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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

US-China relations

Open Questions | Scott Kennedy on China’s ‘slow tech dragon’ and 2 more Xi-Trump meetings

American adviser on Chinese business and economics highlights different phases of US-China relations over the past 50 years.

28 Sep 2026 - 9:03AMvideocam

US-China relations

Opinion | The US-China relationship has stabilised but on Beijing’s terms

28 Sep 2026 - 5:30AMvideocam

Middle East

Netanyahu makes unannounced visit to UAE, meets Gulf state’s president

4 hours ago

US, Israel war on Iran

Trump says he expects new Iran talks after rejecting proposal

US president muses about resuming full-scale strikes, saying Iran ‘overplayed their hand’.

28 Sep 2026 - 9:12AM

Missiles displayed next to a banner featuring Iran's supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei in Tehran. Photo: West Asia News Agency via Reuters

Britain

UK arrests 5 on suspicion of terror plot near airbase used by US forces

Police investigate potential link to a foreign state after three suspicious vehicles prompt evacuations outside RAF Fairford.

4 hours ago

United States

My Take | How Beijing is neutralising Washington’s sanctions machine

As alternative networks like China’s CIPS gain traction, the multilateral pushback is steadily eroding US financial dominance.

27 Sep 2026 - 8:30PM

Israel-Gaza war

Hamas leader says Israel to use ‘blood’ of Palestinians as fuel for election

Khalil al-Hayya also said Hamas was ready to engage with Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas to ‘achieve genuine unity’.

27 Sep 2026 - 9:31AM

Displaced Palestinians gather to receive meals distributed by a charity kitchen in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, on Friday. Photo: AFP

US, Israel war on Iran

Iran says only diplomacy can end Hormuz crisis after Trump rejects deal

Tehran said the proposed pact would trigger a seven-day countdown to reopening the strait and a pause in regional fighting.

27 Sep 2026 - 12:53PM

2026 Xi-Trump summits

Why Trump will face a stronger Xi Jinping at November Apec forum in China

Vital host diplomacy leverage and upgraded US-China ties among reasons cited by experts forecasting an even more confident Chinese side.

26 Sep 2026 - 11:00PMvideocam

China-Latin America relations

Exclusive | China-based Brics bank set for hunger alliance lead role this year, Brazil says

Brazilian minister Wellington Dias tells SCMP a fund to cut borrowing costs for the poor may launch by December as US marginalises the G20.

26 Sep 2026 - 10:00PMvideocam

Brazil’s Minister of Social Development, Wellington Dias (centre), speaks at the United Nations General Assembly's high-level plenary session on Social Business, Youth, and Technology on Wednesday. Photo: Handout

China-Middle East relations

Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia test limits of Mecca regional security pact

Turkey and Pakistan are unlikely to intervene despite the deal’s terms, which could hobble its deterrent effect, analysts say.

26 Sep 2026 - 6:00PMvideocam

Supporters of Yemen’s Houthi rebels at a rally in support of the group in Sanaa, Yemen, on September 18. Photo: AP

Pakistan

Why Pakistan’s endless war on militants fails to break the cycle

Tactical wins and retaliatory strikes have not delivered peace, even as two separate insurgencies appear to be converging.

26 Sep 2026 - 1:00PMvideocam

2026 Xi-Trump summits

Xi-Trump atmospherics welcomed but mask structural rifts: analysts

That two economic and military giants are talking – and pledging to talk some more – suggests some period of relative stability with caveats.

26 Sep 2026 - 8:28AMvideocam

Thailand

Thailand has had enough of foreign tourists behaving badly

Viral misbehaviour, crimes and foreign-ownership scandals are exhausting the patience of a country famous for its hospitality.

26 Sep 2026 - 4:17PMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

Iran offers US plan to reopen Hormuz within 7 days

Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi says the ball is now in Washington’s court, after setting out conditions for ending the war.

26 Sep 2026 - 5:03AM

An Iranian woman walks next to an anti-US billboard in Tehran on Monday. Photo: EPA

Donald Trump

US TV networks back at White House, as Trump hails ‘fair’ coverage of Xi visit

The US president had earlier barred CNN, MS Now and Politico from the grounds, prompting other outlets to halt coverage in solidarity.

26 Sep 2026 - 3:27AMvideocam

Hong Kong society

HK Electric to cut fuel charge for first time in 4 months as CLP raises rate

Customers of HK Electric are set to pay less for electricity after it cut its fuel charge for the first time in four months.

