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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

Iranian warship IRIS Dena is seen in the Bay of Bengal during the International Fleet Review held at Visakhapatnam, India, on February 18. Photo: AP

US, Israel war on Iran

US submarine strike on Iranian warship near Sri Lanka rattles the region

Experts say the strike highlights the risk of the conflict spreading into Asian waters and tests India’s careful diplomatic balancing.

15 minutes agovideocam

Hong Kong tourism

Sky-high jump in airfares from Hong Kong to Europe, Americas – even Asian cities

3 minutes agovideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

Macroscope | Why even bullish investors can’t ignore the Iran war

52 minutes agovideocam

North Korea

Why North Korea’s missile tests from new warship has Iran conflict in mind

Experts say the US strikes on Iran are sharpening Pyongyang’s resolve to diversify nuclear-capable forces, including new naval platforms.

59 minutes agovideocam

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un watches the test firing of a sea-to-surface strategic cruise missile on Wednesday. Photo: KCNA/AFP

Middle East

Video | First batch of stranded Hongkongers from Middle East returns home

Around the world, the first groups of stranded passengers return home safely.

6 hours ago

US, Israel war on Iran

Iran’s navy in crosshairs as warship sinking by US submarine ups game

Iran’s foreign minister says the US ‘will come to bitterly regret’ the precedent set after a US sub sank its frigate off the coast of Sri Lanka.

2 hours ago

US, Israel war on Iran

A guide to how the Iran war has ricocheted across the Middle East and beyond

From sunken warships to closed airspaces, here is a country-by-country breakdown of the conflict’s impact so far.

5 Mar 2026 - 10:01AMvideocam

Exposing himself to the danger of unexploded ordnance, a boy tries to climb on an Iranian projectile that landed in an open field in the outskirts of Qamishli, eastern Syria. Photo: AP

US-China relations

Opinion | China waits and watches as the US fights all its tigers at once

Far from freeing up resources to focus on China, Trump’s administration finds itself fighting fires on several fronts, sapping its resources.

5 Mar 2026 - 9:30AMvideocam

Pakistan

US pulls diplomatic staff from Pakistan amid pro-Iran protests

The State Department ordered non-emergency employees and their family at consulates in Lahore and Karachi to leave due to ‘safety risks’.

5 Mar 2026 - 9:13AM

US, Israel war on Iran

Video | Chinese citizens scramble out of Iran

China says over 470 nationals have left via land routes, urging remaining citizens in Iran to register and depart as soon as possible.

5 Mar 2026 - 8:30AMvideocam

Chinese citizens scramble out of Iran. Photo: Handout/SCMP Composite

Banking & finance

Middle East tensions set to strengthen Hong Kong as a gold and wealth hub

Expanding gold vault capacity and new tax incentives for family offices are part of Hong Kong’s broader push to attract global wealth.

5 Mar 2026 - 8:30AM

The Hong Kong Gold Exchange kicked off the Year of the Horse with its traditional Lunar New Year opening ceremony in Sheung Wan. Photo: Dickson Lee

US, Israel war on Iran

US Senate rejects bid to curb Trump’s Iran war powers despite growing concerns

The bipartisan resolution, which failed by 52-47 votes, was aimed at stifling Donald Trump’s authority to continue military strikes on Iran.

2 hours agovideocam

Russia

Russia may halt gas supplies to Europe amid Iran energy spike, Putin warns

The leader says the chaos triggered by the Iran crisis has led to the emergence of other buyers willing to pay top dollar for fuel.

5 Mar 2026 - 4:56AMvideocam

Hong Kong society

Relief, joy as first flight back from Dubai brings stranded Hongkongers home

Passengers happy to ‘finally be somewhere safe’ after conflict in Middle East closed airports.

6 hours agovideocam

Family members were waiting for passengers at the airport’s arrival hall. Photo: Sam Tsang

US, Israel war on Iran

Iran delays funeral of supreme leader over crowd concerns

The funeral is likely to turn into a rally for Islamic Republic supporters who oppose the US and Israeli attacks.

5 Mar 2026 - 12:22AMvideocam

A billboard featuring a portrait of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is displayed on a roadside in Tehran, Iran. Photo: TNS

US-China relations

Is the US in decline? After Iran strikes, maybe not, Chinese analysts say

The popular idea in China that American strength is waning may need a rethink, observers say.

