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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

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov speaks during a session at Antalya Diplomacy Forum in Antalya, Turkey on Saturday. Photo: Reuters

Donald Trump

Russia’s Lavrov says balance of power shifting to emerging economies

At the Antalya Diplomacy Forum in Turkey, Lavrov said the foundations of globalisation powered primarily by the US had ‘come to an end’.

4 hours agovideocam

US-EU relations

The rupture: how Europe fell out of love with America

3 hours agovideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

Closed? Open? Closed? Why is Iran changing course on the Strait of Hormuz?

3 hours agovideocam

China-Middle East relations

Lesson for China? Iran’s low-cost 358 missile takes out million-dollar US assets

Price of successful ‘drone killer’ said to be one-tenth that of conventional air-defence munitions with comparable range and firepower specs.

18 Apr 2026 - 9:30PM

The 358 missile, also known as the SA-67, weighs about 50kg (110lbs) and employs an infrared seeker for target guidance. Photo: Handout

Britain

UK’s counterterror police probe another London arson attack

The fire in Hendon on Friday follows another arson attack on a synagogue in nearby Finchley on Wednesday.

18 Apr 2026 - 8:47PM

US, Israel war on Iran

How China’s military could learn vital lessons from war in Iran

The US-Israeli attacks are a ‘massive learning opportunity’, a Middle East analyst tells a seminar held in Shenzhen.

18 Apr 2026 - 7:00PMvideocam

United States

Iran reimposes shipping restrictions on Strait of Hormuz

The waterway has ‘returned to its previous state’, Tehran says, accusing Washington of banditry and maritime piracy.

3 hours agovideocam

Shipping restrictions have changed again in the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important waterways. Photo: Reuters

US, Israel war on Iran

Iranians fear ‘pressure will 100% increase’ after US, Israeli strikes stop

Iranians are worried that an agreement with the US will free the regime to return to asserting control over its people.

18 Apr 2026 - 3:05PMvideocam

Banking & finance

Hong Kong wants to be a global gold vault. Does the Iran war create an opening?

Geopolitical risk is driving a rethink of where bullion is stored – and Hong Kong’s unique status is drawing attention.

18 Apr 2026 - 2:00PMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

Opinion | Passage through the Strait of Hormuz is a right in war and peace

Neutral ships have a legal right of passage, even in war. Singapore has defended international law, which provides for a stable world order.

18 Apr 2026 - 1:30PMvideocam

An illustration shows the Strait of Hormuz, which is bordered by Iran and Oman. Photo: Reuters

US-China relations

Trump predicts meeting with Xi will be ‘special’ ahead of China visit

The US leader said ‘much will be accomplished’, but one analyst says the war in Iran means he has ‘lost almost all his bargaining chips’.

18 Apr 2026 - 7:41PMvideocam

Xi and Trump pictured during their most recent meeting in South Korea last year. Photo: dpa

Malaysia

Gloves are off: Malaysian makers warn hospitals of price hikes, output cuts

Sustained disruption to naphtha supply chains from the Iran war could lead to glove shortfall by late May, analysts say.

18 Apr 2026 - 11:47AM

Japan

Japan warned of ‘hellish summer’ as energy fears mount

A prolonged Iran war, combined with an unusually early spell of hot weather, could leave Japan facing power shortages this summer.

18 Apr 2026 - 10:30AM

China-Africa relations

Why China is urgently looking to North Africa as the energy crisis rolls on

From Algerian oilfields to Moroccan battery factories and Egypt’s industrial base, Beijing may now fast-track projects across the region.

18 Apr 2026 - 9:00AMvideocam

Cargo ships in the Persian Gulf, near the Strait of Hormuz, as seen from northern Ras al-Khaimah, UAE, on March 11. Photo: Reuters

US, Israel war on Iran

Shock therapy: war forces oil-addicted Asia to finally go green

Burned by soaring energy prices, Southeast Asian nations are racing to future-proof themselves against the volatility of war.

18 Apr 2026 - 8:00AMvideocam

Floating solar panels are seen at a hydro-solar farm run by the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand in Ubon Ratchathani province. Photo: AFP

China manufacturing

Iran war energy shock sees Chinese firms recalibrate overseas expansion plans

Businesses are rethinking short-term strategies as they adapt to rising costs and slowing growth across major economies.

