TOPIC

US-Iran tensions

US-Iran tensions

The latest news, analysis and opinion on US-Iran tensions. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.

last updated:

9 September, 2024

Illustration: Craig Stephens

Opinion | To truly make America great again, Trump must succeed in 2 things

Losing the power balance in a potentially rancorous cabinet or failing to win over Asia’s rising non-aligned powers would trip up his plans.

26 Jan 2025 - 8:31PMvideocam

Trump revokes protection for Covid adviser Fauci despite death threats

25 Jan 2025 - 4:03AMvideocam

Trump strips protection from ex-adviser Bolton, target of Iran murder plot

22 Jan 2025 - 6:45AMvideocam

Opinion | Why time is right to press Iran to give up its nuclear ambitions

Iran’s economic vulnerabilities, the region’s changing dynamics and a new reform-minded administration present an opportunity for a new deal.

18 Jan 2025 - 6:00AMvideocam

Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian meets International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) director general Rafael Mariano Grossi in Tehran, Iran, on November 14. Photo: Handout via Reuters

At UN, Israel accuses Hezbollah of trying to rebuild with Iran’s help

Israel’s UN ambassador urges action against arms smuggling amid 60-day ceasefire in Lebanon.

14 Jan 2025 - 9:57AMvideocam

Iran, European powers hold ‘constructive’ nuclear talks ahead of Trump return

Iran and European powers hold talks in Geneva on lifting sanctions and nuclear issues.

14 Jan 2025 - 12:40PM

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Italy releases Iranian wanted by US in deadly drone attack on troops

Iranian Mohammad Abedini was arrested in Italy last month at the behest of the US for supplying parts for drone used in 2024 attack.

13 Jan 2025 - 2:45PM

This satellite photo shows a military base known as Tower 22 in northeastern Jordan, where the 2024 drone attack occurred. File photo: Planet Labs PBC via AP

Iran to hold nuclear talks with France, Britain and Germany on January 13

The 3 European nations had accused Iran of growing its stockpile of high-enriched uranium to ‘unprecedented levels’.

2 Jan 2025 - 12:35AMvideocam

China-Middle East relations

Mideast and Trump front of mind as China, Iran foreign ministers meet

As Tehran’s proxies take big blows, the two sides find common ground on need for ceasefire in Gaza and help for Syria.

28 Dec 2024 - 10:00PMvideocam

Israel-Gaza war

3 dead in Israeli strikes on Yemen’s airport, ports and power stations

WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus says he was metres away from strike on airport.

27 Dec 2024 - 4:02AM

Smoke rises from Sana’a airport following Israeli strikes in the Yemen capital on Thursday. Photo: EPA-EFE

China-Middle East relations

China’s diplomatic clout in Mideast at risk as threats build around ally Iran

Trump factor and fall of Assad in Syria will force nations, including China, to reassess ties.

23 Dec 2024 - 4:36PMvideocam

In October, Chinese President Xi Jinping met Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on the sidelines of the 16th Brics summit in Kazan, Russia. Photo: Xinhua

Israel-Gaza war

Netanyahu vows to act with ‘force, determination’ against Yemen’s Houthis

Israeli prime minister makes statement a day after a missile fired from Yemen fell in the Tel Aviv area, injuring 16 people.

23 Dec 2024 - 12:13PM

US scraps US$10 million bounty on Syria’s new leader Ahmed al-Sharaa

Top US diplomat for the Middle East Barbara Leaf welcomed ‘positive messages’ from their talks, including a promise to fight terrorism.

21 Dec 2024 - 4:28AM

Opinion | How Biden’s memos can ensure continuity in US foreign policy under Trump

For the sake of national security, transition memos must offer a real road map on key specific foreign policy challenges, like the ones Bush did for Obama.

