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Iran

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

Capital

Tehran

Head of State

Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei

Head of Government

President Masoud Pezeshkian

Britain’s Prime Minister Andy Burnham (left) shakes hands with US President Donald Trump in New York on Tuesday. Photo: AP

United States

Trump criticises UK’s Chagos deal, says new British PM Burnham will reconsider

The US president says ties with Britain are better, as he met the prime minister for the first time.

29 minutes ago

US, Israel war on Iran

‘To the victor belong the spoils’: Trump touts ‘America is back’ agenda at UN

1 hour agovideocam

UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles)

Eyeing Ukraine, China’s military doctors voice progress on drone-caused injuries

4 hours agovideocam

China food security

Weathering the storm: can China’s grain reserves defend against El Nino?

As climate shocks and supply chain disruptions push global food prices higher, Beijing believes it has the tools to fend off rising risks.

22 Sep 2026 - 6:30PM

China’s summer grain harvest exceeded 150 million tonnes for the first time this year. Photo: Xinhua

China-Germany relations

China seeks German help to stave off EU trade sanctions before Xi-Trump summit

Phone call between Wang Yi and Johann Wadephul underlines Beijing’s push to protect European partnerships alongside US relations.

22 Sep 2026 - 4:02PMvideocam

2026 Xi-Trump summits

Top US Democrat warns Trump not to waver on Taiwan as Xi heads to Washington

Jeanne Shaheen also said new law allowing tariffs on buyers of Russian oil ‘sends Beijing a message’ before this week’s summit in Washington.

22 Sep 2026 - 5:58AMvideocam

Britain

Burnham to meet Trump, make UN debut after offering UK support for Saudis

British prime minister targets Middle East stability and AI governance on New York trip.

22 Sep 2026 - 12:24PM

Britain’s Prime Minister Andy Burnham and his wife Marie-France van Heel board a plane for the United States. Photo: Reuters

Donald Trump

Trump approval hits career low as living costs bite, new poll shows

Just 17 per cent of Americans endorse the president’s handling of inflation ahead of midterm elections.

22 Sep 2026 - 1:39PM

United Nations

Burning questions: world leaders meet at UN amid climate, war and AI worries

As we face ‘three existential threats,’ says the UN chief, ‘international cooperation is more necessary than ever’.

21 Sep 2026 - 9:54PM

China energy security

Canada sells more oil and gas to China as relations with US sour

China’s imports of Russian energy products also rise sharply as Beijing diversifies its energy supplies.

21 Sep 2026 - 4:00PM

The Imperial Oil refinery in Sarnia, Ontario, Canada, on September 2. Photo: Reuters

South Korea

South Korea steps up to plug Europe’s jet fuel deficit

South Korea is the latest large source of jet fuel shipments to Europe, exporting 129,000 barrels per day, the highest since October 2022.

21 Sep 2026 - 8:59AM

Planes are parked on the tarmac at Rome’s Fiumicino airport on June 6. European airlines are monitoring higher jet fuel costs and supply concerns linked to tensions in the Middle East. Photo: Reuters

Ukraine war

Ukraine’s Zelensky to meet Trump in New York

Planned meeting comes as Washington pushes for fresh, face-to-face peace talks between Moscow and Kyiv.

21 Sep 2026 - 2:30PM

Foreigners in China

China needs US-style migrant policy to win tech rivalry with Washington: expert

Li Mingbo, of Guangzhou Institute of the Greater Bay Area, says China should create English-friendly environment to attract foreign talent.

20 Sep 2026 - 7:04PMvideocam

China-Middle East relations

Chinese firms keen on Oman’s International Financial Centre: official

Neutrality amid US-Israel war on Iran cited as an advantage, as well as location of ports away from Strait of Hormuz.

20 Sep 2026 - 2:00PM

A highway in Muscat, Oman. Photo: Shutterstock Images

2026 Xi-Trump summits

In Focus | Analysts tip a stronger hand for China ahead of Xi-Trump summit in Washington

Chinese confidence could be boosted by US push to make progress on its war on Iran and the Russia-Ukraine conflict, experts say.

22 Sep 2026 - 9:15AMvideocam

Middle East

Houthis claim attacks on Saudi capital, after flames seen near Riyadh airport

The militants say they targeted ‘sensitive’ sites, along with an Aramco facility in the Red Sea city of Yanbu.