18 Apr 2026 - 6:33AMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

Iran war: France and UK to lead ‘defensive’ force for Strait of Hormuz

Trump, meanwhile, says he received a Nato offer to help secure the key waterway but told the alliance to ‘STAY AWAY’.

18 Apr 2026 - 1:35AM

US, Israel war on Iran

Turkey’s Erdogan urges Iran, US to use ceasefire to push for lasting peace

At the Antalya Diplomacy Forum in Turkey, Erdogan also stressed the importance of acting with ‘prudent understanding’ to end the Iran war.

17 Apr 2026 - 11:20PM

Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan gives a speech during the Antalya Diplomacy Forum, in Antalya, southern Turkey, on Friday. Photo: AP

US, Israel war on Iran

Iran, US say Strait of Hormuz is fully open to commercial vessels

Move eases oil fears, but US’ Iran blockade remains amid questions over enforcement and China’s role, as Trump claims to have ended 10 wars.

18 Apr 2026 - 7:47AMvideocam

China exports

Iran war energy shock threatens Southeast Asia’s supply chains. A win for China?

US and European importers are shifting some orders back to China – but not everyone is optimistic.

17 Apr 2026 - 9:30PMvideocam

United States

Iran has opened Strait of Hormuz but will the US ease its economic squeeze?

Chinese analysts say Tehran has long shown resilience in the face of sanctions and other US tactics.

17 Apr 2026 - 11:30PMvideocam

With a two-week ceasefire to expire next week, US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth says the US will attack Iran’s civilian infrastructure if diplomatic efforts fail. Photo: AFP

Science

Chinese trucks could go 100% electric, halving road transport oil use: industry

China’s industrial supply chains and engineering expertise provide a distinct competitive advantage, CiDi CEO Albert Hu says.

17 Apr 2026 - 9:00PMvideocam

Diesel heavy trucks are responsible for about 50 per cent of all diesel and petroleum consumed in China’s road transport sector, according to Sany Truck chairman Liang Linhe. Photo: AFP

US, Israel war on Iran

Lebanon becomes key to Iran-US peace talks amid fears of Israel’s ‘hegemony’

Pakistan is the regional go-between to help maintain the 10-day ceasefire in Lebanon and push for a conclusive deal to end the Iran war.

17 Apr 2026 - 9:00PM

Cathay Pacific

Cathay Pacific, HK Express passenger counts rise despite impact of Mideast war

Group attributes growth to spate of mega-events in city, such as Art Basel and Hong Kong International Jewellery Show.

17 Apr 2026 - 10:44PM

US, Israel war on Iran

‘Everybody’s suffering’: Kazakhstan seeks UN reforms amid fragile Iran truce

President Tokayev told the Antalya Diplomacy Forum that multilateralism is being undermined as major decisions move outside the UN framework.

17 Apr 2026 - 7:49PMvideocam

Members of the UN Security Council attend a meeting at the UN headquarters on Tuesday. Photo: AP

Malaysia

Malaysia’s Anwar chats with US Muslim streamer – is it a populist move?

Anwar spoke with Sneako about issues ranging from Malaysia’s multi-religious society and Israel to the ‘very condescending’ American mindset.

17 Apr 2026 - 7:24PM

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim speaks with American streamer Sneako on a wide range of issues in Putrajaya on Friday. Photo: Kick/Sneako

US, Israel war on Iran

Asian airlines face ‘major headwind’ from jet fuel costs, forcing flight changes

Fuel has jumped from 25 per cent of total operating costs for airlines to nearly 45 per cent in a matter of weeks, analysts say.

17 Apr 2026 - 8:14PM

China's military weapons

Will South Korea’s ‘Goldilocks’ missile dent China’s Middle East arms ambitions?

The Cheongung-II has reportedly achieved a 96.7% intercept rate against Iranian drones and ballistic missiles.

17 Apr 2026 - 8:02PMvideocam

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Iran

Russia’s Lavrov says balance of power shifting to emerging economies

At the Antalya Diplomacy Forum in Turkey, Lavrov said the foundations of globalisation powered primarily by the US had ‘come to an end’.

The rupture: how Europe fell out of love with America

Closed? Open? Closed? Why is Iran changing course on the Strait of Hormuz?

Lesson for China? Iran’s low-cost 358 missile takes out million-dollar US assets

Price of successful ‘drone killer’ said to be one-tenth that of conventional air-defence munitions with comparable range and firepower specs.

UK’s counterterror police probe another London arson attack

The fire in Hendon on Friday follows another arson attack on a synagogue in nearby Finchley on Wednesday.

