attacks on Iran.

24 Jun 2025 - 3:16AMvideocam

War and conflict

Opinion | Has Trump started another forever war? Not if Americans can help it

As the US ramps up aggression against Iran, fears of another full-scale invasion in the Middle East abound. Thankfully, all hope is not lost.

23 Jun 2025 - 10:30PMvideocam

Israel-Iran conflict

Explainer | As Israel attacks Iran’s nuclear programme, it is ambiguous about its own

Israel has potentially enough plutonium to make 277 nuclear weapons, according to the Nuclear Threat Initiative, a global security organisation.

23 Jun 2025 - 10:23PMvideocam

A man carries his wounded child following an Israeli airstrike on Tehran, Iran, on June 15. Photo: EPA-EFE

Israel-Iran conflict

China ‘unlikely to take decisive role’ as US bombing of Iran tests influence

China more likely to focus on providing diplomatic support to Iran, observers say, rule out military intervention.

23 Jun 2025 - 10:00PMvideocam

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, pictured with President Donald Trump at the White House in April, has urged China to use its diplomatic influence to dissuade Iran from closing the Strait of Hormuz. Photo: TNS

Hong Kong transport

Middle East conflict hits global aviation, Hong Kong routes unaffected

Data from analytics company shows almost 5 per cent of global flights to the region were cancelled this month amid Israel-Iran conflict.

23 Jun 2025 - 9:32PM

SCMP Highlights

China’s HQ-29 missile, Beijing hits out at US and Israel: SCMP daily highlights

From China urged to adopt yuan-backed stablecoins to Beijing criticising the US and Iran, here’s a round-up from today’s coverage.

23 Jun 2025 - 9:15PM

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