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Turkey

Latest news and updates on the country which straddles both Europe and Asia.

Capital

Ankara

Head of State

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan

Head of Government

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan

The high-speed rail station at West Kowloon. Photo: Sam Tsang

Hong Kong economy

Amid Iran war, Hongkongers choose short-haul high-speed rail trips

With war raging in the Middle East, tickets for mainland Chinese destinations are being snapped up.

23 Mar 2026 - 1:22AM

Syria

Pregnant woman and 5 kids die in container fire in Turkey

20 Mar 2026 - 11:18PM

US, Israel war on Iran

‘Severely damaged’: how the US-Israel war on Iran is decoupling Gulf security

19 Mar 2026 - 10:00PMvideocam

Ukraine war

Kremlin says Ukraine peace talks on ‘situational pause’ amid Iran war

The Kremlin confirms halt as Russian newspaper claims the Middle East crisis could force Ukraine towards territorial compromise.

19 Mar 2026 - 6:20PM

A man walks past portraits of Russian soldiers in a St Petersburg street exhibition. Photo: AP

Pakistan

Video | Pakistan to pause Afghan strikes for Eid

The decision was made at the request of Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Turkey.

19 Mar 2026 - 11:43AM

Pakistan

Pakistan announces 5-day pause on Afghan strikes for Eid

The temporary ceasefire comes after Monday’s hospital strike, the deadliest in an escalating conflict between the two neighbours.

19 Mar 2026 - 11:43AMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

Iranian women footballers return home after withdrawing Australia asylum bids

Concerns over their safety surfaced when several players were called ‘wartime traitors’ for failing to sing the national anthem at a match.

18 Mar 2026 - 9:47PM

Members of the Iranian women’s national soccer team board a bus to the Turkish-Iranian border on Wednesday. Photo: Reuters

US, Israel war on Iran

Iran vows revenge for security chief Larijani’s killing as Israel hunts leader

Tehran’s ‘right-hand man’ dies in air strike as Israeli military spokesman issues warning for Mojtaba Khamenei.

18 Mar 2026 - 3:03PMvideocam

France

‘I’m not a spy’: Frenchman jailed for 10 years in Azerbaijan

Prosecutors say Martin Ryan passed on secrets about Azerbaijan, as well as Russian and Chinese firms, to the French security service.

16 Mar 2026 - 8:54PM

China trade

Strait of Hormuz marks first full day’s pause as no ships cross amid Iran war

Transits fell to zero on Saturday but vessels have clustered outside corridor, signalling expectations of reopening, analytics firm says.

16 Mar 2026 - 7:02PM

A man walks along the shore as oil tankers and cargo ships line up in the Strait of Hormuz, as seen from Khor Fakkan, the United Arab Emirates, on March 11, 2026. Photo: AP

US, Israel war on Iran

Letters | US has succeeded in plunging Middle East into dangerous conflict

Readers discuss the Middle East situation, helping young Hongkongers meet the AI challenge, and Hong Kong as an international city.

16 Mar 2026 - 11:30AM

A man walks along the shore as oil tankers and cargo ships line up in the Strait of Hormuz, as seen from Khor Fakkan port in the United Arab Emirates on March 11. Photo: AP

Iran

Why the Iran war marks a turning point for Gulf-Asia trade

The closure of the Middle East’s important straits – Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb – is forcing Gulf and Asian nations to explore other options.

15 Mar 2026 - 2:00PMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

Turkey says Iran feels ‘betrayed’ by US attacks during nuclear talks

Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan says Tehran still ‘open to any sensible backchannel diplomacy’, vows to keep Ankara out of the war.

15 Mar 2026 - 11:15AMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

Israel may commit ‘new genocide’ in Lebanon with Iran as pretext, Turkey warns

Lebanon was dragged into the conflict when Iran-backed Hezbollah attacked Israel in response to the killing of Supreme Leader Khamenei.

15 Mar 2026 - 1:40AMvideocam

An Israeli artillery unit fires towards southern Lebanon on Saturday. Photo: AFP

US, Israel war on Iran

Iran war entering ‘decisive phase’, Israel says, as attacks continue

Washington’s embassy in Iraq was hit by a drone, while clouds of black smoke rose over the Fujairah energy facility in the UAE.

14 Mar 2026 - 11:51PM

Smoke rises in the Fujairah oil industry zone, caused by debris after interception of a drone by air defences, according to the Fujairah media office, amid the US-Israel conflict with Iran, in Fujairah, the United Arab Emirates, on Saturday. Photo: Reuters

Pakistan

Afghan Taliban’s drone attacks on civilians ‘crossed red line’, Pakistan warns

Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari says the administration in Kabul has brought ‘grave consequences upon itself’.