20 Sep 2026 - 9:24AM

US, Israel war on Iran

‘Ordinary people pay price’: Iran medicine shortages deepen as war continues

As well as facing shipping restrictions, sanctions and inflation, the pharmaceutical sector has been directly attacked, officials say.

19 Sep 2026 - 11:58PM

Vladimir Putin

Opinion | Why the Global South keeps its doors wide open to Russia

Far from being isolated, Moscow’s relationships across the non-Western world are a geopolitical constant the West cannot break.

19 Sep 2026 - 12:00PM

Russian President Vladimir Putin waves while boarding a plane upon his departure from India on September 13. Photo: Kremlin/Sputnik/EPA

US, Israel war on Iran

How much has Iran war cost US? Pentagon estimates US$43.6 billion so far

Polls show Americans increasingly oppose the war, partly over its impact on the economy, as the November midterm elections approach.

19 Sep 2026 - 9:14AM

India

India’s Modi caught between Russian oil needs and US trade threats

Cutting Russian oil imports could avoid price rises ahead of key polls but keeping such purchases could cripple access to its largest market.

19 Sep 2026 - 12:15PM

2026 Xi-Trump summits

Trump signs bill targeting China’s Russia energy imports days before Xi’s US visit

US president gives backing to ‘Lindsey Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026’ before next week’s Xi-Trump summit in Washington.

19 Sep 2026 - 6:59AMvideocam

US President Donald Trump displays signed orders during a dinner in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington on Friday. Photo: AP

2026 Xi-Trump summits

In Focus | Why China is playing it cool despite Trump’s disruption and churn

Despite months of US ambivalence, Beijing’s patience and composure at key Washington summit can show they are ‘the new adults in the room’.

22 Sep 2026 - 9:15AMvideocam

2026 Xi-Trump summits

Xi-Trump summit preview: what are the best and worst scenarios?

Tariff cuts or a new 7.5 per cent duty on China? Possible outcomes on the cards as leaders navigate a trade truce and a widening tech schism.

18 Sep 2026 - 8:30PMvideocam

South Korea

‘No deployment for war’: South Korea rejects US request for Iran support

President Lee Jae Myung has drawn a firm line against sending troops or assets to the Middle East, defying pressure from Washington.

18 Sep 2026 - 4:26PM

US, Israel war on Iran

US pivot leaves Saudi Arabia with ‘humiliating dilemma’ over Houthis

Riyadh is now working frantically to build a coalition to protect shipping in the Red Sea and defend the kingdom against Houthi attacks.

18 Sep 2026 - 6:40PMvideocam

Firefighters inspect damage to a building caused by falling debris from a reported Houthi drone intercepted over Taif province, western Saudi Arabia, on Thursday. Photo: Saudi Press Agency / AP

United States

US to allow Iranian leaders to attend UN meeting amid wartime stand-off

US again imposes strict conditions on the Iranian delegation for the UN General Assembly in New York.

18 Sep 2026 - 1:51PM

Member state flags fly outside the United Nations headquarters in New York City. Photo: Getty Images

Middle East

US approves sale of 48 F-35 jets to Saudi Arabia despite Israeli concerns

US says the sale would improve Saudi Arabia’s capability to deter ‘current and future threats’.

18 Sep 2026 - 1:53PM

US, Israel war on Iran

UN investigators cite US over Iran strikes that constituted war crimes

UN-backed experts also accuse the Iranian government of carrying out crimes against humanity during a domestic crackdown.

18 Sep 2026 - 9:59AM

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Iran

Trump criticises UK’s Chagos deal, says new British PM Burnham will reconsider

The US president says ties with Britain are better, as he met the prime minister for the first time.

‘To the victor belong the spoils’: Trump touts ‘America is back’ agenda at UN

Eyeing Ukraine, China’s military doctors voice progress on drone-caused injuries

Weathering the storm: can China’s grain reserves defend against El Nino?

As climate shocks and supply chain disruptions push global food prices higher, Beijing believes it has the tools to fend off rising risks.

China seeks German help to stave off EU trade sanctions before Xi-Trump summit

Phone call between Wang Yi and Johann Wadephul underlines Beijing’s push to protect European partnerships alongside US relations.

