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Middle East

Middle East
Middle East
The latest news, analysis and opinion on Middle East. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.
A view of the Dubai skyline in the United Arab Emirates. Photo: Getty Images
Banking & finance

Hong Kong, UAE solidify financial links with regulatory ties, digital currency

Transaction volume under Project mBridge surged over 2,500-fold from the early 2022 pilot levels to more than US$55 billion by November 2025.

Iran

‘I am getting more scared’: Tehranis brace for ‘inevitable’ US-Iran war

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Israel

US ambassador says Israel has right to much of Middle East, sparking uproar

Protests around the world

30 people in Iran face death penalty after protests, Amnesty says

A death sentence has been passed in eight cases, while two minors are among the 22 other cases before the courts.

Iranians attend an anti-government protest in Tehran on January 9. Photo: AP
US-Iran tensions

How Trump’s threatened strikes on Iran could backfire

Instead of pushing Tehran towards a nuclear deal, bombing the country could set off a deadly cycle of retaliation, analysts warn.

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US-Iran tensions

Trump weighs limited strike on Iran, as Tehran says draft deal coming soon

The US president has warned that ‘bad things’ will happen if an agreement to curb Iran’s nuclear programme is not reached soon.

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Turkey

6 Europeans activists held in Turkey while investigating prison conditions

Their arrest came on the same day that police detained a Turkish journalist working for Deutsche Welle for ‘spreading false news’.

A high-security prison is seen in the border city of Edirne, Turkey. Photo: Reuters
US-China relations

PLA, Chinese firm release images showing US military build-up around Iran

Imagery of combat aircraft and support planes at bases in the region comes amid reports that Washington appears ready to strike Tehran.

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Israel-Gaza war

‘Plan B is war’: Gaza truce faces late April test despite Trump’s peace push

Observers say the unresolved question of Hamas’ disarmament leaves the fragile truce vulnerable to collapse.

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Electric & new energy vehicles

Geely’s Zeekr shifts into Italy as China’s European EV push gathers speed

The carmaker is pressing ahead despite tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles, betting on demand for high-spec models.

Zeekr is betting on European demand for high-spec models in its foray into Italy. Photo: Getty Images
Indonesia

Indonesia seals ‘great’ US trade deal, agrees to send 8,000 troops to Gaza

A US general said Jakarta will take a deputy commander role in the international stabilisation force in Gaza.

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Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto (centre) attends the inaugural meeting of the “Board of Peace” in Washington on Thursday. Photo: Getty Images/AFP
Donald Trump

Trump appears to set short deadline for Iran, warning of ‘bad things’

US president said he will decide within the next 10 to 15 days whether or not to strike Iran.

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Israel-Gaza war

Trump’s ‘Board of Peace’ debuts with Gaza pledge as war threat looms elsewhere

The US president gathers global allies to fund Gaza’s reconstruction while issuing a final 10-day warning to Iran.

Israel-Gaza war

Can Trump’s Board of Peace succeed while Hamas still runs Gaza?

Hamas’ continuing influence over key Gaza power structures has fuelled widespread scepticism about the prospects of Trump’s peace plan.

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A Hamas police officer directs traffic in Gaza City on January 28. Photo: Reuters
Art

Qatar is making a bold new cultural play, from Art Basel to museums

All eyes are on the growing cultural scene in the Middle East, thanks in no small part to the inaugural Art Basel Qatar, held in Doha.

Palestinian artist Hazem Harb’s artwork on show at Art Basel Qatar, presented by Tabari Artspace, in February 2026. The debut of Art Basel Qatar signals Doha’s ambition to become the Middle East’s leading art hub. Photo: Art Basel
India

India-Europe trade corridor gathers pace as Modi, Macron pledge port partnership

The India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor is seen as an alternative to China’s Belt and Road Initiative.

Espionage

Iran sentences British world travellers to 10 years for spying

Lindsay and Craig Foreman were arrested while travelling through the country on a round-the-world trip, according to relatives.

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Iran

Satellite photos show Iran has been repairing and fortifying key sites

New satellite imagery offers a glimpse of Iranian activities as the White House warns it ‘would be very wise to make a deal’.

Ongoing efforts to harden and strengthen a facility’s two tunnel entrances at a complex near Nantanz. Photo: Vantor via Reuters
US military

US pulls forces from Syria as new government exerts control

The Syrian army has already taken control of Al-Tanf military base, ending an American military presence that lasted for a decade.

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Australia

Australian citizen in Syria with alleged Isis ties banned from returning home

This is the first known use of a temporary exclusion order introduced in 2019 to prevent high-risk citizens from returning to Australia.

South Korea

South Korea to observe first, decide later on Trump’s ‘Board of Peace’

A former South Korean ambassador to Egypt will be attending Thursday’s inaugural meeting in Washington.

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US President Donald Trump holds a signed resolution at the “Board of Peace” charter announcement in Davos on January 22. Photo: Reuters
Americas and the Caribbean

11 killed in US strikes on 3 more alleged drug boats

It was one of the deadliest days in the Trump administration’s months-long campaign, and brings the toll to at least 145 fatalities.

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The US military did not provide evidence that the vessels were ferrying drugs but posted videos on social media that showed boats being destroyed.
Israel

Creeping commitment? Israeli NGOs warn of plan to grow Jerusalem into West Bank

Around 2,780 housing units are planned for the Geva Binyamin settlement on the West Bank side of the separation barrier.

Iran

Iran fires missiles, Khamenei threatens to sink US warship amid nuclear talks

As the talks began, local media announced that Iran had fired live missiles towards the Strait of Hormuz.

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United States

Trump predicts Iran nuclear deal, warns of ‘consequences’ ahead of talks

After a summer of military strikes and stalled diplomacy, indirect negotiations between Washington and Tehran are set to resume on Tuesday.

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US President Donald Trump told reporters on Monday he would be “indirectly” involved in the Iran nuclear talks.. Photo: Getty Images/TNS
Israel-Gaza war

Hamas ‘used emojis’ to signal start of the October 7, 2023 attack on Israel

Citing the army, Israeli media reported that emojis were found on mobile phones belonging to members of Hamas’ elite Nukhba Forces unit.

Hamas militants in southern Gaza. On Monday, it was reported that the group used emojis to signal to its fighters the start of the attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. Photo: AFP
Iran

US lawmakers push for VPN funding so Iranians can access internet

Government officials have advocated for funding anticensorship technology to help Iranians access the internet amid the Islamic Republic’s restrictions.

US-Iran tensions

Iran’s foreign minister in Geneva for second round of talks with US

Talks will centre on Iran’s controversial nuclear programme, as the US deploys a second aircraft carrier to the region.

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