25 Sep 2026 - 8:50PM

2026 Xi-Trump summits

How China’s wartime cooperatives gave us ‘gung-ho’

Trump’s mention of a ‘Chinese phrase’ may have puzzled some, but the US Marine Corps adopted gung-ho from the name of wartime cooperatives.

25 Sep 2026 - 6:42PM

Not only has gung-ho – derived from the Chinese gong he – entered the English dictionary, but it also features in the names of several awards associated with the US Marine Corps. Photo: The Boston Globe via Getty Images

Middle East

France to protect key Saudi oil terminal as Houthis step up missile attacks

Macron pledges troops and radar systems to defend Red Sea energy hub at Yanbu following aerial barrage.

25 Sep 2026 - 3:38PM

Israel-Iran conflict

UK foreign secretary warns Iran against hostile activity on British soil

Ed Miliband presses Tehran over domestic security and demands release of couple held in Evin prison.

25 Sep 2026 - 11:52AM

Middle East

Netanyahu blasts critics at UN, dismissing Gaza genocide accusations

Israeli prime minister denounces walkout delegates as ‘moral cowards’ during a fiery address defending the war against Iran.

25 Sep 2026 - 2:18PM

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addresses the UN General Assembly. Photo: Reuters

2026 Xi-Trump summits

Xi-Trump summit ends with modest deals, promises of more meetings

The two leaders extend their trade truce and signal progress on tariffs while striking a warmer tone on AI, security and bilateral ties.

26 Sep 2026 - 2:08AMvideocam

From left: Peng Liyuan, Chinese President Xi Jinping, US President Donald Trump and Melania Trump arrive at the National Archives Museum in Washington on Friday. Photo: Reuters

Mainland China

China’s sulphur imports dive 65% as prices surge 3.5 times

Country pays more for less of the key fertiliser ingredient, potentially pressuring the spring planting season, analyst says.

24 Sep 2026 - 10:00PM

US, Israel war on Iran

Gulf nations keep oil flowing amid Iran war, but it’s getting costly

Despite the Strait of Hormuz blockade and other attacks, oil exporters and the US military have found workarounds, but they may not be sustainable.

24 Sep 2026 - 7:40PM

South Korea

Can South Korea solve the US military’s ammunition shortage?

Depleted stockpiles from the Middle East and Ukraine wars are spurring South Korean arms makers to build US production hubs.

24 Sep 2026 - 8:00AM

South Korean K9 Thunder 155mm howitzers during a live-fire drill in Pocheon. South Korea’s leading defence company Hanwha Aerospace has announced a US$2.2 billion investment to make 155mm shells in the US. Photo: AFP

2026 Xi-Trump summits

Xi lands in US for high-stakes summit with Trump amid deep tensions

Chinese leader begins 48-hour visit as Trump seeks progress on AI, Iran, rare earths and trade, with expectations for deals low.

24 Sep 2026 - 8:21AM

US President Donald Trump (right) greets Chinese President Xi Jinping as he arrives at Joint Base Andrews on Wednesday. Photo: Reuters

US, Israel war on Iran

Indian sailor killed in attack on vessel in Hormuz: India and Oman authorities

A strike on the cargo ship Cape Dao led to a fire in the engine room, and 27 crew members had to be evacuated by the Omani navy.

24 Sep 2026 - 3:20AM

2026 Xi-Trump summits

Rubio defends Xi’s US visit as essential despite deep disagreements

US secretary of state says Taiwan arms sales must be weighed against America’s military needs and voices hope Vladimir Putin will attend G20.

24 Sep 2026 - 5:42AMvideocam

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Iran

.css-1f6sr3w{color:#727272;}Open Questions | Scott Kennedy on China’s ‘slow tech dragon’ and 2 more Xi-Trump meetings

American adviser on Chinese business and economics highlights different phases of US-China relations over the past 50 years.

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}Opinion | The US-China relationship has stabilised but on Beijing’s terms

Netanyahu makes unannounced visit to UAE, meets Gulf state’s president

Trump says he expects new Iran talks after rejecting proposal

US president muses about resuming full-scale strikes, saying Iran ‘overplayed their hand’.

UK arrests 5 on suspicion of terror plot near airbase used by US forces

Police investigate potential link to a foreign state after three suspicious vehicles prompt evacuations outside RAF Fairford.

