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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

US forces board the sanctioned vessel Veronica III in the Indian Ocean on Sunday. Photo: Department of War via X / Handout via Reuters

US-Venezuela conflict

US boards another oil tanker in Indian Ocean after tracking it from Caribbean

Veronica III is a Panamanian-flagged ship under US sanctions related to Iran, according to the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control.

13 minutes agovideocam

US-Iran tensions

Iran’s top diplomat to attend ‘indirect’ talks with US in Geneva: state news

39 minutes agovideocam

Munich Security Conference

In Munich, US urges ‘collective strength’ among allies to deter China

59 minutes ago

United States

‘For 47 years, they’ve been talking and talking’: US eyes expanded Iran strikes

The plan raises regional conflict fears and comes ahead of next week’s talks between the two sides in Geneva.

15 Feb 2026 - 6:32PMvideocam

Women pose with a poster depicting Iran’s Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei during a rally in Tehran on Wednesday marking the 47th anniversary of the 1979 Islamic revolution. Photo: AFP

Middle East

US-Iran talks to be held in Geneva next week, hosted by Oman

The son of Iran’s last shah called for US action, as Trump sends a second aircraft carrier to the Middle East.

15 Feb 2026 - 6:22AM

Middle East

Trump says change of power in Iran would be ‘best thing’

The US president’s comments are his most overt reference yet to regime change, as he pushes Tehran to make a nuclear deal.

14 Feb 2026 - 7:50AMvideocam

US-Venezuela conflict

US allows oil majors to resume Venezuela operations

The authorisation does not allow transactions ‌with companies in Russia, Iran or China.

14 Feb 2026 - 1:14AMvideocam

A flame burning natural gas is seen at a plant operated by Venezuela’s state oil company PDVSA in April 2015. Photo: Reuters

Middle East

US is sending second aircraft carrier to the Middle East to coerce Iran

The USS Gerald R. Ford would join the USS Abraham Lincoln as Donald Trump ramps up pressure on Iran for a deal.

13 Feb 2026 - 3:05PM

Middle East

US pulls out of strategic military base and hands it over to Syria

Syria says its forces have taken over al-Tanf base, ending an American military presence that lasted for more than a decade.

13 Feb 2026 - 12:28PM

US-Iran tensions

The US dropped proposal of Iran regime change. Could a nuclear deal be next?

Both sides appear amenable to a deal limiting some of Iran’s nuclear enrichment activities after last week’s diplomatic re-establishment.

12 Feb 2026 - 5:16PMvideocam

Women march with a sign depicting US President Donald Trump with bloodied hands in Tehran on Wednesday during a rally marking the anniversary of the 1979 Islamic revolution. Photo: AFP

China-Latin America relations

China vows to ‘do what it can’ as US blockade leaves Cuba with just weeks of oil

Beijing pledges continued support for Cuba and champions Havana’s sovereignty as the island grapples with worsening fuel shortages.

12 Feb 2026 - 7:38AMvideocam

China’s support comes as Cuba faces a critical fuel shortage after the United States blocked shipments of Venezuelan oil. Photo: Reuters

Middle East

Trump ‘insists’ to Netanyahu that he will continue nuclear talks with Iran

Israel fears that the US might pursue a narrow agreement that does not include restrictions on Iran’s ballistic missile ⁠programme.

12 Feb 2026 - 3:59AM

Middle East

Iran’s revolution anniversary marred by protests, nuclear tensions

Iran’s 47th Revolution anniversary sees pro-regime rallies amid public anger over crackdowns and heightened US nuclear tensions.

11 Feb 2026 - 7:30PMvideocam

Donald Trump

US grand jury rejects charges against 6 Democrats Trump wanted jailed

In a rare rebuke, a federal grand jury refuses to indict veteran lawmakers whom Trump branded as ‘traitors’.

11 Feb 2026 - 4:04PM

US President Donald Trump at a Veterans Day ceremony in November. Photo: Reuters

Middle East

In message to Iran, Trump weighs sending second aircraft carrier to Middle East

The US president warned that the US would have to do ‘something very tough’ if a deal was not reached.

11 Feb 2026 - 1:40PM

An F/A-18F Super Hornet preparing to launch from the USS Abraham Lincoln in the Arabian. Photo: US Navy via AFP

Human rights

Iran sentences Nobel laureate to 7 more years amid stand-off with US

As Iran extends the jail term for Narges Mohammadi, its foreign minister strikes a maximalist position after US talks.

9 Feb 2026 - 4:08PM

Middle East

Iran defies Trump and US pressure over uranium enrichment

Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi insists Iran won’t yield on enrichment, calling resilience – not weapons – its ‘atomic bomb’ despite US threats.

8 Feb 2026 - 6:51PMvideocam

Xi Jinping

Editorial | Xi’s same-day calls with Trump and Putin showcase head-of-state diplomacy

At a time of geopolitical uncertainty, the extraordinary back-to-back conversations with the leaders of Russia and the US highlight Xi’s diplomatic approach.

7 Feb 2026 - 7:15AM

Chinese President Xi Jinping (centre) spoke to both US President Donald Trump (left) and Russian President Vladimir Putin (right) on Wednesday. Photo: AFP/ Xinhua/ Reuters

US-Iran tensions

Oman mediates Iran-US nuclear talks amid tensions and Trump’s threats

The meeting is the first between the two sides since Washington joined Israel’s war with Tehran in June with strikes on nuclear sites.

