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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

FBI Director Kash Patel testifies before a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing in Washington in September 2025. Photo: Reuters

US, Israel war on Iran

Pro-Iran hackers say they breached FBI chief Patel’s email account

Photos and other personal documents, many appearing over a decade old, were released by the group Handala.

4 hours agovideocam

2026 Trump-Xi summit

Exclusive | What does it mean for China if Trump and Putin visit back to back?

5 hours agovideocam

The Philippines

Why Philippines may face ‘strategic dilemma’ over Nato partnership, US demands

27 Mar 2026 - 9:32PMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

Opinion | Time to confront folly of Iran war and irrational US spending

Our fate increasingly depends on the state of mind of leaders who are playing a nuclear-scale game of chicken.

27 Mar 2026 - 8:30PMvideocam

Iranian firefighters use an excavator to clear rubble from a residential building that was hit in an earlier US-Israeli strike in Tehran, on March 23. Photo: AP

US, Israel war on Iran

‘Ukraine’s not America’s war, Iran not our war’: US, G7 diplomats trade barbs

The US secretary of state chided allies for rebuffing Trump’s demand for military help in the Gulf.

27 Mar 2026 - 8:06PMvideocam

China GDP

China’s economy can absorb Iran war shocks, says Justin Lin

But top economist cautions that US might not follow through on any agreements reached when Trump visits China in May.

27 Mar 2026 - 8:10PM

US, Israel war on Iran

Iran says Hormuz closed for shipping to and from ‘enemy’ ports

The Revolutionary Guards said that they had turned back three vessels seeking to cross the transit point.

27 Mar 2026 - 8:22PMvideocam

People walk near Iranian missiles in a park in Tehran on Thursday. Photo: West Asia News Agency via Reuters

China trade

From chips to MRIs, Iran war puts helium users on edge

Fitch Ratings says helium prices have roughly doubled since conflict began.

27 Mar 2026 - 6:00PM

Thailand

Thai luxury hotels dangle huge discounts as Iran war disrupts travel

While the lower prices may be a boon for visitors, businesses say ‘the stillness is unsettling’ as they brace themselves for hardship.

27 Mar 2026 - 5:46PM

US, Israel war on Iran

UN tells US to swiftly finish probe into ‘visceral’ Iran school bombing

In a video address to the UNHRC, Iran’s Foreign Minister Araghchi called the bombing a ‘calculated’ assault by the US.

27 Mar 2026 - 6:31PMvideocam

Mourners dig graves during the funeral for children killed in a US-Israeli strike on a school in Minab, Iran, on March 3. Photo: Iranian Press Centre/AFP/Getty Images/TNS

US-EU relations

German defence minister urges strong US presence in Indo-Pacific

‘To support or not to support Ukraine can also have an impact on Taiwan and the security situation in the Indo-Pacific’: Pistorius.

27 Mar 2026 - 5:22PMvideocam

German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius speaks during a press conference with his Australian counterpart Richard Marles following their meeting in Canberra on Thursday. Photo: dpa

China shipbuilding

Iran war exposes a weakness in China’s vast shipping sector: a lack of insurers

China’s maritime sector still relies on overseas legal and financial service providers, a potential strategic vulnerability in a turbulent world.

27 Mar 2026 - 5:00PMvideocam

Defence

Activists push for Cop31 to discuss impact of wars on global climate

Military activities are hampering the transition towards renewable energy, with data transparency lacking among major defence spenders.

27 Mar 2026 - 4:57PM

US, Israel war on Iran

Israel launches strikes on Iran with no sign of diplomatic breakthrough

Israeli jets hit Tehran’s missile hubs while more US troops head to the Middle East.

27 Mar 2026 - 4:45PMvideocam

Iranian missiles in a park in Tehran, for show. Photo: West Asia News Agency

Donald Trump

Video | What is Kharg Island and why might Trump want it?

Kharg Island handles about 90 per cent of Iran’s crude oil exports.

27 Mar 2026 - 4:42PM

01:43

Malaysia

Iran crisis bites into Malaysia’s supply chain as fuel subsidy cap falls

The quota cut for subsidised petrol reflects how the distant war is affecting Malaysia, with the food industry also sounding the alarm.

