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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

The plane carrying Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife, Peng Liyuan, arrives at Joint Base Andrews on Wednesday. Photo: AP

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.

3 minutes ago

US, Israel war on Iran

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

3 hours ago

2026 Xi-Trump summits

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

12 minutes agovideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

Iran’s Pezeshkian accuses Trump of ‘bullying mentality’, vows no surrender

The president told the UN General Assembly that threats would only harden Tehran’s resolve, but his country remained open to diplomacy.

55 minutes agovideocam

Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian addresses the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York on Wednesday. Photo: Reuters

Banking & finance

US$365 trillion and counting: the world’s total debt hits record high, IIF finds

Debt climbs US$10 trillion in six months as fiscal strains deepen, exposing cracks in household and corporate balance sheets.

23 Sep 2026 - 11:00PM

2026 Xi-Trump summits

China hawks grumble over Trump’s lavish welcome planned for Xi state visit

Chorus of disapproval rises ahead of the Chinese leader’s arrival, even as others say the welcome is the show, not the deal.

23 Sep 2026 - 7:00PMvideocam

China stock market

AI trade rallies on falling oil and Meta’s Muse agent ahead of Xi-Trump meeting

Nasdaq-100 hits record high while chip stocks in China and South Korea rebound, with investors betting that AI earnings can weather higher interest rates.

23 Sep 2026 - 2:24PM

A trader works on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange on Monday. The Nasdaq-100 Index hit a record high on Tuesday. Photo: EPA

Taiwan

As I see it | Taiwan might as well give up now

If Washington can’t or won’t defend the island, Taipei has no choice but to settle with Beijing.

23 Sep 2026 - 9:30AMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

Gulf tech firms turn to Hong Kong and Singapore as Iran war grinds on

Analysts point to growing adoption of a ‘dual-hub’ model, using secondary Asian bases to hedge against geopolitical risk.

23 Sep 2026 - 8:00AMvideocam

2026 Xi-Trump summits

In Focus | Can Xi and Trump use their leverage to actually make progress?

Analysts agree that keeping ties stable will be a priority when the leaders meet, and artificial intelligence could be an area for cooperation.

23 Sep 2026 - 9:07AMvideocam

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.

23 Sep 2026 - 2:36AM

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

US, Israel war on Iran

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

US president casts domestic policies as a global success while addressing conflicts, China and the prospect of renewed Iran talks.

23 Sep 2026 - 1:43AMvideocam

UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles)

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

Head, face and neck injuries are becoming a big problem in armed conflicts dominated by uncrewed aerial vehicles.

22 Sep 2026 - 11:00PMvideocam

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

Wang Yi calls on Berlin to “maintain a rational and pragmatic approach” and play a positive role within the EU in “promoting the upholding of free trade and rejecting protectionism”, according to the foreign ministry. Photo: Reuters

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

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

President Donald Trump’s approval rating has fallen as the US midterms loom. Photo: AP

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

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

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky talking on the phone to US President Donald Trump on Sunday. Photo: Ukrainian Presidential Press Service via AFP

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

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

Large plume of black smoke rises from the fuel storage area at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Saturday. Photo: Reuters

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

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Iran

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

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

Iran’s Pezeshkian accuses Trump of ‘bullying mentality’, vows no surrender

The president told the UN General Assembly that threats would only harden Tehran’s resolve, but his country remained open to diplomacy.

US$365 trillion and counting: the world’s total debt hits record high, IIF finds

Debt climbs US$10 trillion in six months as fiscal strains deepen, exposing cracks in household and corporate balance sheets.

China hawks grumble over Trump’s lavish welcome planned for Xi state visit

Chorus of disapproval rises ahead of the Chinese leader’s arrival, even as others say the welcome is the show, not the deal.

AI trade rallies on falling oil and Meta’s Muse agent ahead of Xi-Trump meeting

Nasdaq-100 hits record high while chip stocks in China and South Korea rebound, with investors betting that AI earnings can weather higher interest rates.

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}As I see it | Taiwan might as well give up now

If Washington can’t or won’t defend the island, Taipei has no choice but to settle with Beijing.

Gulf tech firms turn to Hong Kong and Singapore as Iran war grinds on

Analysts point to growing adoption of a ‘dual-hub’ model, using secondary Asian bases to hedge against geopolitical risk.

.css-1f6sr3w{color:#727272;}In Focus | Can Xi and Trump use their leverage to actually make progress?

Analysts agree that keeping ties stable will be a priority when the leaders meet, and artificial intelligence could be an area for cooperation.

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

US president casts domestic policies as a global success while addressing conflicts, China and the prospect of renewed Iran talks.

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

Head, face and neck injuries are becoming a big problem in armed conflicts dominated by uncrewed aerial vehicles.

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.

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.

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.

As I see it | Taiwan might as well give up now

In Focus | Can Xi and Trump use their leverage to actually make progress?