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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

“Iran is our Homeland”, reads a billboard in Persian at a shop in Tehran. Photo: EPA-EFE

China-Middle East relations

China-led SCO warns against Iran ‘interference’ in veiled swipe at US

Security bloc expresses ‘grave concern’ over ‘tragic events’ as Iran is rocked by protests, calls for ‘political and diplomatic’ resolution.

17 Jan 2026 - 9:00PMvideocam

Internet

Iran’s leader says ‘thousands’ killed in protests, Trump a ‘criminal’

17 Jan 2026 - 8:18PM

Fame and celebrity

Meet Sepideh Moafi, who plays Dr Baran Al-Hashimi in season 2 of The Pitt

17 Jan 2026 - 6:00PM

Brics

Testing the waters: is Brics evolving into a security alliance?

The first naval exercises under the ‘Brics plus’ banner saw Brazil, Egypt, China, Russia and South Africa take part. India did not.

17 Jan 2026 - 12:00PM

A Russian corvette ship is seen near Cape Town, South Africa, on January 9. The Will For Peace exercise brings together navies from Brics-plus countries. Photo: AFP

Donald Trump

Trump thanks Iran for ‘cancelling’ hanging of hundreds of political prisoners

The president has suggested for days that the US might strike Iran if its government triggered mass killings in its crackdown on protesters.

17 Jan 2026 - 3:33AMvideocam

Middle East

Iran cleric demands death for protesters, threatens Trump amid unrest

Ayatollah Ahmad Khatami urged the execution of detained protesters, a step the Trump administration warned could spark military action.

17 Jan 2026 - 1:52AMvideocam

Hong Kong society

Hongkonger missing in protest-hit Iran safe and ‘in touch’ with authorities

Immigration Department says it has also advised the woman to leave Iran as soon as possible.

18 Jan 2026 - 12:20AM

Travel blogger “Bing” is safe, authorities have confirmed. Photo: Threads

Russia

Putin offers to mediate Iran-Israel tensions after Trump threat

The Russian leader spoke with Israel’s Netanyahu and Iran’s Pezeshkian on Friday, offering Moscow’s help to de-escalate tensions, the Kremlin said.

16 Jan 2026 - 11:48PM

China-Canada relations

China-Canada accord, US-Taiwan chips deal, GDP slowdown

This week: China and Canada to cut tariffs, Taiwan agrees chips and tariff deal with US, China trade surplus hits record, and PBOC cuts relending rates. Next week, China economic growth may hit post-Covid low, Trump attends Davos, DeepSeek reaches first anniversary, and more.

16 Jan 2026 - 5:24PM

Pakistan

Pakistan, Turkey, Saudi Arabia plan defence deal to counter chaos in Middle East

Iran’s neighbours are worried that the US’ increasingly erratic behaviour may pose a risk to regional power balance and trade, analysts say.

16 Jan 2026 - 5:54PMvideocam

A protester waves the Iranian flag outside UN headquarters in New York during a Security Council meeting on Iran on Thursday. Photo: AFP

Donald Trump

Exiled crown prince’s plan for Iran seen as mostly aimed at Trump

Experts say Reza Pahlavi’s aspirations for a post-theocratic Iran are to win White House backing.

16 Jan 2026 - 3:20PM

Iranians demonstrate in Rome against the Iranian leadership and in support of the exiled shah’s son, Reza Pahlavi. Photo: Marco Di Gianvito/ZUMA Press Wire/dpa

Donald Trump

US says Iran halted 800 protester executions after Trump warnings

White House cites direct pressure for the stay of executions, as Gulf allies scramble to de-escalate threats of a US military strike on Iran.

16 Jan 2026 - 10:08AM

China-Middle East relations

China warns against ‘law of the jungle’ amid anti-government protests in Iran

Foreign Minister Wang Yi told his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi that Beijing was willing to mediate.

15 Jan 2026 - 9:44PMvideocam

South China Sea

US aircraft carrier steams from South China Sea to Mideast as Iran in turmoil

Pentagon orders USS Abraham Lincoln on new mission after live-fire drills near Scarborough Shoal.

15 Jan 2026 - 5:05PMvideocam

The USS Abraham Lincoln and its strike group have reportedly been told to leave the South China Sea and go to the Middle East. Photo: EPA-EFE

India

‘Trump’s wrath’: India’s aim to diversify trade via Iran faces tariff threat

The 25 per cent tariff against countries that trade with Iran may curtail India’s plan to develop the Chabahar port in Iran.

