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Middle East

The latest news, analysis and opinion on Middle East. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.

Southeast Asian foreign ministers pose for a group photo ahead of the plenary session of the 58th Asean Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Kuala Lumpur on July 9, 2025. From left: Thailand’s Maris Sangiampongsa, Vietnam’s Bui Thanh Son, Malaysia’s Mohamad Hasan, the Philippines’ Theresa Lazaro, Brunei’s Erywan Yusof, Cambodia’s Prak Sokhonn and Myanmar’s representative Kyaw Nyun Oo. Photo: EPA

Asean leaders renew call to revive stalled peace plan for Myanmar

Asean foreign ministers continue to urge implementation of the Five-Point Consensus despite the junta’s refusal to cooperate.

5 minutes agovideocam

Asean accuses Israel of ‘openly committing genocide’, demands end to Gaza war

11 Jul 2025 - 1:52PM

US tech stocks remain top draw despite de-dollarisation trend, Swiss banks say

11 Jul 2025 - 7:30AM

Rescuers save 4 more survivors from Houthi-struck ship in Red Sea

The ship Eternity C was the second Greek bulk carrier sunk this week by the Iran-aligned rebels.

11 Jul 2025 - 7:23AMvideocam

A vessel said to be the Greek-operated, Liberia-flagged Eternity C sinks in footage released by Yemen’s Houthis on Wednesday. Photo: Houthi Media Centre via Reuters

Israel-Gaza war

EU and Israel agree to ‘expand’ Gaza aid access amid humanitarian crisis

The agreement promises a ‘substantial increase’ of aid and the reopening of routes from Jordan and Egypt to alleviate the dire conditions for Gaza’s two million residents.

10 Jul 2025 - 8:48PM

China-Middle East relations

China likely to strengthen backing for Iran as it looks to secure interests

With Iran ‘deeply tied’ to Chinese interests, analyst says it will be a balancing act for Beijing as it pursues regional stability.

10 Jul 2025 - 4:59PMvideocam

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Israel-Gaza war

US sanctions UN human rights expert critical of Israel’s war in Gaza

Francesca Albanese, who has called Israel’s Gaza war ‘genocidal’, dismisses US sanctions as ‘mafia style intimidation’.

10 Jul 2025 - 1:58PM

Smoke rises as a Palestinian man inspects the site of Israeli strikes on buildings at Gaza’s Old City market. Photo: Reuters

War and conflict

Ship attacked by Houthis sinks in Red Sea, 10 of 25 mostly Filipino crew rescued

Rescuers search for missing crew from Red Sea attack as US alleges Yemen rebels ‘kidnapped’ them.

10 Jul 2025 - 5:02PM

Israel-Gaza war

Hamas agrees to release 10 hostages in ‘difficult’ Gaza truce talks

The US has signalled its belief that an agreement for a 60-day ceasefire with Israel will be struck before the end of the week.

10 Jul 2025 - 2:21PM

Opinion | Iran’s eastward pivot: why China is now Tehran’s strategic default

Through its partnership with China and other members of the Brics grouping, Iran has a chance to redefine its role in the world system.

10 Jul 2025 - 5:30AMvideocam

From the left, United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly pose for a photo of heads of state and governments of member, partner and external engagement countries during the Brics summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on July 7. Brics leaders took aim at US President Donald Trump’s tariffs and recent Israeli-US strikes on Iran. Photo: AFP

The rise and rise of India’s luxury property market: ‘no plateau in sight’

Thriving luxury housing market signals shift in buyer behaviour seeking long-term value, but short-term bumps likely, analysts say.

9 Jul 2025 - 6:05PMvideocam

Artist impression of DLF Privana North, a residential project in Gurgaon, India. All the flats sold out within a week despite a minimum price tag of more than US$1 million. Photo: Handout

China digital currency

Opinion | Amid dollar disappointment, China opens new front with e-CNY push

Subtle shift under way as fintech merges with geopolitics: e-CNY is a way to evade US sanctions and dollar volatility but also carries risks.

9 Jul 2025 - 5:25PMvideocam

Belt and Road Initiative

China to speed up bullet-train connectivity with neighbours

High-speed railways will be a cornerstone of China’s Belt and Road, creating key transport arteries to set international railway standards.

