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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 arrives to deliver a speech at the Mack Trucks Lehigh Valley Operations facility in Macungie, Pennsylvania, on June 23. Photo: Getty Images via AFP

United States

Outside In | US the ultimate loser as Iran war ushers in global power upheaval

Defeated by asymmetric warfare and spurned by allies, the US has ended up boosting China’s economy and standing instead.

26 minutes agovideocam

China exports

‘Too many uncertainties’: why China’s exporters remain wary despite US-Iran deal

3 hours agovideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

Why East Asia could be the new centre for peace and economic growth

4 hours ago

SCMP Highlights

Breakthrough in US-Iran talks; Japan visa hike to affect Chinese: 7 highlights

From deadly school shooting in Philippines to a Chinese man jailed for breeding 300 snakes, here are highlights from SCMP’s recent reporting.

5 hours ago

Chinese tourists pose for photographs while dressed in kimonos at the Sensoji Temple in the Asakusa district of Tokyo. Photo: AFP

China trade

At Chinese supply chain expo, executives look to tech as geopolitical insulation

As wars and tariffs disrupt trade, experts at China International Supply Chain Expo focus on potential of frontier technologies.

26 Jun 2026 - 10:00AM

US, Israel war on Iran

UN halts escort of ships through Hormuz after Singapore-flagged vessel attacked

Cargo ship was hit by a projectile close to Oman, testing a preliminary agreement to end the Iran war.

2 hours agovideocam

US-Venezuela conflict

As Venezuela reels from earthquake disaster, a test for new US relationship

Washington’s swift disaster response clearest indication yet of how relationship with Caracas has evolved, but bigger challenges lie ahead.

5 hours agovideocam

People walk and ride past collapsed structures and debris following an earthquake in Catia La Mar, Venezuela, on Wednesday. Photo: AFP

United States

Asia treads cautiously on Iranian oil exports despite US sanctions waiver

Some regional economies are assessing the possibility of the US and Iran resuming hostilities before committing to buy Iranian oil.

26 Jun 2026 - 2:23AM

Middle East

US’ Rubio wraps up Gulf tour as allies share concerns over Iran peace accord

Rubio did not discuss a US$300 billion reconstruction fund for Iran that is part of the peace proposal.

25 Jun 2026 - 8:26PM

China's military weapons

Did the Iran war just prove that China’s ageing DF-15Bs are still big guns?

Military observers point to similarities with Iran’s short-range weapons that have breached US defence systems in the Middle East.

25 Jun 2026 - 7:00PMvideocam

China’s DF-15B short-range ballistic missiles have been in service since 1999. Photo: Reuters

US, Israel war on Iran

Trump casts doubt on US striking Iran school on war’s first day

The February 28 attack, likely carried out by the US, killed more than 175 children and teachers in the southern city of Minab.

25 Jun 2026 - 1:37PM

Raheleh, an Iranian woman who lost two of her children in Minab school strike on February 28. Photo: West Asia News Agency via Reuters

United States

Trump opens 250th US birthday party with a campaign-style rally

The US president put himself and his policies at the centre of the opening event on the National Mall in Washington.

25 Jun 2026 - 2:49PM

US, Israel war on Iran

Asian airfares look set to fall as jet fuel prices ease on US-Iran deal

Budget carriers will lead the charge but the pace is likely to be gradual as airlines wait for more clarity on the Iran war, experts say.

25 Jun 2026 - 3:40PMvideocam

War and conflict

Opinion | 8 takeaways from the US-Iran war

From the rise of devastating asymmetric warfare to the crumbling of the US maritime hegemony and alliances, the war offers food for thought.

25 Jun 2026 - 5:30AM

US-Iran tensions

‘War of words’ won’t stop Iran nuclear inspections, says IAEA

‘We will obviously have to inspect,’ said Rafael Grossi, the boss of the International Atomic Energy Agency. ‘This is going to happen’.

24 Jun 2026 - 8:19PMvideocam

International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) boss Rafael Grossi speaks during a press conference at Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant in Japan on Wednesday. Photo: Kyodo News via AP

China-Middle East relations

At Summer Davos in China, Mideast firms look to next generation to save the Gulf

At World Economic Forum meeting in Dalian, observers see regional self-reliance and economic needs as motivators for change after Iran war.