My Take | How Beijing is neutralising Washington’s sanctions machine

As alternative networks like China’s CIPS gain traction, the multilateral pushback is steadily eroding US financial dominance.

Hamas leader says Israel to use ‘blood’ of Palestinians as fuel for election

Khalil al-Hayya also said Hamas was ready to engage with Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas to ‘achieve genuine unity’.

Iran says only diplomacy can end Hormuz crisis after Trump rejects deal

Tehran said the proposed pact would trigger a seven-day countdown to reopening the strait and a pause in regional fighting.

Why Trump will face a stronger Xi Jinping at November Apec forum in China

Vital host diplomacy leverage and upgraded US-China ties among reasons cited by experts forecasting an even more confident Chinese side.

Exclusive | China-based Brics bank set for hunger alliance lead role this year, Brazil says

Brazilian minister Wellington Dias tells SCMP a fund to cut borrowing costs for the poor may launch by December as US marginalises the G20.

Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia test limits of Mecca regional security pact

Turkey and Pakistan are unlikely to intervene despite the deal’s terms, which could hobble its deterrent effect, analysts say.

Why Pakistan’s endless war on militants fails to break the cycle

Tactical wins and retaliatory strikes have not delivered peace, even as two separate insurgencies appear to be converging.

Xi-Trump atmospherics welcomed but mask structural rifts: analysts

That two economic and military giants are talking – and pledging to talk some more – suggests some period of relative stability with caveats.

Thailand has had enough of foreign tourists behaving badly

Viral misbehaviour, crimes and foreign-ownership scandals are exhausting the patience of a country famous for its hospitality.

Iran offers US plan to reopen Hormuz within 7 days

Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi says the ball is now in Washington’s court, after setting out conditions for ending the war.

US TV networks back at White House, as Trump hails ‘fair’ coverage of Xi visit

The US president had earlier barred CNN, MS Now and Politico from the grounds, prompting other outlets to halt coverage in solidarity.

HK Electric to cut fuel charge for first time in 4 months as CLP raises rate

Customers of HK Electric are set to pay less for electricity after it cut its fuel charge for the first time in four months.

How China’s wartime cooperatives gave us ‘gung-ho’

Trump’s mention of a ‘Chinese phrase’ may have puzzled some, but the US Marine Corps adopted gung-ho from the name of wartime cooperatives.

France to protect key Saudi oil terminal as Houthis step up missile attacks

Macron pledges troops and radar systems to defend Red Sea energy hub at Yanbu following aerial barrage.

UK foreign secretary warns Iran against hostile activity on British soil

Ed Miliband presses Tehran over domestic security and demands release of couple held in Evin prison.

Netanyahu blasts critics at UN, dismissing Gaza genocide accusations

Israeli prime minister denounces walkout delegates as ‘moral cowards’ during a fiery address defending the war against Iran.

Xi-Trump summit ends with modest deals, promises of more meetings

The two leaders extend their trade truce and signal progress on tariffs while striking a warmer tone on AI, security and bilateral ties.

China’s sulphur imports dive 65% as prices surge 3.5 times

Country pays more for less of the key fertiliser ingredient, potentially pressuring the spring planting season, analyst says.

Gulf nations keep oil flowing amid Iran war, but it’s getting costly

Despite the Strait of Hormuz blockade and other attacks, oil exporters and the US military have found workarounds, but they may not be sustainable.

Can South Korea solve the US military’s ammunition shortage?

Depleted stockpiles from the Middle East and Ukraine wars are spurring South Korean arms makers to build US production hubs.

Xi lands in US for high-stakes summit with Trump amid deep tensions

Chinese leader begins 48-hour visit as Trump seeks progress on AI, Iran, rare earths and trade, with expectations for deals low.

Indian sailor killed in attack on vessel in Hormuz: India and Oman authorities

A strike on the cargo ship Cape Dao led to a fire in the engine room, and 27 crew members had to be evacuated by the Omani navy.

Rubio defends Xi’s US visit as essential despite deep disagreements

US secretary of state says Taiwan arms sales must be weighed against America’s military needs and voices hope Vladimir Putin will attend G20.

Open Questions | Scott Kennedy on China’s ‘slow tech dragon’ and 2 more Xi-Trump meetings

Opinion | The US-China relationship has stabilised but on Beijing’s terms