How China’s military could learn vital lessons from war in Iran

The US-Israeli attacks are a ‘massive learning opportunity’, a Middle East analyst tells a seminar held in Shenzhen.

Iran reimposes shipping restrictions on Strait of Hormuz

The waterway has ‘returned to its previous state’, Tehran says, accusing Washington of banditry and maritime piracy.

Iranians fear ‘pressure will 100% increase’ after US, Israeli strikes stop

Iranians are worried that an agreement with the US will free the regime to return to asserting control over its people.

Hong Kong wants to be a global gold vault. Does the Iran war create an opening?

Geopolitical risk is driving a rethink of where bullion is stored – and Hong Kong’s unique status is drawing attention.

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}Opinion | Passage through the Strait of Hormuz is a right in war and peace

Neutral ships have a legal right of passage, even in war. Singapore has defended international law, which provides for a stable world order.

Trump predicts meeting with Xi will be ‘special’ ahead of China visit

The US leader said ‘much will be accomplished’, but one analyst says the war in Iran means he has ‘lost almost all his bargaining chips’.

Gloves are off: Malaysian makers warn hospitals of price hikes, output cuts

Sustained disruption to naphtha supply chains from the Iran war could lead to glove shortfall by late May, analysts say.

Japan warned of ‘hellish summer’ as energy fears mount

A prolonged Iran war, combined with an unusually early spell of hot weather, could leave Japan facing power shortages this summer.

Why China is urgently looking to North Africa as the energy crisis rolls on

From Algerian oilfields to Moroccan battery factories and Egypt’s industrial base, Beijing may now fast-track projects across the region.

Shock therapy: war forces oil-addicted Asia to finally go green

Burned by soaring energy prices, Southeast Asian nations are racing to future-proof themselves against the volatility of war.

Iran war energy shock sees Chinese firms recalibrate overseas expansion plans

Businesses are rethinking short-term strategies as they adapt to rising costs and slowing growth across major economies.

Iran war: France and UK to lead ‘defensive’ force for Strait of Hormuz

Trump, meanwhile, says he received a Nato offer to help secure the key waterway but told the alliance to ‘STAY AWAY’.

Turkey’s Erdogan urges Iran, US to use ceasefire to push for lasting peace

At the Antalya Diplomacy Forum in Turkey, Erdogan also stressed the importance of acting with ‘prudent understanding’ to end the Iran war.

Iran, US say Strait of Hormuz is fully open to commercial vessels

Move eases oil fears, but US’ Iran blockade remains amid questions over enforcement and China’s role, as Trump claims to have ended 10 wars.

Iran war energy shock threatens Southeast Asia’s supply chains. A win for China?

US and European importers are shifting some orders back to China – but not everyone is optimistic.

Iran has opened Strait of Hormuz but will the US ease its economic squeeze?

Chinese analysts say Tehran has long shown resilience in the face of sanctions and other US tactics.

Chinese trucks could go 100% electric, halving road transport oil use: industry

China’s industrial supply chains and engineering expertise provide a distinct competitive advantage, CiDi CEO Albert Hu says.

Lebanon becomes key to Iran-US peace talks amid fears of Israel’s ‘hegemony’

Pakistan is the regional go-between to help maintain the 10-day ceasefire in Lebanon and push for a conclusive deal to end the Iran war.

Cathay Pacific, HK Express passenger counts rise despite impact of Mideast war

Group attributes growth to spate of mega-events in city, such as Art Basel and Hong Kong International Jewellery Show.

‘Everybody’s suffering’: Kazakhstan seeks UN reforms amid fragile Iran truce

President Tokayev told the Antalya Diplomacy Forum that multilateralism is being undermined as major decisions move outside the UN framework.

Malaysia’s Anwar chats with US Muslim streamer – is it a populist move?

Anwar spoke with Sneako about issues ranging from Malaysia’s multi-religious society and Israel to the ‘very condescending’ American mindset.

Asian airlines face ‘major headwind’ from jet fuel costs, forcing flight changes

Fuel has jumped from 25 per cent of total operating costs for airlines to nearly 45 per cent in a matter of weeks, analysts say.

Will South Korea’s ‘Goldilocks’ missile dent China’s Middle East arms ambitions?

The Cheongung-II has reportedly achieved a 96.7% intercept rate against Iranian drones and ballistic missiles.

Opinion | Passage through the Strait of Hormuz is a right in war and peace