14 Mar 2026 - 9:30PM

US, Israel war on Iran

Hamas calls on Iran to ‘avoid targeting neighbouring countries’

The Palestinian Islamist group also urges the international community to ‘work towards halting’ the ongoing war immediately.

14 Mar 2026 - 7:30PMvideocam

Israel-Gaza war

Trump’s Gaza plan ‘on hold’ as Iran war halts disarmament talks

The pause threatens to stall implementation of Trump’s flagship Middle East peace initiative.

10 Mar 2026 - 1:53PMvideocam

Palestinians walk past the rubble of residential buildings destroyed during the two-year Israeli offensive, in Jabalia, northern Gaza Strip. Photo: Reuters

US, Israel war on Iran

Ships brandish China links to evade Iran’s attacks in Strait of Hormuz

Vessels are claiming to have an ‘all-Chinese crew’ or ‘Chinese owner’ in a bid to reduce the risk of being targeted.

10 Mar 2026 - 1:52AMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

Nato intercepts Iran missile fired towards Turkey

There was a similar incident last week, with the latest Nato interception coming amid Iran’s targeting of several nations as it retaliates.

9 Mar 2026 - 10:55PMvideocam

Malaysia

Malaysia vows to hold petrol prices as Iran war pushes oil past US$100

Malaysia’s prime minister guarantees citizens that RON95 petrol will remain at 1.99 ringgit despite the US-Israel war on Iran.

9 Mar 2026 - 2:11PMvideocam

Fuel pump nozzles are seen at a petrol station in Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia. Photo: AFP

Middle East

Demand for change in Turkey cannot be stopped, jailed Istanbul mayor says

Support for the opposition has been growing, amid increasing fatigue with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s rule, Ekrem Imamoglu says.

8 Mar 2026 - 3:50PM

A supporter of Turkey’s main opposition CHP holds a poster of jailed Istanbul mayor Ekrem Imamoglu with a slogan reading “CHP will succeed, Turkey will win!”, during a rally in Istanbul in November 2025. Photo: Reuters

Iran

How far could the war with Iran spread beyond the Middle East?

From Turkey and the Caucasus to South Asia, analysts warn the war could ignite new flashpoints along regional fault lines.

6 Mar 2026 - 6:29PMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

Azerbaijan vows to respond after Iranian drones injure 4

Azerbaijan and Iran already have tense ⁠relations over Baku’s growing economic, energy and military ties to Turkey and Israel.

5 Mar 2026 - 8:33PM

Hong Kong tourism

Hong Kong trying to secure seats on flights from Dubai for stranded residents

Carrier Emirates is planning to operate direct flights from Dubai to Hong Kong from Friday to Sunday, government says.

6 Mar 2026 - 10:49AMvideocam

Emirates aircraft remain parked on the tarmac at Dubai International Airport, with Hongkongers among those stranded and struggling to return home from the Middle East amid the escalating conflict in the region. Photo: AFP

US, Israel war on Iran

A guide to how the Iran war has ricocheted across the Middle East and beyond

From sunken warships to closed airspaces, here is a country-by-country breakdown of the conflict’s impact so far.

5 Mar 2026 - 10:01AMvideocam

Exposing himself to the danger of unexploded ordnance, a boy tries to climb on an Iranian projectile that landed in an open field in the outskirts of Qamishli, eastern Syria. Photo: AP

Israel-Iran conflict

Turkey says missile launched from Iran destroyed by Nato

A Turkish official said the missile had been ‘aimed at a base in Greek Cyprus but veered off course’.

5 Mar 2026 - 12:40AM

US, Israel war on Iran

US and Kurds discuss potential Iran military operation: sources

The prospect of Kurdish groups operating inside Iran signals US consideration for a ground uprising.

4 Mar 2026 - 12:33PMvideocam

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Turkey

Amid Iran war, Hongkongers choose short-haul high-speed rail trips

With war raging in the Middle East, tickets for mainland Chinese destinations are being snapped up.

Pregnant woman and 5 kids die in container fire in Turkey

‘Severely damaged’: how the US-Israel war on Iran is decoupling Gulf security

Kremlin says Ukraine peace talks on ‘situational pause’ amid Iran war

The Kremlin confirms halt as Russian newspaper claims the Middle East crisis could force Ukraine towards territorial compromise.