19 Dec 2024 - 8:30PMvideocam

US President Joe Biden with president-elect Donald Trump during a transition meeting at the Oval Office of the White House in Washington on November 13. Photo: White House / Zuma Press Wire / dpa

Iran confirms increase in IAEA nuclear inspections

Iran’s nuclear chief says ‘it is natural’ to increase the number of inspections with an increase to capacity and nuclear activities.

14 Dec 2024 - 6:59PM

An Iranian flag flies in front of the UN office building. Photo: Reuters

Biden says Assad’s fall a ‘fundamental act of justice’, but ‘a moment of risk’

The outgoing Biden administration and President-elect Donald Trump were working to make sense of new threats and opportunities across the Middle East.

9 Dec 2024 - 3:07PMvideocam

Hong Kong economy

Exclusive | Deepening Hong Kong, Iran ties show US curbs have ‘lost their potency’: envoy

Ambassador Mohsen Bakhtiar says measures have been taken to overcome sanctions restricting Iranian firms from accessing services in the city.

8 Dec 2024 - 4:37PM

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Iran says it conducted a successful space launch

Rocket carried an ‘orbital propulsion system’ and research payloads to a 400km orbit above the Earth.

6 Dec 2024 - 4:09PM

Iranian satellite carrier ‘Simorgh’ blasting off in January. File photo: Iran’s Ministry of Defence via Reuters

China-Middle East relations

Iran’s president vows greater cooperation with China and Russia

President Masoud Pezeshkian tells visiting Chinese Vice-Premier Zhang Guoqing Tehran is committed to their 25-year deal.

5 Dec 2024 - 8:47PMvideocam

Syrian conflict escalates as US-backed forces clash with Assad’s troops

The clashes come after rebel advances in Aleppo and Hama, highlighting the volatile situation in the region.

3 Dec 2024 - 8:30PM

‘Nixon in China’: can Trump and Iran reach a ‘grand bargain’ Middle East deal?

Officials are aiming to reach agreements to end the Israel-Gaza war and on Iran’s nuclear programme following the Lebanon ceasefire deal.

28 Nov 2024 - 4:40PMvideocam

Israeli soldiers visit the site where a house was damaged, after projectiles were fired across over to Israel from Lebanon. Photo: Reuters

Iran to hold nuclear talks in Geneva with European powers

Iran accelerated uranium enrichment plans after the UN atomic watchdog passed a resolution against Tehran.

24 Nov 2024 - 11:19PM

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian (right) meeting with International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi (left) in Tehran, Iran, on November 14. Photo: EPA-EFE

Iran plans to activate thousands of centrifuges after IAEA dispute

According to media reports, Tehran plans on installing the devices within the next 4 to 6 months.

24 Nov 2024 - 9:12AM

Iran to stop producing near bomb-grade uranium, UN watchdog says

The move is a sign the Islamic Republic may be ready to resolve a stand-off with the West over its atomic activities.

20 Nov 2024 - 3:26AM

US presidential election 2024

Musk met Iran UN ambassador on defusing tension under Trump, US report says

The meeting, if confirmed, would again show the immense influence of the world’s richest man, who has constantly been at Trump’s side.

15 Nov 2024 - 7:38AM

Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk speaks at a Trump rally in New York, in October. Photo: AFP

Opinion | Why US influence in Southeast Asia could decline under Trump 2.0

Despite Trump positioning himself as a peacemaker, his foreign policy agenda is likely to push allies in Asia further away.

13 Nov 2024 - 5:30AMvideocam

Illustration: Craig Stephens

Iran says world waiting for Trump government to stop wars in Gaza and Lebanon

While Trump has promised peace in the Middle East, he has said Biden should let Israel ‘finish the job’ against Hamas in Gaza.

12 Nov 2024 - 12:49PM

US presidential election 2024

FBI thwarts Iranian plot to murder Donald Trump

A suspect, identified as Farhad Shakeri, was allegedly ordered by an official to come up with a plan to kill Trump before the election.

9 Nov 2024 - 1:29PMvideocam

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Help preserve 120 years of quality journalism.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement