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Oman

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

Capital

Muscat

Head of State

Sultan Haitham bin Tariq

Head of Government

Prime Minister Haitham bin Tariq

Workers load sulphur at a storage yard on a wharf in Nanjing, in eastern China’s Jiangsu province, on April 14, 2026. Photo: AFP

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

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

24 Sep 2026 - 3:20AM

China-Middle East relations

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

20 Sep 2026 - 2:00PM

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

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung speaking during a press conference at the presidential Blue House in Seoul on Friday. Photo: AFP

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

Middle East

Saudis turn to Western, regional allies as missile defences run low

Regional officials say kingdom appeals to France, UK, Pakistan, and Egypt for help against Houthis amid US interceptor shortages.

17 Sep 2026 - 3:40PM

US, Israel war on Iran

US military fires on boats attempting to capture sailing drone off Iran

Central Command confirms engagement off Iranian coast as Tehran claims vessels were local fishing craft.

16 Sep 2026 - 11:05AM

A Saildrone Explorer unmanned surface vessel in the Arabian Gulf off Bahrain’s coast. Photo: US Central Command via AFP

US, Israel war on Iran

Price of Epic Fury: Iran war’s toll on US bases, weapons and more

Pentagon inspector general offers an official accounting of the war’s costs in expended US munitions and damages.

15 Sep 2026 - 3:46PM

US, Israel war on Iran

Iran says tanker exploded in Strait of Hormuz as US rejects account

IRGC says vessel hit sea mine in waterway as CENTCOM accuses Tehran of drone strike and intimidation.

15 Sep 2026 - 3:48PM

China energy security

China’s oil demand could falter as Saudi pipeline shutdown raises costs

Supply relatively insulated in short term, but refiners could cut run rates amid rising crude prices, freight costs, analysts say.

14 Sep 2026 - 8:30PM

A Vantor satellite image shows damage to a facility of the Saudi Arabia East-West pipeline after a strike on September 11. Photo: Handout via Reuters

US, Israel war on Iran

Middle East diplomacy stalls as war spreads, Hormuz talks postponed

New attacks in Hormuz and Saudi Arabia as planned talks between Tehran and its neighbours are put off.

14 Sep 2026 - 3:35PM

Houthis engaged in fighting near the western Yemen port city of Mokha, which they captured last week. Photo: Houthi Military Media via EPA

Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong to deepen ties with Global South and Middle East, finance chief says

Financial Secretary Paul Chan says city will build ‘networked, institutionalised’ links with emerging economies, from green finance to research and development.

13 Sep 2026 - 9:13PM

Middle East

Yemen’s Houthis reach strategic island in Bab el-Mandeb Strait

The move potentially tightens the militants’ grip on a vital shipping route, further increasing the threat to energy markets.

11 Sep 2026 - 10:52PMvideocam

United States

US producer inflation tops expectations as energy costs jump amid Iran war

The Producer Price Index was up 5.4 per cent year-on-year last month, a significant acceleration from the 4.8 per cent rise in July.

10 Sep 2026 - 10:28PM

Petrol prices are seen at a Exxon gas station in Huntsville, Texas, on Tuesday. Photo: AFP

US, Israel war on Iran

Trump offers new timeline on Iran war: end after US midterm elections

US president claims Tehran is trying to influence vote as he warns against activity at underground nuclear site.

10 Sep 2026 - 4:31PM

A mural depicting an Iranian military drone in Tehran. Photo: WANA via Reuters

Banking & finance

Oman’s Sohar International to open first Asia office in Hong Kong: sources

The new office, located at Cheung Kong Center II in Central, marks the first time the bank has expanded outside the Middle East.

9 Sep 2026 - 10:00AM

US, Israel war on Iran

Iran attacks naval drone near Hormuz after US strikes 3 oil tankers

The latest round of clashes, which began with US raids last week, comes amid a deadlock in the six-month war.

6 Sep 2026 - 2:45PMvideocam

China trade

China rejects G20 trade-imbalance claims, says no need to devalue yuan

Beijing ‘deeply regrets’ a consensus was not reached after opposing some of the language used, and China urges deficit countries to cut spending.

3 Sep 2026 - 3:53PM

Officers stand guard in front of the headquarters of the People’s Bank of China in Beijing. Photo: Reuters

US, Israel war on Iran

Iran targets US bases in Kuwait despite warnings from Trump

Iran launches missiles and drones at Gulf neighour following US strikes that killed at least 19.

3 Sep 2026 - 10:08PM

Energy

As oil tops US$97, US-Iran war escalation has markets bracing for supply risks

Fresh military strikes in the Middle East have sent energy prices surging, leaving traders to grapple with renewed volatility.

2 Sep 2026 - 4:54PMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

US carries out new strikes on Iranian targets as hostilities flare

Iran targets American interests in Gulf states after US forces attack Iranian air defence sites, radar systems and maritime assets.

2 Sep 2026 - 4:56PM

A warplane prepares for flight operations aboard a US aircraft carrier on the day US Central Command carried out air strikes against Iranian military targets. Photo: CENTCOM via Reuters

US-China trade war

Opinion | Move over Strait of Hormuz. Innovation chokepoints are the ones to watch

The strength of a chokepoint lies not only in the force of the initial blow but in the scale of the long-term damage it leaves behind.

31 Aug 2026 - 8:30PMvideocam

Iran

Open Questions | Trita Parsi on why US air strikes strengthened Iran’s hand

Iranian-born and Washington-based expert analyses Tehran’s leverage, China’s non-intervention strategy and shifting Persian Gulf alliances.

31 Aug 2026 - 10:04AMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

Hormuz deal presses pause on Iran conflict, but fears of ‘forever war’ remain

Tehran is likely to stick to its guns in the hopes that the US midterms will bring about a Republican defeat, analysts say.