Top US Democrat warns Trump not to waver on Taiwan as Xi heads to Washington

Jeanne Shaheen also said new law allowing tariffs on buyers of Russian oil ‘sends Beijing a message’ before this week’s summit in Washington.

Burnham to meet Trump, make UN debut after offering UK support for Saudis

British prime minister targets Middle East stability and AI governance on New York trip.

Trump approval hits career low as living costs bite, new poll shows

Just 17 per cent of Americans endorse the president’s handling of inflation ahead of midterm elections.

Burning questions: world leaders meet at UN amid climate, war and AI worries

As we face ‘three existential threats,’ says the UN chief, ‘international cooperation is more necessary than ever’.

Canada sells more oil and gas to China as relations with US sour

China’s imports of Russian energy products also rise sharply as Beijing diversifies its energy supplies.

South Korea steps up to plug Europe’s jet fuel deficit

South Korea is the latest large source of jet fuel shipments to Europe, exporting 129,000 barrels per day, the highest since October 2022.

Ukraine’s Zelensky to meet Trump in New York

Planned meeting comes as Washington pushes for fresh, face-to-face peace talks between Moscow and Kyiv.

China needs US-style migrant policy to win tech rivalry with Washington: expert

Li Mingbo, of Guangzhou Institute of the Greater Bay Area, says China should create English-friendly environment to attract foreign talent.

Chinese firms keen on Oman’s International Financial Centre: official

Neutrality amid US-Israel war on Iran cited as an advantage, as well as location of ports away from Strait of Hormuz.

.css-1f6sr3w{color:#727272;}In Focus | Analysts tip a stronger hand for China ahead of Xi-Trump summit in Washington

Chinese confidence could be boosted by US push to make progress on its war on Iran and the Russia-Ukraine conflict, experts say.

Houthis claim attacks on Saudi capital, after flames seen near Riyadh airport

The militants say they targeted ‘sensitive’ sites, along with an Aramco facility in the Red Sea city of Yanbu.

‘Ordinary people pay price’: Iran medicine shortages deepen as war continues

As well as facing shipping restrictions, sanctions and inflation, the pharmaceutical sector has been directly attacked, officials say.

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}Opinion | Why the Global South keeps its doors wide open to Russia

Far from being isolated, Moscow’s relationships across the non-Western world are a geopolitical constant the West cannot break.

How much has Iran war cost US? Pentagon estimates US$43.6 billion so far

Polls show Americans increasingly oppose the war, partly over its impact on the economy, as the November midterm elections approach.

India’s Modi caught between Russian oil needs and US trade threats

Cutting Russian oil imports could avoid price rises ahead of key polls but keeping such purchases could cripple access to its largest market.

Trump signs bill targeting China’s Russia energy imports days before Xi’s US visit

US president gives backing to ‘Lindsey Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026’ before next week’s Xi-Trump summit in Washington.

In Focus | Why China is playing it cool despite Trump’s disruption and churn

Despite months of US ambivalence, Beijing’s patience and composure at key Washington summit can show they are ‘the new adults in the room’.

Xi-Trump summit preview: what are the best and worst scenarios?

Tariff cuts or a new 7.5 per cent duty on China? Possible outcomes on the cards as leaders navigate a trade truce and a widening tech schism.

‘No deployment for war’: South Korea rejects US request for Iran support

President Lee Jae Myung has drawn a firm line against sending troops or assets to the Middle East, defying pressure from Washington.

US pivot leaves Saudi Arabia with ‘humiliating dilemma’ over Houthis

Riyadh is now working frantically to build a coalition to protect shipping in the Red Sea and defend the kingdom against Houthi attacks.

US to allow Iranian leaders to attend UN meeting amid wartime stand-off

US again imposes strict conditions on the Iranian delegation for the UN General Assembly in New York.

US approves sale of 48 F-35 jets to Saudi Arabia despite Israeli concerns

US says the sale would improve Saudi Arabia’s capability to deter ‘current and future threats’.

UN investigators cite US over Iran strikes that constituted war crimes

UN-backed experts also accuse the Iranian government of carrying out crimes against humanity during a domestic crackdown.

In Focus | Analysts tip a stronger hand for China ahead of Xi-Trump summit in Washington

Opinion | Why the Global South keeps its doors wide open to Russia