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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.
Iranians take part in a demonstration against the United States in Tehran on Wednesday. Photo: EPA
US, Israel war on Iran

Iran endures 6 months of US strikes as Trump’s policy hits ‘Desperation Day’

‘I don’t think the administration is any closer to finding a way out of this,’ an ex-diplomat says, as Tehran bets time is on its side.

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US, Israel war on Iran

Trump declares ‘Mission Accomplished’ in Iran, as conflict drags on

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Hong Kong politics

Hong Kong lawmaker urges firms to expand into emerging markets amid US visa pause

US, Israel war on Iran

Iran and Oman reach Hormuz deal, but reopening hinges on US compliance

The Revolutionary Guards said the waterway ‘will ‌not be opened under any circumstances’ if Washington failed to accept the demands.

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Vessels in the Strait of Hormuz are seen near the beach of Bandar Abbas, Iran, on Wednesday. Photo: WANA via Reuters
US-China trade war

How will US ‘D-Day’ threat against Iranian economy impact China’s oil supply?

As northern hemisphere prepares for winter, analysts say latest US sanctions would not deter China from purchasing Iranian oil.

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China energy security

China’s CNOOC rakes in record first-half profit on high oil prices amid Iran war

China’s largest offshore oil and gas producer saw net profits jump over 23 per cent in the first half amid turbulence in the Middle East.

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Hong Kong society

‘Squeezed further’: calls for SME energy subsidies as power fuel surcharges soar

Industry leader urges relief for Hong Kong SMEs and household consumption vouchers to ease pressures and support local businesses.

HK Electric, which supplies electricity mainly to Hong Kong Island and Lamma Island, said that its fuel clause charge would rise to 60.7 Hong Kong cents per kWh in September. Photo: Sam Tsang
US, Israel war on Iran

US starts returning staff to some Middle East missions after war evacuations

US move signals lower risk of immediate regional escalation, though select missions will cap capacity at 75 to 85 per cent.

United States

US Secret Service says it is aware of Iranian video threat to Barron Trump

Iranian state TV airs video claiming tracking of US president’s 20-year-old son and offering US$10 million bounty for his killing.

US, Israel war on Iran

US ‘economic asphyxiation’ of Iran sends Tehranites queuing for petrol

Despite Iran’s decades of sanctions resilience, some residents fear the new measures could spark protests again.

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Drivers queue at a petrol station to refuel in Tehran, Iran, on Tuesday. Photo: AFP
Defence

Opinion | Could Mecca defence pact be first step to new Middle East order?

As security deal shakes up calculations for the US, China and Russia, a regional order shaped by regional states is no longer unthinkable.

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Illustration: Victor Sanjinez
US, Israel war on Iran

‘We’re paying the price’: Iran fury makes US a liability for some Kuwaitis

‘Targeting locations where the Americans are stationed has created fear and anxiety among residents,’ a Kuwaiti national says.

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China-Middle East relations

China’s J-16s face off against Egypt’s Rafales in combat drills as Iran war rumbles on

PLA pilots test strategic reach in 6,000km mission as Middle East conflict pushes Cairo and Beijing closer.

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Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong exports jump 50.7% in July, driven by growth in AI-related electronics

Government expects robust demand to continue supporting trade development despite geopolitical risks.

Exports surged by 53.4 per cent year on year to a record HK$641.1 billion in June. Photo: Eugene Lee
Israel

Israel’s strikes push Syria towards joining Mecca defence pact

Air strikes intended to curb Turkish expansion risk triggering the very encirclement Israel fears, analysts say.

Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani (left) shakes hands with his Pakistani counterpart Ishaq Dar in Islamabad on Thursday. Photo: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan / AFP
Israel

Netanyahu says Iran tried to kill one of his sons

Israeli leader gives no details on which son was targeted, though elder son Yair has lived under state protection in Miami.

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South Korea

South Korea pledges to help Trump revive talks with North Korea’s Kim

Trump’s recent olive branch to Kim and criticism ‌of Seoul have raised concerns of a strain on long-standing Asian alliances.

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Syria

US removes Syria from state sponsor of terrorism list in major diplomatic shift

Washington lifts decades-old designation, removing final barriers to foreign investment following Assad’s fall.

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Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa and US President Donald Trump meeting in Turkey. Photo: Reuters
US, Israel war on Iran

China vows to safeguard interests after ‘Economic D-Day’ sanctions over Iran ties

Washington warns Iran-linked entities face removal from US dollar system as Trump presses world leaders to cut financial ties.

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China-Middle East relations

China and Jordan call for Strait of Hormuz to get back to normal

The two sides also criticised Israel’s ‘dangerous escalatory actions’ following King Abdullah’s meeting with Xi Jinping in Beijing.

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South Korea

South Korea says US cut joint marine drill over Iran war constraints

The cancellation follows US President Donald Trump’s order last week to scale down the separate annual Ulchi Freedom Shield exercises.

A South Korean marine takes position during the “Ssangyong 2023 Exercise” joint landing operation by US and South Korean Marines in the southeastern port of Pohang in March 2023. Photo: AFP
Esports

Power-up: China’s Esports World Cup win a showcase for market potential

With the EWC being held outside Saudi Arabia for the first time, the US$4.3 billion industry looks to grow its market, including in China.

French President Emmanuel Macron presents the EWC 2026 Club champions award to Chinese club AG.AL at the closing ceremony of the Esports World Cup at the Grand Palais in Paris on Sunday. Photo: Reuters
Israel-Gaza war

Syria holds talks with Israel addressing de-escalation, Israel-Turkey tensions

A Syrian government source said Foreign Minister Assad al-Shaibani met the head of Israel’s Mossad intelligence agency, Roman Gofman.

France

Macron hosts Saudi’s crown prince for visit ranging from esports to Middle East

A French official said agreements, on health, transport and energy, will be signed on Monday alongside talks likely to focus on Iran.

Israel-Gaza war

US envoy walks back comments on Golan Heights that contradicted Trump’s position

Tom Barrack had said Israel ‘still’ occupies the territory but on Sunday said that was a description of the Golan Heights’ historical status.

Tom Barrack, US ambassador to Turkey and special envoy to Syria. Photo: AP
US, Israel war on Iran

Why Trump’s economic pain could spark more Iranian attacks on Gulf nations

The plan is likely to prompt Tehran to retaliate with military strikes across the Gulf in a bid to push up oil prices and force Trump to retreat.

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Copies of an Iranian newspaper displaying a picture of US President Donald Trump outside a kiosk in Tehran on Saturday. Photo: EPA
US, Israel war on Iran

Iran condemns US plans to announce new sanctions

Warning that nations joining the US ‘economic war’ would be deemed enemies, Iran said the move could affect trading partners including China.

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Israel

Israel targets ‘terrorist’ in southern Syria; Damascus condemns attack

Tensions between Israel and Syria flared this week after Israel bombed an airbase, a move ‌US special envoy Tom Barrack called ‘unnecessary’.

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