8 Jul 2025 - 8:08PM

War and conflict

Ship attacked in Red Sea after Houthis claim earlier bulk carrier sinking

Liberian-flagged cargo ship hit Monday, marking the second assault on a vessel in about 24 hours.

8 Jul 2025 - 3:41PM

A crew member from the commercial ship Magic Seas is pictured after being rescued in the Red Sea following a recent attack that forced the vessel’s abandonment. Photo: UAE’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs via AFP

Israel-Gaza war

Israel’s Netanyahu says he nominated Trump for Nobel Peace Prize

At White House dinner, Israeli prime minister praises Trump for promoting peace efforts in multiple regions.

8 Jul 2025 - 9:59AM

US President Donald Trump having dinner with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House. Photo: AFP

US revoking ‘terrorist’ designation for Syria’s HTS

Syria’s new leadership has sought to rebuild ties with the international community.

8 Jul 2025 - 12:15PM

Israel-Iran conflict

‘They did try’: Iranian president says Israel attempted to assassinate him

Iran’s Pezeshkian tells Tucker Carlson about alleged attempt on his life, and blames Israel’s Netanyahu for ‘forever wars’ in Middle East.

8 Jul 2025 - 3:56PM

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‘Scared every morning’: Saudi Arabia’s executions hit record high, Amnesty says

Saudi Arabia executed 345 people last year, mainly for drug offences, despite Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s pledge to limit death penalties to homicides.

7 Jul 2025 - 5:20PMvideocam

Saudi executions hit record high, driven by drug offences, despite i Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s reform claims, Amnesty warns. Photo: AP

What can South Korea learn from Israel-Iran war for its own air defence?

Even Israel’s advanced Iron Dome defence system was pierced by Iranian projectiles, highlighting vulnerabilities Seoul must now confront.

7 Jul 2025 - 9:41AMvideocam

Israeli military strikes targets at Houthi-controlled ports in Yemen

Two missiles were launched from Yemen towards Israel just hours later, the Israeli army said.

7 Jul 2025 - 10:54AM

Israel-Gaza war

Israel’s Netanyahu says he believes Trump can help seal Gaza ceasefire deal

US president says deal could lead to the release of ‘quite a few hostages’ as sides weigh 60-day truce.

7 Jul 2025 - 9:16AM

Israeli soldiers operating in Gaza, as seen from the Israeli side of the border. Photo: Reuters

China-Middle East relations

Brics leaders condemn strikes on Iran and tariffs, but avoid direct mention of US, Israel

Brics nations meeting in Brazil take aim at ‘unilateral tariff and non-tariff measures’, urge end to ‘the cycle of violence’ in the Middle East.

7 Jul 2025 - 4:59PMvideocam

Brics offered symbolic backing to Iran, condemning a series of military strikes on nuclear and other targets. Photo: Reuters

Crew abandons commercial ship attacked in the Red Sea, UK military says

Greek-operated bulk carrier Magic Seas attacked with gunfire and rocket-propelled grenades, bomb-carrying drone boats.

7 Jul 2025 - 2:51PM

Hezbollah will not disarm or surrender under threat from Israel

Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem said the Lebanese militant group will only disarm after Israel’s aggression stops first.

6 Jul 2025 - 5:52PM

Israel-Gaza war

Israel to send delegation to Gaza talks despite ‘unacceptable’ Hamas demands

The militants say they have responded to a US-backed ceasefire proposal in a ‘positive spirit’, but concerns over humanitarian aid remain.

6 Jul 2025 - 7:36AM

Protesters demand the end of the war and immediate release of hostages held by Hamas during a rally in Tel Aviv, Israel, on Saturday. Photo: AP

Israel-Iran conflict

Iran’s supreme leader makes first public appearance since war with Israel began

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, thought to have been under heavy security during the conflict, attended a mourning ceremony on the eve of Ashoura.

6 Jul 2025 - 12:25PMvideocam

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei waves to the audience during a mourning ceremony in Tehran. Photo: Supreme Leader’s office via AFP

Israel-Gaza war

Gaza Humanitarian Foundation says 2 US aid workers hurt in grenade attack

The injured Americans are receiving medical treatment after the incident at a food distribution site in Khan Younis.

6 Jul 2025 - 12:35AM

Supporters of Palestine Action arrested in London following terror ban

The ban makes membership of, or support for, the direct action group a criminal offence punishable by up to 14 years in prison.

5 Jul 2025 - 10:17PM

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