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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

North Korea nuclear crisis

Opinion | Maduro’s fate in Venezuela hardens North Korea’s nuclear resolve

It confirms Pyongyang’s belief that leaders seen as thorns in the US side who lack nuclear weapons ultimately fall victim to US intervention.

9 Jan 2026 - 5:30AMvideocam

Saudi Arabia

US allies Saudi Arabia, UAE risk a split in Middle East over competing visions

8 Jan 2026 - 5:21PM

US-Venezuela conflict

US won’t rule out pressuring Venezuela to curb China, Russia ties

8 Jan 2026 - 6:57AMvideocam

United States

Opinion | Why Asia should be concerned about the US attack on Venezuela

Venezuela matters less as a case in itself than as a signal of how energy is being repositioned amid intensifying US-China competition.

7 Jan 2026 - 6:22PMvideocam

A man walks past a sculpture outside a building of Venezuela’s state oil company PDVSA in Caracas, Venezuela, on May 17, 2019. Photo: Reuters

US-Venezuela conflict

The Maduro effect: US raid accelerates Asia’s drift away from Washington

Cambodia, Laos and North Korea are expected to tighten their embrace of Moscow and Beijing amid growing distrust of the US.

7 Jan 2026 - 7:16PMvideocam

US-Venezuela conflict

Why Iran may not be the next Venezuela despite twin threat of protests and Trump

The volatile situation in the Middle East and the greater role played by China in the region may give the US pause for thought.

6 Jan 2026 - 8:02PMvideocam

Middle East

Iran protests death toll hits 35 and 1,200 detained, activists say

Iran’s judiciary vows ‘no leniency’ for rioters as nationwide unrest enters its second week.

6 Jan 2026 - 8:14PM

Protestors attacking a government building in Fasa, in southern Iran on December 31. Photo: Photo: UGC via AFP

China energy security

China’s reliance on energy imports

US actions in Venezuela highlight China’s dependence on foreign oil and show why geopolitical risks are spurring its efforts to lower energy imports even as its economy grows.

6 Jan 2026 - 5:06PM

South Korea

North Korea doubles down with missile test, slams ‘US hegemony’ over Maduro

The test also appears to indicate Pyongyang’s objection to South Korean President Lee Jae Myung’s visit to Beijing.

5 Jan 2026 - 5:30PMvideocam

Middle East

At least 16 dead in Iran during week of protests: rights groups

Rights groups report rising fatalities and hundreds of arrests in the biggest Iran protests in three years.

5 Jan 2026 - 10:01AM

Protesters in the Malekshahi district of Iran’s western Ilam province, in UGC images published on January 3. Photo: UGC via AFP

China energy security

Maduro capture: is the US trying to grab control of the global oil market?

Removal of Venezuelan leader could be part of US effort to regain global pricing power as petrodollar system comes under strain: analysts.

4 Jan 2026 - 9:42PM

In a photo released by the White House, US President Donald Trump monitors American military strikes on Venezuela from his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida on June 3. Photo: AP

Britain

Iranian diaspora in UK rallies in London to support protesters in Iran

Pro-democracy demonstrators gathered outside Downing Street for the rally organised by the Association of Anglo-Iranian Women in the UK.

4 Jan 2026 - 7:26AM

Donald Trump

‘Peace President’ Trump embraces war: Maduro captured, Nigeria hit, Iran warned

Despite Nobel Peace Prize ambitions, Trump opens 2026 with strikes in Venezuela after a Christmas Day hit on Nigeria.

4 Jan 2026 - 1:32AM

Middle East

Khamenei demands Iran rioters ‘be put in their place’ amid protests, Trump warning

As Trump warns the US is ‘locked and loaded’ to intervene, Iran’s supreme leader blames foreign enemies and orders a crackdown on nationwide unrest.

3 Jan 2026 - 8:27PMvideocam

Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei speaks at a meeting, in Tehran, Iran on Saturday. Photo: Office of the Iranian Supreme Leader/AP

China’s military drills

China to lead joint naval drills with Brics nations in South African waters

It is the first defence cooperation under the Brics framework, with the Russian and Iranian navies reportedly taking part.

3 Jan 2026 - 2:02PMvideocam

Next week’s joint exercise is seen as part of a wider trend of expanding Chinese military engagement. Photo: Reuters

United States

Trump and Iran official exchange threats after protests turn deadly

Trump says US will come to their rescue if ‘peaceful protesters killed’ while Iran’s ex-parliament speaker blames US and Israel for unrest.

