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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

Women talk in front of a banner depicting slain Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei kissing head of the late commander of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard expeditionary Quds Force, General Qassem Soleimani, in downtown Tehran on Monday. Photo: AP

US, Israel war on Iran

Trump sees progress as US and Iran hold talks in Qatar

Both sides agreed to establish a communication channel to report and record violations of their initial memorandum of understanding.

5 hours agovideocam

China-Japan relations

China’s pressure campaign tests Trump’s commitment to Japan

2 Jul 2026 - 4:25AMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

Ship runs aground in Strait of Hormuz, not using Iran-approved route: state TV

2 Jul 2026 - 2:53AM

China-EU relations

‘World without bearings’: Lorenzi sees economic conflict and unplottable fixes

Prominent French economist warns that Europe must reach strategic pact with Beijing and enact structural reforms as global order enters volatile era.

1 Jul 2026 - 10:49PM

People cool off near the Trocadero fountain in front of France’s Eiffel Tower last week during a heatwave. Jean-Herve Lorenzi, president of Le Cercle des economistes, contends that major European powers must reach a strategic agreement with China. Photo: Reuters

US, Israel war on Iran

US, Iran officials hold indirect talks in Qatar to try to end war: diplomat

US envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff are apparently not taking part in the technical talks. They met Qatar’s PM on Tuesday.

1 Jul 2026 - 11:55PM

US, Israel war on Iran

Iran prepares funeral for late supreme leader killed on war’s first day

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s public funeral will begin Saturday as Iran and the US observe a fragile ceasefire.

1 Jul 2026 - 3:16PM

US, Israel war on Iran

A US missile killed Iranian schoolchildren 4 months ago. Still, no one accepts blame

The Trump administration has yet to directly accept blame or release findings of a Pentagon investigation into the February 28 strike.

1 Jul 2026 - 2:15PM

Iranians search through the rubble in the aftermath of the February 28 strike on the school in Minab. Photo: Mehr News Agency via AP

China-Middle East relations

Wang Yi reaffirms support for Mideast talks in meeting with top Saudi diplomat

Chinese foreign minister calls for dialogue and tells counterpart that Beijing is ready to work with Riyadh to ease tensions in the region.

1 Jul 2026 - 5:22PM

US, Israel war on Iran

14 million barrels of stranded Iraq oil travels through Strait of Hormuz

Meanwhile, US envoys Steve ‌Witkoff and Jared Kushner are in Qatar to discuss the Middle East conflict with mediators.

30 Jun 2026 - 7:48PMvideocam

SCMP Highlights

Singapore’s founder praised in Europe; Pakistan’s submarine: 7 Asia highlights

From Pakistan rattling India with a new submarine to Bangkok’s ‘Hulk’ governor, here are a few highlights from SCMP’s recent Asia reporting.

30 Jun 2026 - 1:43PM

A woman sprays water to cool down the alley by her home in Leeds, northern England, on Thursday. Photo: AFP

Banking & finance

Charm offensive: Bahrain expands Hong Kong push to court mainland China capital

Gulf state leans on tax perks and tokenisation rules to position Hong Kong as its gateway to mainland China investors.

29 Jun 2026 - 2:01PM

Bahrain is hoping to attract foreign investors with financial deregulation. Photo: AP

The Philippines

Philippines becomes world’s top solar spender amid Middle East energy crisis

The rooftop solar rush has resulted in US$407 ‌million in panel imports from March to May, a 145 per cent increase from a year earlier.

29 Jun 2026 - 10:37AMvideocam

Australia

Australian energy exploration hits 10-year high as Asian gas demand surges

Spending is expected to increase to more than US$1 billion this year with drilling concentrated on Beetaloo, Otway Basin and Taroom Trough.

29 Jun 2026 - 8:58AMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

US and Iran pause strikes as Hormuz tests interim deal, Doha talks loom

Efforts to reopen the Strait without Iran’s oversight have sparked days of crossfire.

29 Jun 2026 - 8:49PM

Cargo ships wait off the coast of the Khor Fakkan Container Terminal along the Gulf of Oman. Commercial shipping through the nearby Strait of Hormuz has faced severe disruptions. Photo: AFP

China's military weapons

How is China shaping up in the global competition to sell air defence weapons?

After Paris arms fair, analysts expect Chinese systems to do well in the Global South but question their entry into Europe.

28 Jun 2026 - 10:00PMvideocam

Eurosam’s SAMP/T NG on display at the Eurosatory defence fair in Paris. Photo: Seong Hyeon Choi

Middle East

Aramco helicopter crash in Saudi Arabia kills all 14 on board

An investigation was opened into the cause of the crash near a major Saudi refinery in Ras Tanura.

29 Jun 2026 - 9:46AM

US, Israel war on Iran

Iran’s Guards say American bases will ‘experience hell’ amid US offensive

The escalating attacks threaten the fragile truce that had largely ended fighting in the Middle East.

28 Jun 2026 - 7:25PMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

Trump says US hit Iran again, may be ‘forced to militarily complete the job’

If that happened, the Islamic Republic would ‘no longer exist’, Trump warned, after reports that a tanker had been struck in Hormuz.

28 Jun 2026 - 7:51AMvideocam

A woman walks past a mural depicting a US aircraft carrier under missile attack in downtown Tehran, Iran, on June 8. Photo: AP

US, Israel war on Iran

Iran survived 3 months of war. Can it survive the aftermath?