4 Mar 2026 - 11:59PMvideocam

Israel-Iran conflict

Turkey says missile launched from Iran destroyed by Nato

A Turkish official said the missile had been ‘aimed at a base in Greek Cyprus but veered off course’.

5 Mar 2026 - 12:40AM

Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong tycoons say Middle East outlook remains promising despite conflict

New World scion Adrian Cheng highlights city’s status as safe haven for capital; K Wah’s Francis Lui says property and stocks holding firm.

4 Mar 2026 - 11:40PM

Iran has launched retaliatory strikes at targets in Dubai. AFP

US-China relations

Khamenei’s fall exposes China’s military AI lag versus US: Beijing adviser

Zheng Yongnian cites precision strikes on Iran and earlier Venezuela raid to warn about risks posed by deep AI integration in US military.

4 Mar 2026 - 11:01PMvideocam

Pakistan

Pakistan aims to walk tightrope between Saudi Arabia and Iran as war flares

Islamabad has to navigate a tricky regional environment and manage the domestic blowback of the US-Israeli attacks on Iran.

4 Mar 2026 - 9:22PMvideocam

Middle East

Air freight costs for China shippers may jump 30% as Middle East airspace closes

China-Europe cargo flights face longer routes and higher fuel costs after Middle East airspace closures, the Hong Kong Association of Freight Forwarding & Logistics says.

4 Mar 2026 - 8:54PM

The Hong Kong association said on Tuesday it was still evaluating the war’s impact on ocean freight. Photo: Elson Li

Israel-Iran conflict

Video | Hongkongers in Dubai face daily fears of Iran strikes

A Hong Kong expat tells SCMP about her experience since Iran began launching strikes on Dubai on February 28.

4 Mar 2026 - 8:54PM

02:03

China-Middle East relations

Why China is staying on the sidelines of the US-Iran conflict

Decision based on consideration of Beijing’s own interests as well as its ties with Washington and others, analysts say.

4 Mar 2026 - 8:23PMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

Unesco-listed Iran palace damaged as US and Israel ramp up air war

Shockwaves from strikes on Tehran shatter glass and mirrors in the historic Golestan Palace, prompting reaction from the UN.

4 Mar 2026 - 9:24PMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

China caught between Iran and Gulf states as Tehran strikes across Middle East

In 2023, China mediated a peace deal between Riyadh and Tehran, but the ties are being tested as Iran targets sites in Saudi Arabia.

4 Mar 2026 - 7:57PMvideocam

China has deep economic relations with GCC states – Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. UAE capital Abu Dhabi is pictured. Photo: AFP

Hong Kong economy

10 exhibitors and Iranian buying mission miss Hong Kong jewellery fair amid war

While organiser reports only ‘small’ dip in participants, several Middle Eastern exhibitors say they are bracing for weaker sales.

4 Mar 2026 - 10:11PM

The Hong Kong International Jewellery Show is held at the city’s convention centre. Photo: Sam Tsang

China society

Opinion | Why a TV hit in China about waging peace resonates so deeply

Swords into Ploughshares can tell us a lot about Beijing’s approach to the crisis in Iran, cross-strait relations and this year’s ‘two sessions’.

4 Mar 2026 - 7:28PMvideocam

Ukraine war

Trump’s Iran attack sparks calls in Russia to abandon Ukraine talks

Some Russian hardliners are urging Vladimir Putin to double down on the war in Ukraine.

4 Mar 2026 - 6:37PMvideocam

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Iran

US submarine strike on Iranian warship near Sri Lanka rattles the region

Experts say the strike highlights the risk of the conflict spreading into Asian waters and tests India’s careful diplomatic balancing.

Sky-high jump in airfares from Hong Kong to Europe, Americas – even Asian cities

.css-1m2rp1p{color:#34b8b5;}Macroscope | Why even bullish investors can’t ignore the Iran war

Why North Korea’s missile tests from new warship has Iran conflict in mind

Experts say the US strikes on Iran are sharpening Pyongyang’s resolve to diversify nuclear-capable forces, including new naval platforms.

.css-rcruog{color:#C79A00;}Video | First batch of stranded Hongkongers from Middle East returns home

Around the world, the first groups of stranded passengers return home safely.

Iran’s navy in crosshairs as warship sinking by US submarine ups game

Iran’s foreign minister says the US ‘will come to bitterly regret’ the precedent set after a US sub sank its frigate off the coast of Sri Lanka.