.css-1t72pn8{color:#C79A00;}Video | Pakistan to pause Afghan strikes for Eid

The decision was made at the request of Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Turkey.

Pakistan announces 5-day pause on Afghan strikes for Eid

The temporary ceasefire comes after Monday’s hospital strike, the deadliest in an escalating conflict between the two neighbours.

Iranian women footballers return home after withdrawing Australia asylum bids

Concerns over their safety surfaced when several players were called ‘wartime traitors’ for failing to sing the national anthem at a match.

Iran vows revenge for security chief Larijani’s killing as Israel hunts leader

Tehran’s ‘right-hand man’ dies in air strike as Israeli military spokesman issues warning for Mojtaba Khamenei.

‘I’m not a spy’: Frenchman jailed for 10 years in Azerbaijan

Prosecutors say Martin Ryan passed on secrets about Azerbaijan, as well as Russian and Chinese firms, to the French security service.

Strait of Hormuz marks first full day’s pause as no ships cross amid Iran war

Transits fell to zero on Saturday but vessels have clustered outside corridor, signalling expectations of reopening, analytics firm says.

.css-19im5qg{color:#c79a00;}Letters | US has succeeded in plunging Middle East into dangerous conflict

Readers discuss the Middle East situation, helping young Hongkongers meet the AI challenge, and Hong Kong as an international city.

Why the Iran war marks a turning point for Gulf-Asia trade

The closure of the Middle East’s important straits – Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb – is forcing Gulf and Asian nations to explore other options.

Turkey says Iran feels ‘betrayed’ by US attacks during nuclear talks

Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan says Tehran still ‘open to any sensible backchannel diplomacy’, vows to keep Ankara out of the war.

Israel may commit ‘new genocide’ in Lebanon with Iran as pretext, Turkey warns

Lebanon was dragged into the conflict when Iran-backed Hezbollah attacked Israel in response to the killing of Supreme Leader Khamenei.

Iran war entering ‘decisive phase’, Israel says, as attacks continue

Washington’s embassy in Iraq was hit by a drone, while clouds of black smoke rose over the Fujairah energy facility in the UAE.

Afghan Taliban’s drone attacks on civilians ‘crossed red line’, Pakistan warns

Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari says the administration in Kabul has brought ‘grave consequences upon itself’.

Hamas calls on Iran to ‘avoid targeting neighbouring countries’

The Palestinian Islamist group also urges the international community to ‘work towards halting’ the ongoing war immediately.

Trump’s Gaza plan ‘on hold’ as Iran war halts disarmament talks

The pause threatens to stall implementation of Trump’s flagship Middle East peace initiative.

Ships brandish China links to evade Iran’s attacks in Strait of Hormuz

Vessels are claiming to have an ‘all-Chinese crew’ or ‘Chinese owner’ in a bid to reduce the risk of being targeted.

Nato intercepts Iran missile fired towards Turkey

There was a similar incident last week, with the latest Nato interception coming amid Iran’s targeting of several nations as it retaliates.

Malaysia vows to hold petrol prices as Iran war pushes oil past US$100

Malaysia’s prime minister guarantees citizens that RON95 petrol will remain at 1.99 ringgit despite the US-Israel war on Iran.

Demand for change in Turkey cannot be stopped, jailed Istanbul mayor says

Support for the opposition has been growing, amid increasing fatigue with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s rule, Ekrem Imamoglu says.

How far could the war with Iran spread beyond the Middle East?

From Turkey and the Caucasus to South Asia, analysts warn the war could ignite new flashpoints along regional fault lines.

Azerbaijan vows to respond after Iranian drones injure 4

Azerbaijan and Iran already have tense ⁠relations over Baku’s growing economic, energy and military ties to Turkey and Israel.

Hong Kong trying to secure seats on flights from Dubai for stranded residents

Carrier Emirates is planning to operate direct flights from Dubai to Hong Kong from Friday to Sunday, government says.

A guide to how the Iran war has ricocheted across the Middle East and beyond

From sunken warships to closed airspaces, here is a country-by-country breakdown of the conflict’s impact so far.

Turkey says missile launched from Iran destroyed by Nato

A Turkish official said the missile had been ‘aimed at a base in Greek Cyprus but veered off course’.

US and Kurds discuss potential Iran military operation: sources

The prospect of Kurdish groups operating inside Iran signals US consideration for a ground uprising.

Video | Pakistan to pause Afghan strikes for Eid

Letters | US has succeeded in plunging Middle East into dangerous conflict