16 Jan 2026 - 1:01AMvideocam

Officials attend a ceremony in 2019 to mark the first export convoy to India via Iran at Chabahar port. Photo: Getty Images

United States

Macroscope | Investors are giving Trump a free pass

Markets, especially bond markets, are meant to be a disciplining force. Their inaction will only embolden Trump to act more recklessly.

15 Jan 2026 - 5:10PMvideocam

Middle East

Trump claims ‘killing in Iran is stopping’, but keeps US options open

US president says that Iran hangings are off the table, and to ‘watch it and see’ about military action.

15 Jan 2026 - 12:27PM

Brics

Could the Iran crisis push Global South blocs to deepen security ties?

A lack of response from the SCO and Brics could have a negative impact on the groups – but the crisis could also bring them closer.

14 Jan 2026 - 11:57PMvideocam

US President Donald Trump has threatened “very strong action” if Iranian authorities begin executing anti-government protesters. Photo: AFP

Vladimir Putin

How Putin’s focus on Ukraine war leaves allies Venezuela, Iran and Cuba exposed

Russia’s war in Ukraine leaves allies Venezuela, Iran and Cuba vulnerable, exposing security failures and eroding trust in Moscow’s global influence.

14 Jan 2026 - 6:48PM

Middle East

Explainer | Who are Iran’s Revolutionary Guards and what is their role in the crackdown?

Reporting directly to Ayatollah Khamenei, this ‘empire within an empire’ wields immense wealth, intelligence, and suppresses dissent.

14 Jan 2026 - 5:50PM

China's military weapons

Why the US may find Iran’s air defence system harder to break than Venezuela’s

China’s most advanced export, the HQ-9B surface-to-air missile, is reported to be integrated into Iranian systems.

14 Jan 2026 - 5:32PMvideocam

Anti-government protests in Tehran have prompted US President Donald Trump to urge Iranians to “keep protesting”, adding that “help is on its way”. Photo: AP

US-Iran tensions

Iran signals fast trials and executions for detained protesters

As the death toll surpasses 2,500, Iran’s judiciary chief calls for fast action for suspects arrested over protests.

14 Jan 2026 - 9:30PM

Iranian security forces watch over a pro-government rally in Tehran on Monday. Photo: Getty Images via TNS

US-Iran tensions

Trump vs Iran: Gulf allies fear US ‘help’ may unleash chaos

Qatar and Saudi Arabia are urging against military action, even as the US president teases that ‘help is on its way’.

14 Jan 2026 - 12:11PMvideocam

Hong Kong stock market

Hong Kong stocks advance as investors turn to China amid Middle East uncertainty

Hang Seng Index extends rally as regional markets find support amid rising tensions between the US and Iran.

14 Jan 2026 - 4:40PM

Middle East

Trump urges on protesters in Iran as crackdown death toll surges

As Tehran accuses the US of inciting violence, Trump warns of ‘very strong action’ if Iran hangs protesters.

14 Jan 2026 - 3:12PMvideocam

Iranians attend an anti-government protest in Tehran, Iran on January. 9. Photo: AP

China-Middle East relations

Why China may not act in Iran even if it has ‘more to lose’ than in Venezuela

Beijing is likely to see the current anti-government protests as an ‘urgent’ situation, but analysts do not expect it to intervene directly.

13 Jan 2026 - 11:00PMvideocam

Iran has been gripped by waves of anti-government protests. Photo: Reuters

China trade

Will Trump’s Iran tariffs send China searching for new oil sources?

Analysts urge China to protect strategic interests abroad after unexpected announcement, which is likely to push up oil import costs.

13 Jan 2026 - 7:00PMvideocam

Donald Trump

Video | Trump slaps 25% extra tariffs on Iran’s trading partners

Trump announces tariffs ‘effective immediately’ on economies doing business with Tehran, including India and China, Iran’s largest trading partner.

13 Jan 2026 - 5:42PM

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Iran

China-led SCO warns against Iran ‘interference’ in veiled swipe at US

Security bloc expresses ‘grave concern’ over ‘tragic events’ as Iran is rocked by protests, calls for ‘political and diplomatic’ resolution.

Iran’s leader says ‘thousands’ killed in protests, Trump a ‘criminal’

Meet Sepideh Moafi, who plays Dr Baran Al-Hashimi in season 2 of The Pitt

Testing the waters: is Brics evolving into a security alliance?

The first naval exercises under the ‘Brics plus’ banner saw Brazil, Egypt, China, Russia and South Africa take part. India did not.

Trump thanks Iran for ‘cancelling’ hanging of hundreds of political prisoners

The president has suggested for days that the US might strike Iran if its government triggered mass killings in its crackdown on protesters.