24 Jun 2026 - 8:00PMvideocam

India

‘Senseless’: US military command rebrand risks damaging India ties

Eight years after ‘Indo’ was added to signal India’s importance, analysts say its removal points to a shift in Washington’s priorities.

24 Jun 2026 - 7:30PMvideocam

Donald Trump

New poll shows eroding global trust in Trump and America

Pew survey across 36 nations found just 23 per cent of respondents had confidence in Trump to do the right thing in world affairs.

24 Jun 2026 - 2:00PMvideocam

About two-thirds of respondents had little or no confidence in Donald Trump on global affairs. Photo: Getty Images via AFP

US, Israel war on Iran

Rebuking Trump, US Senate joins House in vote to end Iran war

US president blasts vote as ‘meaningless’ as his administration tries to negotiate a peace agreement with Iran.

24 Jun 2026 - 11:43AMvideocam

Ukraine war

Ukraine war: Russia says US hasn’t delivered on Trump-Putin ‘understandings’

With Kyiv claiming to be turning the tide of the conflict, Moscow’s comments signal a growing frustration with Washington.

24 Jun 2026 - 1:54AMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

Trump touts Iran inspection deal as Tehran disputes claim

US president says Iran agreed to inspections ‘long into the future’, but Tehran says no decision has been made on IAEA access.

24 Jun 2026 - 4:45PMvideocam

Donald Trump

Video | ‘IRAN WON THE WAR AND WE LOST’

John Mearsheimer on the world at war, the China-US collision course, and what lies ahead.

23 Jun 2026 - 8:15PM

John Mearsheimer: Making it Make Sense | Talking Post with Yonden Lhatoo

35:59

India

Are India-US trade talks nearing ‘last-mile bargaining’ amid strained ties?

US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer’s visit to India this week could help put the ‘final touch’ on a trade deal, analysts say.

23 Jun 2026 - 8:04PMvideocam

Britain

‘Sort of a friend’: Trump takes parting shot at UK’s Starmer

US leader offers his thoughts after UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer announces resignation.

23 Jun 2026 - 10:30AMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

Trump: ‘I will do what I have to do’ if Iran does not stick to deal

Trump said Iran must use money being unfrozen by the US to ‌buy food exclusively from America but Iran said it is under no such obligation.

23 Jun 2026 - 10:09PMvideocam

US President Donald Trump in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington on Monday. Photo: EPA

United States

Iran agrees to invite IAEA inspectors back, says US

This is ‘the first step in permanently ending a nuclear weapons programme in Iran’, said US Vice-President J.D. Vance.

22 Jun 2026 - 9:49PM

Head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Grossi, in June 2025 before the start of a special meeting on US attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities. Photo: dpa

US, Israel war on Iran

Could Iran replace China as US soybean market? Farmers aren’t buying Trump pitch

American growers sceptical, dismissing claims of a new Iranian market for their exports as unrealistic and misleading.

23 Jun 2026 - 1:30PMvideocam

China exports

Why China’s green exports to the US are suddenly surging

The country is likely to be among the biggest winners of the global shift towards electrification and decarbonisation, analyst says.

22 Jun 2026 - 9:30PM

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Iran

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}Outside In | US the ultimate loser as Iran war ushers in global power upheaval

Defeated by asymmetric warfare and spurned by allies, the US has ended up boosting China’s economy and standing instead.

‘Too many uncertainties’: why China’s exporters remain wary despite US-Iran deal

Why East Asia could be the new centre for peace and economic growth

Breakthrough in US-Iran talks; Japan visa hike to affect Chinese: 7 highlights

From deadly school shooting in Philippines to a Chinese man jailed for breeding 300 snakes, here are highlights from SCMP’s recent reporting.

At Chinese supply chain expo, executives look to tech as geopolitical insulation

As wars and tariffs disrupt trade, experts at China International Supply Chain Expo focus on potential of frontier technologies.