28 Aug 2026 - 1:00PMvideocam

China-Middle East relations

Open Questions | Iran expert on China’s balancing act amid conflict with US and Israel

Trita Parsi of the Quincy Institute says Beijing was wise to stay out of the US-Israeli war on Iran, which he believes could spark up again.

28 Aug 2026 - 2:54PMvideocam

US-China relations

What China can do to secure trade routes in its coming high-seas struggle with US

Di Dongsheng argues it could take three decades for China to dominate access to ports, straits, canals and shipping lanes around the world.

27 Aug 2026 - 3:58PMvideocam

The era of open oceans could be drawing to a close, says academic Di Dongsheng, who urges Beijing to prepare “for struggle in a coming contest over sea power and the security of shipping routes”. Photo: Getty Images

US, Israel war on Iran

Iran and Oman reach Hormuz deal, but reopening hinges on US compliance

The Revolutionary Guards said the waterway ‘will ‌not be opened under any circumstances’ if Washington failed to accept the demands.

26 Aug 2026 - 9:36PMvideocam

US-China trade war

How will US ‘D-Day’ threat against Iranian economy impact China’s oil supply?

As northern hemisphere prepares for winter, analysts say latest US sanctions would not deter China from purchasing Iranian oil.

26 Aug 2026 - 8:00PM

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Oman

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.

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

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

‘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.

Saudis turn to Western, regional allies as missile defences run low

Regional officials say kingdom appeals to France, UK, Pakistan, and Egypt for help against Houthis amid US interceptor shortages.

US military fires on boats attempting to capture sailing drone off Iran

Central Command confirms engagement off Iranian coast as Tehran claims vessels were local fishing craft.

Price of Epic Fury: Iran war’s toll on US bases, weapons and more

Pentagon inspector general offers an official accounting of the war’s costs in expended US munitions and damages.

Iran says tanker exploded in Strait of Hormuz as US rejects account

IRGC says vessel hit sea mine in waterway as CENTCOM accuses Tehran of drone strike and intimidation.

China’s oil demand could falter as Saudi pipeline shutdown raises costs

Supply relatively insulated in short term, but refiners could cut run rates amid rising crude prices, freight costs, analysts say.

Middle East diplomacy stalls as war spreads, Hormuz talks postponed

New attacks in Hormuz and Saudi Arabia as planned talks between Tehran and its neighbours are put off.

Hong Kong to deepen ties with Global South and Middle East, finance chief says

Financial Secretary Paul Chan says city will build ‘networked, institutionalised’ links with emerging economies, from green finance to research and development.

Yemen’s Houthis reach strategic island in Bab el-Mandeb Strait

The move potentially tightens the militants’ grip on a vital shipping route, further increasing the threat to energy markets.

US producer inflation tops expectations as energy costs jump amid Iran war

The Producer Price Index was up 5.4 per cent year-on-year last month, a significant acceleration from the 4.8 per cent rise in July.

Trump offers new timeline on Iran war: end after US midterm elections

US president claims Tehran is trying to influence vote as he warns against activity at underground nuclear site.

Oman’s Sohar International to open first Asia office in Hong Kong: sources

The new office, located at Cheung Kong Center II in Central, marks the first time the bank has expanded outside the Middle East.

Iran attacks naval drone near Hormuz after US strikes 3 oil tankers

The latest round of clashes, which began with US raids last week, comes amid a deadlock in the six-month war.

China rejects G20 trade-imbalance claims, says no need to devalue yuan

Beijing ‘deeply regrets’ a consensus was not reached after opposing some of the language used, and China urges deficit countries to cut spending.

Iran targets US bases in Kuwait despite warnings from Trump

Iran launches missiles and drones at Gulf neighour following US strikes that killed at least 19.

As oil tops US$97, US-Iran war escalation has markets bracing for supply risks

Fresh military strikes in the Middle East have sent energy prices surging, leaving traders to grapple with renewed volatility.

US carries out new strikes on Iranian targets as hostilities flare

Iran targets American interests in Gulf states after US forces attack Iranian air defence sites, radar systems and maritime assets.

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}Opinion | Move over Strait of Hormuz. Innovation chokepoints are the ones to watch

The strength of a chokepoint lies not only in the force of the initial blow but in the scale of the long-term damage it leaves behind.

.css-1f6sr3w{color:#727272;}Open Questions | Trita Parsi on why US air strikes strengthened Iran’s hand

Iranian-born and Washington-based expert analyses Tehran’s leverage, China’s non-intervention strategy and shifting Persian Gulf alliances.

Hormuz deal presses pause on Iran conflict, but fears of ‘forever war’ remain

Tehran is likely to stick to its guns in the hopes that the US midterms will bring about a Republican defeat, analysts say.

Open Questions | Iran expert on China’s balancing act amid conflict with US and Israel

Trita Parsi of the Quincy Institute says Beijing was wise to stay out of the US-Israeli war on Iran, which he believes could spark up again.

What China can do to secure trade routes in its coming high-seas struggle with US

Di Dongsheng argues it could take three decades for China to dominate access to ports, straits, canals and shipping lanes around the world.

Iran and Oman reach Hormuz deal, but reopening hinges on US compliance

The Revolutionary Guards said the waterway ‘will ‌not be opened under any circumstances’ if Washington failed to accept the demands.

How will US ‘D-Day’ threat against Iranian economy impact China’s oil supply?

As northern hemisphere prepares for winter, analysts say latest US sanctions would not deter China from purchasing Iranian oil.

Opinion | Move over Strait of Hormuz. Innovation chokepoints are the ones to watch

Open Questions | Trita Parsi on why US air strikes strengthened Iran’s hand