Iran cleric demands death for protesters, threatens Trump amid unrest

Ayatollah Ahmad Khatami urged the execution of detained protesters, a step the Trump administration warned could spark military action.

Hongkonger missing in protest-hit Iran safe and ‘in touch’ with authorities

Immigration Department says it has also advised the woman to leave Iran as soon as possible.

Putin offers to mediate Iran-Israel tensions after Trump threat

The Russian leader spoke with Israel’s Netanyahu and Iran’s Pezeshkian on Friday, offering Moscow’s help to de-escalate tensions, the Kremlin said.

China-Canada accord, US-Taiwan chips deal, GDP slowdown

This week: China and Canada to cut tariffs, Taiwan agrees chips and tariff deal with US, China trade surplus hits record, and PBOC cuts relending rates. Next week, China economic growth may hit post-Covid low, Trump attends Davos, DeepSeek reaches first anniversary, and more.

Pakistan, Turkey, Saudi Arabia plan defence deal to counter chaos in Middle East

Iran’s neighbours are worried that the US’ increasingly erratic behaviour may pose a risk to regional power balance and trade, analysts say.

Exiled crown prince’s plan for Iran seen as mostly aimed at Trump

Experts say Reza Pahlavi’s aspirations for a post-theocratic Iran are to win White House backing.

US says Iran halted 800 protester executions after Trump warnings

White House cites direct pressure for the stay of executions, as Gulf allies scramble to de-escalate threats of a US military strike on Iran.

China warns against ‘law of the jungle’ amid anti-government protests in Iran

Foreign Minister Wang Yi told his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi that Beijing was willing to mediate.

US aircraft carrier steams from South China Sea to Mideast as Iran in turmoil

Pentagon orders USS Abraham Lincoln on new mission after live-fire drills near Scarborough Shoal.

‘Trump’s wrath’: India’s aim to diversify trade via Iran faces tariff threat

The 25 per cent tariff against countries that trade with Iran may curtail India’s plan to develop the Chabahar port in Iran.

.css-1m2rp1p{color:#34b8b5;}Macroscope | Investors are giving Trump a free pass

Markets, especially bond markets, are meant to be a disciplining force. Their inaction will only embolden Trump to act more recklessly.

Trump claims ‘killing in Iran is stopping’, but keeps US options open

US president says that Iran hangings are off the table, and to ‘watch it and see’ about military action.

Could the Iran crisis push Global South blocs to deepen security ties?

A lack of response from the SCO and Brics could have a negative impact on the groups – but the crisis could also bring them closer.

How Putin’s focus on Ukraine war leaves allies Venezuela, Iran and Cuba exposed

Russia’s war in Ukraine leaves allies Venezuela, Iran and Cuba vulnerable, exposing security failures and eroding trust in Moscow’s global influence.

.css-sioo19{color:#c79a00;}Explainer | Who are Iran’s Revolutionary Guards and what is their role in the crackdown?

Reporting directly to Ayatollah Khamenei, this ‘empire within an empire’ wields immense wealth, intelligence, and suppresses dissent.

Why the US may find Iran’s air defence system harder to break than Venezuela’s

China’s most advanced export, the HQ-9B surface-to-air missile, is reported to be integrated into Iranian systems.

Iran signals fast trials and executions for detained protesters

As the death toll surpasses 2,500, Iran’s judiciary chief calls for fast action for suspects arrested over protests.

Trump vs Iran: Gulf allies fear US ‘help’ may unleash chaos

Qatar and Saudi Arabia are urging against military action, even as the US president teases that ‘help is on its way’.

Hong Kong stocks advance as investors turn to China amid Middle East uncertainty

Hang Seng Index extends rally as regional markets find support amid rising tensions between the US and Iran.

Trump urges on protesters in Iran as crackdown death toll surges

As Tehran accuses the US of inciting violence, Trump warns of ‘very strong action’ if Iran hangs protesters.

Why China may not act in Iran even if it has ‘more to lose’ than in Venezuela

Beijing is likely to see the current anti-government protests as an ‘urgent’ situation, but analysts do not expect it to intervene directly.

Will Trump’s Iran tariffs send China searching for new oil sources?

Analysts urge China to protect strategic interests abroad after unexpected announcement, which is likely to push up oil import costs.

.css-rcruog{color:#C79A00;}Video | Trump slaps 25% extra tariffs on Iran’s trading partners

Trump announces tariffs ‘effective immediately’ on economies doing business with Tehran, including India and China, Iran’s largest trading partner.

Macroscope | Investors are giving Trump a free pass

Explainer | Who are Iran’s Revolutionary Guards and what is their role in the crackdown?

Video | Trump slaps 25% extra tariffs on Iran’s trading partners