27 Mar 2026 - 4:49PMvideocam

Hong Kong transport

Greater Bay Airlines to raise fuel charges by 34%, joining other Hong Kong carriers

Fee for destinations other than mainland China to hit HK$389, while courier SF Express will review fuel surcharge on weekly basis from April.

27 Mar 2026 - 5:52PM

SCMP Highlights

Iran war risks, Southeast Asia’s fuel crisis, Xinjiang ‘salmon’: 7 highlights

From a fuel crisis gripping Southeast Asia to an elderly Chinese man’s undying love, here are highlights from SCMP’s recent reporting.

27 Mar 2026 - 12:35PM

Emergency personnel work at the site of a residential building hit by a strike in Tehran on March 16. Photo: Reuters

The Philippines

As Philippines battles fuel crisis, will Marcos postpone Asean summit?

Lawmakers have urged the president to postpone or scale down the event and redirect funds towards softening the blow of rising energy costs.

27 Mar 2026 - 12:30PMvideocam

Hong Kong property

Hong Kong home prices surge to 22-month high, but Iran war clouds outlook

Price gains accelerated in February, according to official government index, but interest-rate risk looms, analysts say.

27 Mar 2026 - 4:43PM

US, Israel war on Iran

A way out for the US and Iran? The diplomatic path that could prove China right

Talks between Washington and Tehran must involve nuclear concessions and a regional ceasefire, Middle East expert says.

27 Mar 2026 - 12:23PM

Missiles are displayed at a museum in Tehran, Iran, on November 12. Photo: via Reuters

US, Israel war on Iran

Iran’s harder-to-hunt long-range missiles are taking greater toll

Many Iranian launchers are destroyed, but remaining missiles are hitting targets with more precision.

27 Mar 2026 - 10:43AM

An Iranian missile with cluster munitions flies over Jerusalem on March 20. Photo: Reuters

China travel

China’s airlines add 2,900 flights to Europe as Russia access pays dividends

Chinese carriers have a major advantage over other global airlines due to their access to Russian airspace and ability to bypass the Middle East.

27 Mar 2026 - 10:00AM

Donald Trump

US currency to bear Trump’s signature in first for a sitting president

It is the latest instance of Trump putting his name and likeness on American cultural institutions.

27 Mar 2026 - 8:33AM

Japan

Japan’s cherry blossom parties could wilt as inflation strains wallets

Spending on ‘hanami’ picnics drops as rising living costs, Iran war fears and weather woes threaten to dampen this year’s festivities.

27 Mar 2026 - 8:00AMvideocam

A woman takes selfies in front of a cherry blossom tree in Kawasaki, Kanagawa prefecture, Japan. Photo: AFP

US, Israel war on Iran

Trump says Iran ‘begging’ for deal, but teases new aid for hard-hit US farmers

Trump shrugs off the need to reach a settlement, then alleges Iran let oil tankers pass through the Strait of Hormuz as a ‘gift’ to the US.

27 Mar 2026 - 2:54PMvideocam

US President Donald Trump speaks during a Cabinet meeting in the White House in Washington on Thursday. Photo: Getty Images/TNS

US, Israel war on Iran

This country could rise as Mideast war’s big winner. It’s not US, Israel or Iran

The spike in oil prices is an obvious short-term boon for Moscow, but some observers are unsure it will have so much impact in the long run.

27 Mar 2026 - 8:32AMvideocam

2026 Trump-Xi summit

Can Trump end his war on Iran in time for rescheduled China trip?

The US president announced this week that he would visit in mid-May after putting the date back to focus on the conflict.

27 Mar 2026 - 10:18AMvideocam

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Iran

Pro-Iran hackers say they breached FBI chief Patel’s email account

Photos and other personal documents, many appearing over a decade old, were released by the group Handala.

.css-19im5qg{color:#c79a00;}Exclusive | What does it mean for China if Trump and Putin visit back to back?

Why Philippines may face ‘strategic dilemma’ over Nato partnership, US demands

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}Opinion | Time to confront folly of Iran war and irrational US spending

Our fate increasingly depends on the state of mind of leaders who are playing a nuclear-scale game of chicken.

‘Ukraine’s not America’s war, Iran not our war’: US, G7 diplomats trade barbs

The US secretary of state chided allies for rebuffing Trump’s demand for military help in the Gulf.

