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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.
Illustration: Craig Stephens
War and conflict

Opinion | 8 takeaways from the US-Iran war

From the rise of devastating asymmetric warfare to the crumbling of the US maritime hegemony and alliances, the war offers food for thought.

China-Middle East relations

At Summer Davos in China, Mideast firms look to next generation to save the Gulf

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US, Israel war on Iran

Rebuking Trump, US Senate joins House in vote to end Iran war

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US, Israel war on Iran

Trump touts Iran inspection deal as Tehran disputes claim

US president says Iran agreed to inspections ‘long into the future’, but Tehran says no decision has been made on IAEA access.

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US President Donald Trump claimed in a social media post on Tuesday that Iran had agreed to nuclear inspections into 'infinity'. Photo: AP
US, Israel war on Iran

Trump: ‘I will do what I have to do’ if Iran does not stick to deal

Trump said Iran must use money being unfrozen by the US to ‌buy food exclusively from America but Iran said it is under no such obligation.

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United States

Iran agrees to invite IAEA inspectors back, says US

This is ‘the first step in permanently ending a nuclear weapons programme in Iran’, said US Vice-President J.D. Vance.

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China jobs

China’s youth unemployment rate edges down in May as economic strains persist

Those aged 16 to 24 are still struggling to catch a break in the job hunt, a trend worsened by external wars and geopolitical strife.

People line up at career-guidance booths during a job fair in Beijing on March 14. Photo: Reuters
Malaysia

Malaysia’s nationwide diesel subsidy gets citizens all pumped up

Diesel is currently US$1.05 per litre in Peninsular Malaysia, compared to a subsidised price of 50 US cents in Sabah and Sarawak.

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Qatar

Qatar gas site blast leaves 13 dead, at least 66 injured

The explosion and fire in the world’s biggest LNG export plant came during restart operations. The dead were from India and Pakistan.

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Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong to roll out measures boosting offshore yuan trading in July

Government wants more listed firms trading stocks in renminbi and will use city’s hub status to help mainland Chinese firms expand overseas.

Hong Kong overtook Switzerland as the world’s largest cross-border wealth hub last year, with assets of US$2.95 trillion, according to a report by the Boston Consulting Group. Photo: May Tse
Fifa World Cup 2026

Revolutionary Guard claim is ‘outright lie’, says Iran’s football federation

The US claimed someone tied to the IRGC, under the guise of the Iranian federation chief, tried to board Iran’s team flight to Los Angeles.

Iran players pose for a team photo before their match against Belgium in Inglewood, Los Angeles on Sunday. Photo: Reuters
US, Israel war on Iran

Iran-US talks continue as Trump threat, Lebanon and Hormuz strain Swiss summit

Tehran’s delegation remains engaged in Switzerland despite initial walkout over white-hot social media warnings from Washington.

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Diplomacy

Opinion | China’s Iran strategy an exercise in power without projection

The Iran war may be remembered not just for who won or lost, but for how Beijing quietly altered the terms of great-power conduct.

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Israel-Gaza war

Israeli ‘smear campaign’ targets journalists, threatens safety, Al Jazeera says

Al Jazeera rejected Israeli accusations that one of its journalists, cameraman Ahmed Wishah, killed in Gaza a day earlier, was a Hamas operative.

A demonstrator holds a sign critical of US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a protest in solidarity with journalists in Gaza Strip and condemning the killing of Al Jazeera reporters days earlier, organised by journalists outside Egypt’s Press Syndicate in Cairo, on August 13 last year. Photo: AFP
Finland

Energy security fears drive global surge in orders for Chinese storage firms

In the first two weeks of June, Contemporary Amperex Technology Co Limited (CATL) bagged a combined 5.4 GWh of storage orders.

Envision’s logo appears on its building in Ordos, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China, June 12, 2026. Photo: Reuters
US, Israel war on Iran

Vance in Switzerland for US-Iran talks as Hormuz closed again

Making ‘progress’ on Tehran’s nuclear programme and Lebanon ceasefire are expected to top the agenda.

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US, Israel war on Iran

Trump threatens US tolls on Hormuz after Iran says strait is closed

Peace talks in Switzerland could be off to a rough start, with Tehran warning that Israel’s attacks in Lebanon must stop.

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Donald Trump

Trump escalates clash with Italy’s Meloni over G7 photo claim

The clash has opened an unusually personal rift between Trump and one of Europe’s most prominent right-wing leaders.

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US President Donald Trump speaks with Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni at the G7 summit in Evian, eastern France, on Tuesday. Photo: TNS
United States

US envoy Witkoff, Iranian minister to meet in Switzerland for talks

The development may signal that both sides intend to begin technical talks aimed at securing a permanent truce.

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Donald Trump

Trump unveils new Air Force One, as he plans trips to China and Turkey

The US president’s use of an aircraft – worth hundreds of millions of dollars – from Qatar has raised ethical and security concerns.

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US, Israel war on Iran

Iran floats insurance fees and asserts control over Hormuz

For many shippers and oil producers, the demand for mandatory insurance threatens to crystallise a worst-case scenario: tolls on the strait.

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Vessels are seen anchored in Bandar Abbas along the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday. Photo: ISNA via AFP
Banking & finance

Opinion | AI has been known to hallucinate. So have financial markets

Stock markets are booming on the assumption that US tech giants will deliver, but as liquidity becomes scarce, a reality check will ensue.

A sign displays outside Nasdaq on the day of SpaceX’s initial public offering in New York on June 12. Photo: Reuters
US, Israel war on Iran

Iran waives Strait of Hormuz fees during 60-day peace negotiation period

A total of 25 commercial vessels crossed the newly reopened strait on Thursday, the highest number since mid-April.

US, Israel war on Iran

2 wars later, US-Iran nuclear diplomacy returns to square one

Analysts say the new agreement returns to a familiar trade-off: nuclear curbs in exchange for sanctions relief and oil waivers.

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US, Israel war on Iran

Israel, Hezbollah agree to truce in Lebanon after fighting flares up, killing 47

The fresh clashes caused US-Iran talks in Switzerland planned for Friday to be delayed, with no new date announced.

Smoke rises near Beaufort Castle following an Israeli military strike in southern Lebanon. Photo: AP
Electric & new energy vehicles

Chinese EV makers debut right-hand drive models for Southeast Asian push

Chinese brands, including BYD, Jaecoo and Wuling Motors, captured 17.6 per cent of Indonesia’s car market in the first quarter of 2026.

A view of the show floor at the International Automotive and Supply Chain Expo in Hong Kong on Thursday. Photo: May Tse
US, Israel war on Iran

After US-Iran deal, Israel rules out troop withdrawal from southern Lebanon

Fighting persists in Lebanon as both Israel and Hezbollah ignore the new US-Iran framework agreement.

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War and conflict

Editorial | US and Iran have reasons to stay the course for peace

The agenda confronting negotiators over the next 60 days is challenging, and hardliners are critical, but the dawn of peace seems to be emerging.

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