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US-Iran tensions

US-Iran tensions
The latest news, analysis and opinion on US-Iran tensions. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is greeted by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Beijing on Wednesday. Photo: Xinhua
Iran

Developing | China’s Wang Yi calls for swift reopening of Strait of Hormuz after Iran meeting

Beijing’s top diplomat invokes international community’s ‘common concern over restoring normal safe passage’ through vital waterway.

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US, Israel war on Iran

US’ Bessent urges China to help open Strait of Hormuz

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2026 Trump-Xi summit

Iran war could give Xi the upper hand in meeting with Trump: US experts

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South Korea

Seoul says ‘explosion and fire’ on South Korean ship in Hormuz strait

The vessel is a cargo ship of almost 180 metres (590 feet) sailing under the flag of Panama.

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Cargo ships at sea near the Strait of Hormuz, as viewed from a rocky shoreline near Khor Fakkan, United Arab Emirates. Photo: AP
Diplomacy

Strait of Hormuz woes, US-Nato ‘crisis’: 7 global relations reads

From a possible Trump-Iran joint venture to Russia-China talks, here are highlights from the SCMP’s overseas correspondents in April 2026.

United States

Wall Street hesitates, oil prices rise amid uncertainty in Strait of Hormuz

Despite all the uncertainty about how long the war with Iran will last, the US stock market has managed to power to record after record.

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US, Israel war on Iran

Glimmer of hope in Hormuz Strait, fragile ceasefire holds: what happened overnight

US President Donald Trump has offered some help to commercial shipping and competing plans for peace are said to be on the table.

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Ships and boats in the Strait of Hormuz. Photo: Reuters
US, Israel war on Iran

Trump says US will ‘guide’ ships out of Hormuz, as vessels attacked

US to launch new mission dubbed ‘Project Freedom’ as Tehran signals interference would be seen as a ceasefire violation.

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US, Israel war on Iran

Iran will not accept ‘imposed’ peace, Trump not satisfied with negotiations

US lawmakers are pressuring the President to resolve the war, while Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei is attempting to ease the war’s toll on Iran’s economy.

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Banking & finance

Macroscope | Mini-crises sparked by the Iran war may add up to a big collapse

From energy, inflation and trade to slowing global growth and investment uncertainty, these mini-crises have the makings of a massive crisis.

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The United Arab Emirates said on April 28 it would leave Opec and Opec+ on May 1. Photo: EPA
US-China trade war

US sanctions China-based operator, others over alleged Iran oil trade links

State Department targets Qingdao Haiye Oil Terminal for allegedly importing ‘tens of millions of barrels of sanctioned Iranian crude oil’.

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Oil tankers and cargo ships line up in the Strait of Hormuz off Khor Fakkan, United Arab Emirates, on March 11. Photo: AP
US, Israel war on Iran

Trump says hostilities in Iran ‘terminated’ ahead of war powers deadline

Trump administration argues war in Iran has ended due to ceasefire, allowing White House to avoid the need to seek congressional approval.

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US, Israel war on Iran

Could a prolonged conflict between the US and Iran threaten another vital link?

While countries grapple with the perils of a continuing oil shock, essential internet cables are also at risk.

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US, Israel war on Iran

Facing 60-day deadline, Trump administration claims Iran war ‘terminated’

White House signals it will ignore Friday’s War Powers cut-off, arguing April ceasefire paused hostilities.

A protester holds a banner opposing the war with Iran during US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth’s testimony in the Senate on Thursday. Photo: Reuters
Iran

Iran ‘dying to make a deal’, US war costs soar: here’s what happened overnight

US President Donald Trump says only a few people know the status of talks with Tehran as war enters its third month.

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US President Donald Trump takes questions at a press conference in the Oval Office. Photo: EPA
United States

US economy grows 2% in January–March; Iran war clouds outlook

The economy also recovered from last autumn’s 43-day federal shutdown.

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US, Israel war on Iran

Oil surge on Trump blockade warning tests stocks’ resilience

Crude oil surged to a four-year high and stocks pared April gains after US President Donald Trump said that a US block of the Strait of Hormuz could last months.

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US, Israel war on Iran

Trump, Putin talk Iran and Ukraine, US energy exports up: what happened overnight

The two conflicts could end on a ‘similar timetable’ US President Donald Trump has said.

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While the world remains mired in a fuel crisis with the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, the US is expanding its energy footprint abroad. Photo: Reuters
US-China relations

UN bloated, costly, but China fears to keep US involved, House committee told

Pulling out of international organisation would see Beijing expand its influence and leave Washington at major disadvantage, lawmakers say.

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US, Israel war on Iran

Trump hails ‘very good’ Putin call as Iran talks stall and Ukraine war drags on

US president says Russian leader offered help on Iran’s enriched uranium and discussed a Victory Day ceasefire in Ukraine.

US, Israel war on Iran

Iran war price tag hits US$25 billion as Hegseth defends record Pentagon budget

Disclosure to Congress comes as the defence chief faces mounting Democratic criticism over spending priorities and strategy.

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Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth at Wednesday’s House Armed Services Committee hearing. Photo: AP
US, Israel war on Iran

Trump warns Iran blockade could last months, sending oil soaring

Brent crude jumps to US$126 as the US president declares Iran is ‘choking like a stuffed pig’.

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The USS Michael Murphy patrolling the Arabian Sea during a maritime blockade earlier this month. Photo: US Navy via AFP
China GDP

US economic gap over China to widen, but Iran might bring them closer: Mahbubani

Get your head checked, strategist Mahbubani tells those who underestimate the US and China, while forecasting a bigger GDP gulf between the two by 2030.

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US, Israel war on Iran

‘Wartime’ in Iran and Trump’s extended blockade: here’s what happened overnight

As the US president hit out at Germany’s chancellor, Iran said it did not consider the war to be over, while the UAE pulled out of Opec.

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US, Israel war on Iran

Opinion | US-Iran ceasefire can’t paper over fires in the Strait of Hormuz

The US blockade is war by another name and must end. Two other things must change for the Iran ceasefire to become genuine diplomacy.

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US forces patrol the Arabian Sea near the Touska on April 20 after firing upon the Iranian-flagged vessel that the United States accused of attempting to violate the US naval blockade of Iranian ports near the Strait of Hormuz. Photo: US Navy/TNS
China energy security

China orders maritime security research as Hormuz crisis exposes trade risks

The research agenda will also focus on safeguarding port access and critical mineral investments amid rising threats to global trade.

The Strait of Hormuz, through which one-fifth of the world’s oil supply travels, has been repeatedly sealed off since the US-Israeli strikes on Iran began in late February. Photo: AP
Middle East

Lebanese minister backs Hezbollah disarmament, but warns it will take time

Haneen Sayed in Washington says the process must be gradual as a ceasefire continues to be marred by deadly violations.

US, Israel war on Iran

Trump and Iran trade red lines as Putin enters the diplomatic crossfire

Message via Pakistan outlines terms on nuclear work and Strait of Hormuz, as Moscow signals support and Washington considers next move.

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