3 Jan 2026 - 7:53AMvideocam

Middle East

At least 7 reported killed in Iran as unrest spreads beyond capital

Deaths may mark the start of a heavier-handed response by Iran over demonstrations which started in Tehran and have emerged elsewhere.

2 Jan 2026 - 2:13PM

Middle East

Iran executions hit 35-year high with 1,500 killed in 2025: rights group

Drug offenses fuel ‘unprecedented’ surge as Tehran uses capital punishment to ‘create fear’, says rights activist.

1 Jan 2026 - 11:07PM

Faces and stories of Iranians who have been executed as political prisoners by their government are displayed at a protest outside UN headquarters in New York in September 2025. Photo: AP

China trade

How the ‘world’s supermarket’ rode out Trump’s tariffs – and grew even stronger

Yiwu, one of China’s biggest export hubs, was expected to take a hit from US tariffs. Instead, it has seen trade surge.

1 Jan 2026 - 10:39PMvideocam

Middle East

Students join protests in Iran as economic hardship fuels discontent

Iran’s leadership acknowledges protests stem from economic pressures as currency hits a record low.

31 Dec 2025 - 11:35PM

Middle East

‘Hell to pay’: Trump warns Hamas and Iran after talks with Netanyahu

Trump presses for Hamas disarmament in Gaza, warns Iran of further US action if it reconstitutes nuclear programme.

30 Dec 2025 - 4:49PM

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump after meeting at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach, Florida. Photo: Reuters

Currencies

Iran’s president urges dialogue as currency plunge sparks protests

Anger over Iran’s worsening economic situation pushes people onto the streets in Tehran and other cities.

30 Dec 2025 - 4:19PM

Iranian shopkeepers and traders protest against economic conditions as tear gas is fired by anti-riot police in Tehran on Monday. Photo: EPA

Israel-Gaza war

Trump and Netanyahu to discuss next phase of Gaza plan during US visit

Israel’s prime minister is making his fifth visit to see Trump in the United States this year.

29 Dec 2025 - 4:29PM

Russia

Iran launches 3 satellites into space from Russia

Iran’s space programme and related entities have been targeted by US sanctions, but Iran insists the satellites are intended for ‘observation’.

29 Dec 2025 - 12:31PM

Middle East

Iran and Gaza plan to top agenda for Netanyahu-Trump meeting

The Israeli prime minister is set to visit Washington to discuss the next phase of Trump’s Gaza plan with his key US ally.

23 Dec 2025 - 1:18PM

US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem in October. Photo: AFP

Israel-Iran conflict

Man executed in Iran for spying for Israel tortured to confess: rights group

The 27-year-old, arrested while taking pictures of a military headquarters, was accused of executing over 200 similar assignments for Mossad.

20 Dec 2025 - 2:57PM

Israeli air defence systems intercept Iranian missiles over the Israeli city of Tel Aviv early on June 18. Photo: AFP

Americas and the Caribbean

Trump’s Venezuela ‘blockade’ raises legal questions as US masses forces

With an unusually large US military presence near Venezuela, observers warn of tactics that stretch the bounds of international law.

19 Dec 2025 - 3:18PM

SCMP Highlights

US ‘seizes’ Chinese cargo, Mexico stands by tariffs: SCMP daily highlights

From US reportedly confiscating Chinese cargo bound for Iran to support for returning overseas students, here’s a round-up from today’s coverage.

16 Dec 2025 - 9:15PM

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Iran

.css-1m2rp1p{color:#34b8b5;}Opinion | Maduro’s fate in Venezuela hardens North Korea’s nuclear resolve

It confirms Pyongyang’s belief that leaders seen as thorns in the US side who lack nuclear weapons ultimately fall victim to US intervention.

US allies Saudi Arabia, UAE risk a split in Middle East over competing visions

US won’t rule out pressuring Venezuela to curb China, Russia ties

Opinion | Why Asia should be concerned about the US attack on Venezuela

Venezuela matters less as a case in itself than as a signal of how energy is being repositioned amid intensifying US-China competition.

The Maduro effect: US raid accelerates Asia’s drift away from Washington

Cambodia, Laos and North Korea are expected to tighten their embrace of Moscow and Beijing amid growing distrust of the US.

Why Iran may not be the next Venezuela despite twin threat of protests and Trump

The volatile situation in the Middle East and the greater role played by China in the region may give the US pause for thought.

Iran protests death toll hits 35 and 1,200 detained, activists say

Iran’s judiciary vows ‘no leniency’ for rioters as nationwide unrest enters its second week.

China’s reliance on energy imports

US actions in Venezuela highlight China’s dependence on foreign oil and show why geopolitical risks are spurring its efforts to lower energy imports even as its economy grows.

North Korea doubles down with missile test, slams ‘US hegemony’ over Maduro

The test also appears to indicate Pyongyang’s objection to South Korean President Lee Jae Myung’s visit to Beijing.

At least 16 dead in Iran during week of protests: rights groups

Rights groups report rising fatalities and hundreds of arrests in the biggest Iran protests in three years.

Maduro capture: is the US trying to grab control of the global oil market?

Removal of Venezuelan leader could be part of US effort to regain global pricing power as petrodollar system comes under strain: analysts.

Iranian diaspora in UK rallies in London to support protesters in Iran

Pro-democracy demonstrators gathered outside Downing Street for the rally organised by the Association of Anglo-Iranian Women in the UK.

‘Peace President’ Trump embraces war: Maduro captured, Nigeria hit, Iran warned

Despite Nobel Peace Prize ambitions, Trump opens 2026 with strikes in Venezuela after a Christmas Day hit on Nigeria.

Khamenei demands Iran rioters ‘be put in their place’ amid protests, Trump warning

As Trump warns the US is ‘locked and loaded’ to intervene, Iran’s supreme leader blames foreign enemies and orders a crackdown on nationwide unrest.

China to lead joint naval drills with Brics nations in South African waters

It is the first defence cooperation under the Brics framework, with the Russian and Iranian navies reportedly taking part.

Trump and Iran official exchange threats after protests turn deadly

Trump says US will come to their rescue if ‘peaceful protesters killed’ while Iran’s ex-parliament speaker blames US and Israel for unrest.

At least 7 reported killed in Iran as unrest spreads beyond capital

Deaths may mark the start of a heavier-handed response by Iran over demonstrations which started in Tehran and have emerged elsewhere.

Iran executions hit 35-year high with 1,500 killed in 2025: rights group

Drug offenses fuel ‘unprecedented’ surge as Tehran uses capital punishment to ‘create fear’, says rights activist.

How the ‘world’s supermarket’ rode out Trump’s tariffs – and grew even stronger

Yiwu, one of China’s biggest export hubs, was expected to take a hit from US tariffs. Instead, it has seen trade surge.

Students join protests in Iran as economic hardship fuels discontent

Iran’s leadership acknowledges protests stem from economic pressures as currency hits a record low.

‘Hell to pay’: Trump warns Hamas and Iran after talks with Netanyahu

Trump presses for Hamas disarmament in Gaza, warns Iran of further US action if it reconstitutes nuclear programme.

Iran’s president urges dialogue as currency plunge sparks protests

Anger over Iran’s worsening economic situation pushes people onto the streets in Tehran and other cities.

Trump and Netanyahu to discuss next phase of Gaza plan during US visit

Israel’s prime minister is making his fifth visit to see Trump in the United States this year.

Iran launches 3 satellites into space from Russia

Iran’s space programme and related entities have been targeted by US sanctions, but Iran insists the satellites are intended for ‘observation’.

Iran and Gaza plan to top agenda for Netanyahu-Trump meeting

The Israeli prime minister is set to visit Washington to discuss the next phase of Trump’s Gaza plan with his key US ally.

Man executed in Iran for spying for Israel tortured to confess: rights group

The 27-year-old, arrested while taking pictures of a military headquarters, was accused of executing over 200 similar assignments for Mossad.

Trump’s Venezuela ‘blockade’ raises legal questions as US masses forces

With an unusually large US military presence near Venezuela, observers warn of tactics that stretch the bounds of international law.

US ‘seizes’ Chinese cargo, Mexico stands by tariffs: SCMP daily highlights

From US reportedly confiscating Chinese cargo bound for Iran to support for returning overseas students, here’s a round-up from today’s coverage.

Opinion | Maduro’s fate in Venezuela hardens North Korea’s nuclear resolve