A guide to how the Iran war has ricocheted across the Middle East and beyond

From sunken warships to closed airspaces, here is a country-by-country breakdown of the conflict’s impact so far.

Opinion | China waits and watches as the US fights all its tigers at once

Far from freeing up resources to focus on China, Trump’s administration finds itself fighting fires on several fronts, sapping its resources.

US pulls diplomatic staff from Pakistan amid pro-Iran protests

The State Department ordered non-emergency employees and their family at consulates in Lahore and Karachi to leave due to ‘safety risks’.

.css-sioo19{color:#c79a00;}Video | Chinese citizens scramble out of Iran

China says over 470 nationals have left via land routes, urging remaining citizens in Iran to register and depart as soon as possible.

Middle East tensions set to strengthen Hong Kong as a gold and wealth hub

Expanding gold vault capacity and new tax incentives for family offices are part of Hong Kong’s broader push to attract global wealth.

US Senate rejects bid to curb Trump’s Iran war powers despite growing concerns

The bipartisan resolution, which failed by 52-47 votes, was aimed at stifling Donald Trump’s authority to continue military strikes on Iran.

Russia may halt gas supplies to Europe amid Iran energy spike, Putin warns

The leader says the chaos triggered by the Iran crisis has led to the emergence of other buyers willing to pay top dollar for fuel.

Relief, joy as first flight back from Dubai brings stranded Hongkongers home

Passengers happy to ‘finally be somewhere safe’ after conflict in Middle East closed airports.

Iran delays funeral of supreme leader over crowd concerns

The funeral is likely to turn into a rally for Islamic Republic supporters who oppose the US and Israeli attacks.

Is the US in decline? After Iran strikes, maybe not, Chinese analysts say

The popular idea in China that American strength is waning may need a rethink, observers say.

Turkey says missile launched from Iran destroyed by Nato

A Turkish official said the missile had been ‘aimed at a base in Greek Cyprus but veered off course’.

Hong Kong tycoons say Middle East outlook remains promising despite conflict

New World scion Adrian Cheng highlights city’s status as safe haven for capital; K Wah’s Francis Lui says property and stocks holding firm.

Khamenei’s fall exposes China’s military AI lag versus US: Beijing adviser

Zheng Yongnian cites precision strikes on Iran and earlier Venezuela raid to warn about risks posed by deep AI integration in US military.

Pakistan aims to walk tightrope between Saudi Arabia and Iran as war flares

Islamabad has to navigate a tricky regional environment and manage the domestic blowback of the US-Israeli attacks on Iran.

Air freight costs for China shippers may jump 30% as Middle East airspace closes

China-Europe cargo flights face longer routes and higher fuel costs after Middle East airspace closures, the Hong Kong Association of Freight Forwarding & Logistics says.

Video | Hongkongers in Dubai face daily fears of Iran strikes

A Hong Kong expat tells SCMP about her experience since Iran began launching strikes on Dubai on February 28.

Why China is staying on the sidelines of the US-Iran conflict

Decision based on consideration of Beijing’s own interests as well as its ties with Washington and others, analysts say.

Unesco-listed Iran palace damaged as US and Israel ramp up air war

Shockwaves from strikes on Tehran shatter glass and mirrors in the historic Golestan Palace, prompting reaction from the UN.

China caught between Iran and Gulf states as Tehran strikes across Middle East

In 2023, China mediated a peace deal between Riyadh and Tehran, but the ties are being tested as Iran targets sites in Saudi Arabia.

10 exhibitors and Iranian buying mission miss Hong Kong jewellery fair amid war

While organiser reports only ‘small’ dip in participants, several Middle Eastern exhibitors say they are bracing for weaker sales.

Opinion | Why a TV hit in China about waging peace resonates so deeply

Swords into Ploughshares can tell us a lot about Beijing’s approach to the crisis in Iran, cross-strait relations and this year’s ‘two sessions’.

Trump’s Iran attack sparks calls in Russia to abandon Ukraine talks

Some Russian hardliners are urging Vladimir Putin to double down on the war in Ukraine.

Macroscope | Why even bullish investors can’t ignore the Iran war

Video | First batch of stranded Hongkongers from Middle East returns home

Video | Chinese citizens scramble out of Iran