China’s economy can absorb Iran war shocks, says Justin Lin

But top economist cautions that US might not follow through on any agreements reached when Trump visits China in May.

Iran says Hormuz closed for shipping to and from ‘enemy’ ports

The Revolutionary Guards said that they had turned back three vessels seeking to cross the transit point.

From chips to MRIs, Iran war puts helium users on edge

Fitch Ratings says helium prices have roughly doubled since conflict began.

Thai luxury hotels dangle huge discounts as Iran war disrupts travel

While the lower prices may be a boon for visitors, businesses say ‘the stillness is unsettling’ as they brace themselves for hardship.

UN tells US to swiftly finish probe into ‘visceral’ Iran school bombing

In a video address to the UNHRC, Iran’s Foreign Minister Araghchi called the bombing a ‘calculated’ assault by the US.

German defence minister urges strong US presence in Indo-Pacific

‘To support or not to support Ukraine can also have an impact on Taiwan and the security situation in the Indo-Pacific’: Pistorius.

Iran war exposes a weakness in China’s vast shipping sector: a lack of insurers

China’s maritime sector still relies on overseas legal and financial service providers, a potential strategic vulnerability in a turbulent world.

Activists push for Cop31 to discuss impact of wars on global climate

Military activities are hampering the transition towards renewable energy, with data transparency lacking among major defence spenders.

Israel launches strikes on Iran with no sign of diplomatic breakthrough

Israeli jets hit Tehran’s missile hubs while more US troops head to the Middle East.

.css-1t72pn8{color:#C79A00;}Video | What is Kharg Island and why might Trump want it?

Kharg Island handles about 90 per cent of Iran’s crude oil exports.

Iran crisis bites into Malaysia’s supply chain as fuel subsidy cap falls

The quota cut for subsidised petrol reflects how the distant war is affecting Malaysia, with the food industry also sounding the alarm.

Greater Bay Airlines to raise fuel charges by 34%, joining other Hong Kong carriers

Fee for destinations other than mainland China to hit HK$389, while courier SF Express will review fuel surcharge on weekly basis from April.

Iran war risks, Southeast Asia’s fuel crisis, Xinjiang ‘salmon’: 7 highlights

From a fuel crisis gripping Southeast Asia to an elderly Chinese man’s undying love, here are highlights from SCMP’s recent reporting.

As Philippines battles fuel crisis, will Marcos postpone Asean summit?

Lawmakers have urged the president to postpone or scale down the event and redirect funds towards softening the blow of rising energy costs.

Hong Kong home prices surge to 22-month high, but Iran war clouds outlook

Price gains accelerated in February, according to official government index, but interest-rate risk looms, analysts say.

A way out for the US and Iran? The diplomatic path that could prove China right

Talks between Washington and Tehran must involve nuclear concessions and a regional ceasefire, Middle East expert says.

Iran’s harder-to-hunt long-range missiles are taking greater toll

Many Iranian launchers are destroyed, but remaining missiles are hitting targets with more precision.

China’s airlines add 2,900 flights to Europe as Russia access pays dividends

Chinese carriers have a major advantage over other global airlines due to their access to Russian airspace and ability to bypass the Middle East.

US currency to bear Trump’s signature in first for a sitting president

It is the latest instance of Trump putting his name and likeness on American cultural institutions.

Japan’s cherry blossom parties could wilt as inflation strains wallets

Spending on ‘hanami’ picnics drops as rising living costs, Iran war fears and weather woes threaten to dampen this year’s festivities.

Trump says Iran ‘begging’ for deal, but teases new aid for hard-hit US farmers

Trump shrugs off the need to reach a settlement, then alleges Iran let oil tankers pass through the Strait of Hormuz as a ‘gift’ to the US.

This country could rise as Mideast war’s big winner. It’s not US, Israel or Iran

The spike in oil prices is an obvious short-term boon for Moscow, but some observers are unsure it will have so much impact in the long run.

Can Trump end his war on Iran in time for rescheduled China trip?

The US president announced this week that he would visit in mid-May after putting the date back to focus on the conflict.

Exclusive | What does it mean for China if Trump and Putin visit back to back?

Opinion | Time to confront folly of Iran war and irrational US spending

Video | What is Kharg Island and why might Trump want it?