US$270 billion in damage and 4 million citizens plunged into poverty may have broken Iran’s economy.

27 Jun 2026 - 1:41PMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

US strikes Iran after Trump says cargo ship attack violated ceasefire

US Central Command says missile, drone and radar sites were hit after Tehran was accused of targeting vessel in Strait of Hormuz.

27 Jun 2026 - 7:25AMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

When geography is destiny, Gulf states must diversify their defence, expert says

World Economic Forum meeting also told Iran’s leadership now views economic survival – not geopolitical ambition – as primary priority.

26 Jun 2026 - 8:00PMvideocam

The United Arab Emirates and other Gulf states must help shape the outcome of the Iran war, says Sanam Vakil, director of the Middle East and North Africa Programme at Chatham House. Photo: 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.

29 Jun 2026 - 9:31AMvideocam

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

China exports

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

Traders and logistics companies fear disrupted supply chains and doubts about the agreement’s durability will continue to weigh on business decisions.

26 Jun 2026 - 3:06PMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

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

Chinese political scientist Yan Xuetong notes that the foundations of peace in the region ‘are stronger than those in Europe’.

26 Jun 2026 - 2:00PM

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.

26 Jun 2026 - 12:14PM

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.

30 Jun 2026 - 6:20PM

The Hainan province pavilion in the healthy life exhibition area at this week’s China International Supply Chain Expo in Beijing. Photo: Xinhua

US, Israel war on Iran

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

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

26 Jun 2026 - 7:53PMvideocam

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

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Iran

Trump sees progress as US and Iran hold talks in Qatar

Both sides agreed to establish a communication channel to report and record violations of their initial memorandum of understanding.

China’s pressure campaign tests Trump’s commitment to Japan

Ship runs aground in Strait of Hormuz, not using Iran-approved route: state TV

‘World without bearings’: Lorenzi sees economic conflict and unplottable fixes

Prominent French economist warns that Europe must reach strategic pact with Beijing and enact structural reforms as global order enters volatile era.

US, Iran officials hold indirect talks in Qatar to try to end war: diplomat

US envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff are apparently not taking part in the technical talks. They met Qatar’s PM on Tuesday.

Iran prepares funeral for late supreme leader killed on war’s first day

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s public funeral will begin Saturday as Iran and the US observe a fragile ceasefire.

A US missile killed Iranian schoolchildren 4 months ago. Still, no one accepts blame

The Trump administration has yet to directly accept blame or release findings of a Pentagon investigation into the February 28 strike.

Wang Yi reaffirms support for Mideast talks in meeting with top Saudi diplomat

Chinese foreign minister calls for dialogue and tells counterpart that Beijing is ready to work with Riyadh to ease tensions in the region.

14 million barrels of stranded Iraq oil travels through Strait of Hormuz

Meanwhile, US envoys Steve ‌Witkoff and Jared Kushner are in Qatar to discuss the Middle East conflict with mediators.

Singapore’s founder praised in Europe; Pakistan’s submarine: 7 Asia highlights

From Pakistan rattling India with a new submarine to Bangkok’s ‘Hulk’ governor, here are a few highlights from SCMP’s recent Asia reporting.

Charm offensive: Bahrain expands Hong Kong push to court mainland China capital

Gulf state leans on tax perks and tokenisation rules to position Hong Kong as its gateway to mainland China investors.

Philippines becomes world’s top solar spender amid Middle East energy crisis

The rooftop solar rush has resulted in US$407 ‌million in panel imports from March to May, a 145 per cent increase from a year earlier.

Australian energy exploration hits 10-year high as Asian gas demand surges

Spending is expected to increase to more than US$1 billion this year with drilling concentrated on Beetaloo, Otway Basin and Taroom Trough.

US and Iran pause strikes as Hormuz tests interim deal, Doha talks loom

Efforts to reopen the Strait without Iran’s oversight have sparked days of crossfire.

How is China shaping up in the global competition to sell air defence weapons?

After Paris arms fair, analysts expect Chinese systems to do well in the Global South but question their entry into Europe.

Aramco helicopter crash in Saudi Arabia kills all 14 on board

An investigation was opened into the cause of the crash near a major Saudi refinery in Ras Tanura.

Iran’s Guards say American bases will ‘experience hell’ amid US offensive

The escalating attacks threaten the fragile truce that had largely ended fighting in the Middle East.

Trump says US hit Iran again, may be ‘forced to militarily complete the job’

If that happened, the Islamic Republic would ‘no longer exist’, Trump warned, after reports that a tanker had been struck in Hormuz.

Iran survived 3 months of war. Can it survive the aftermath?

US$270 billion in damage and 4 million citizens plunged into poverty may have broken Iran’s economy.

US strikes Iran after Trump says cargo ship attack violated ceasefire

US Central Command says missile, drone and radar sites were hit after Tehran was accused of targeting vessel in Strait of Hormuz.

When geography is destiny, Gulf states must diversify their defence, expert says

World Economic Forum meeting also told Iran’s leadership now views economic survival – not geopolitical ambition – as primary priority.

.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

Traders and logistics companies fear disrupted supply chains and doubts about the agreement’s durability will continue to weigh on business decisions.

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

Chinese political scientist Yan Xuetong notes that the foundations of peace in the region ‘are stronger than those in Europe’.

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

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

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.

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