UN halts escort of ships through Hormuz after Singapore-flagged vessel attacked

Cargo ship was hit by a projectile close to Oman, testing a preliminary agreement to end the Iran war.

As Venezuela reels from earthquake disaster, a test for new US relationship

Washington’s swift disaster response clearest indication yet of how relationship with Caracas has evolved, but bigger challenges lie ahead.

Asia treads cautiously on Iranian oil exports despite US sanctions waiver

Some regional economies are assessing the possibility of the US and Iran resuming hostilities before committing to buy Iranian oil.

US’ Rubio wraps up Gulf tour as allies share concerns over Iran peace accord

Rubio did not discuss a US$300 billion reconstruction fund for Iran that is part of the peace proposal.

Did the Iran war just prove that China’s ageing DF-15Bs are still big guns?

Military observers point to similarities with Iran’s short-range weapons that have breached US defence systems in the Middle East.

Trump casts doubt on US striking Iran school on war’s first day

The February 28 attack, likely carried out by the US, killed more than 175 children and teachers in the southern city of Minab.

Trump opens 250th US birthday party with a campaign-style rally

The US president put himself and his policies at the centre of the opening event on the National Mall in Washington.

Asian airfares look set to fall as jet fuel prices ease on US-Iran deal

Budget carriers will lead the charge but the pace is likely to be gradual as airlines wait for more clarity on the Iran war, experts say.

Opinion | 8 takeaways from the US-Iran war

From the rise of devastating asymmetric warfare to the crumbling of the US maritime hegemony and alliances, the war offers food for thought.

‘War of words’ won’t stop Iran nuclear inspections, says IAEA

‘We will obviously have to inspect,’ said Rafael Grossi, the boss of the International Atomic Energy Agency. ‘This is going to happen’.

At Summer Davos in China, Mideast firms look to next generation to save the Gulf

At World Economic Forum meeting in Dalian, observers see regional self-reliance and economic needs as motivators for change after Iran war.

‘Senseless’: US military command rebrand risks damaging India ties

Eight years after ‘Indo’ was added to signal India’s importance, analysts say its removal points to a shift in Washington’s priorities.

New poll shows eroding global trust in Trump and America

Pew survey across 36 nations found just 23 per cent of respondents had confidence in Trump to do the right thing in world affairs.

Rebuking Trump, US Senate joins House in vote to end Iran war

US president blasts vote as ‘meaningless’ as his administration tries to negotiate a peace agreement with Iran.

Ukraine war: Russia says US hasn’t delivered on Trump-Putin ‘understandings’

With Kyiv claiming to be turning the tide of the conflict, Moscow’s comments signal a growing frustration with Washington.

Trump touts Iran inspection deal as Tehran disputes claim

US president says Iran agreed to inspections ‘long into the future’, but Tehran says no decision has been made on IAEA access.

.css-1f6sr3w{color:#727272;}Video | ‘IRAN WON THE WAR AND WE LOST’

John Mearsheimer on the world at war, the China-US collision course, and what lies ahead.

Are India-US trade talks nearing ‘last-mile bargaining’ amid strained ties?

US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer’s visit to India this week could help put the ‘final touch’ on a trade deal, analysts say.

‘Sort of a friend’: Trump takes parting shot at UK’s Starmer

US leader offers his thoughts after UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer announces resignation.

Trump: ‘I will do what I have to do’ if Iran does not stick to deal

Trump said Iran must use money being unfrozen by the US to ‌buy food exclusively from America but Iran said it is under no such obligation.

Iran agrees to invite IAEA inspectors back, says US

This is ‘the first step in permanently ending a nuclear weapons programme in Iran’, said US Vice-President J.D. Vance.

Could Iran replace China as US soybean market? Farmers aren’t buying Trump pitch

American growers sceptical, dismissing claims of a new Iranian market for their exports as unrealistic and misleading.

Why China’s green exports to the US are suddenly surging

The country is likely to be among the biggest winners of the global shift towards electrification and decarbonisation, analyst says.

Outside In | US the ultimate loser as Iran war ushers in global power upheaval

Video | ‘IRAN WON THE WAR AND WE LOST’