6 Feb 2026 - 10:42PMvideocam

Donald Trump

Why gold still glitters in Asia despite volatility triggering ‘panic selling’

Investors are also looking to buy more silver despite the recent rush of funds towards the US dollar, analysts say.

6 Feb 2026 - 5:07PM

SCMP Highlights

China’s expat pilots; Indonesian woman collapses after 140 lashes: 7 highlights

From a Chinese vessel shadowing US aircraft carrier to Hong Kong graduates’ job outlook, here are highlights from SCMP’s recent reporting.

6 Feb 2026 - 12:37PM

China’s Dayang Yihao has been surveying the Arabian Sea since December 19, according to SeaLight, a Stanford University-affiliated maritime analysis group. Photo: Handout

US-Iran tensions

Ahead of talks, Iran deploys ballistic missile at underground ‘missile city’

Tehran signals offensive readiness as negotiators arrive in Oman for high-stakes talks.

6 Feb 2026 - 10:38AM

Iranian missiles displayed in a park in Tehran. Photo: West Asia News Agency via Reuters

US-China relations

What Xi’s calls with Trump and Putin reveal about China’s balancing act

Beijing holds rare same-day talks with Kremlin and White House as powers face headwinds at home, energy uncertainties and nuclear pact’s end.

5 Feb 2026 - 11:58PMvideocam

US-China relations

Xi holds Trump, Putin calls as Iran tensions mount

Iran was among the topics Xi Jinping discussed with his US and Russian counterparts in separate calls on Wednesday ahead of new diplomatic efforts to end the country’s nuclear programme.

6 Feb 2026 - 8:30AM

Pakistan

Pakistan accuses ‘elements supported by India’ of organising Balochistan attacks

The attacks in recent days in the restive province caused the deaths of more than 250 civilians, security personnel and insurgents.

5 Feb 2026 - 6:17PMvideocam

Site of a suspected separatist attack in Quetta, the capital of Balochistan province, Pakistan, on Monday. Photo: EPA

China energy security

China’s cheap oil flows under strain as US ramps up Iran, Venezuela pressure

US restrictions could lead China to turn to higher-priced barrels in other markets, while it continues to reduce its reliance on oil imports.

5 Feb 2026 - 7:55AM

An oil tanker is anchored in Lake Maracaibo, Venezuela. China’s reliance on low-price crude from Venezuela is under strain as the United States tightens control over the country’s oil industry. Photo: Xinhua

Middle East

Trump says Iran leaders should be ‘very worried’ as talks near

Negotiations will take place in Oman, but there is disagreement over whether Tehran’s missile programme will be discussed.

5 Feb 2026 - 9:58AM

Middle East

Road to equality? Iran formally allows women to ride motorcycles

In a country where women’s public presence is heavily regulated, the right to operate a vehicle is a powerful indicator of shifting social boundaries.

4 Feb 2026 - 8:26PMvideocam

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Iran

US boards another oil tanker in Indian Ocean after tracking it from Caribbean

Veronica III is a Panamanian-flagged ship under US sanctions related to Iran, according to the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control.

Iran’s top diplomat to attend ‘indirect’ talks with US in Geneva: state news

In Munich, US urges ‘collective strength’ among allies to deter China

‘For 47 years, they’ve been talking and talking’: US eyes expanded Iran strikes

The plan raises regional conflict fears and comes ahead of next week’s talks between the two sides in Geneva.

US-Iran talks to be held in Geneva next week, hosted by Oman

The son of Iran’s last shah called for US action, as Trump sends a second aircraft carrier to the Middle East.

Trump says change of power in Iran would be ‘best thing’

The US president’s comments are his most overt reference yet to regime change, as he pushes Tehran to make a nuclear deal.

US allows oil majors to resume Venezuela operations

The authorisation does not allow transactions ‌with companies in Russia, Iran or China.

US is sending second aircraft carrier to the Middle East to coerce Iran

The USS Gerald R. Ford would join the USS Abraham Lincoln as Donald Trump ramps up pressure on Iran for a deal.

US pulls out of strategic military base and hands it over to Syria

Syria says its forces have taken over al-Tanf base, ending an American military presence that lasted for more than a decade.

The US dropped proposal of Iran regime change. Could a nuclear deal be next?

Both sides appear amenable to a deal limiting some of Iran’s nuclear enrichment activities after last week’s diplomatic re-establishment.

China vows to ‘do what it can’ as US blockade leaves Cuba with just weeks of oil

Beijing pledges continued support for Cuba and champions Havana’s sovereignty as the island grapples with worsening fuel shortages.

Trump ‘insists’ to Netanyahu that he will continue nuclear talks with Iran

Israel fears that the US might pursue a narrow agreement that does not include restrictions on Iran’s ballistic missile ⁠programme.

Iran’s revolution anniversary marred by protests, nuclear tensions

Iran’s 47th Revolution anniversary sees pro-regime rallies amid public anger over crackdowns and heightened US nuclear tensions.

US grand jury rejects charges against 6 Democrats Trump wanted jailed

In a rare rebuke, a federal grand jury refuses to indict veteran lawmakers whom Trump branded as ‘traitors’.

In message to Iran, Trump weighs sending second aircraft carrier to Middle East

The US president warned that the US would have to do ‘something very tough’ if a deal was not reached.

Iran sentences Nobel laureate to 7 more years amid stand-off with US

As Iran extends the jail term for Narges Mohammadi, its foreign minister strikes a maximalist position after US talks.

Iran defies Trump and US pressure over uranium enrichment

Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi insists Iran won’t yield on enrichment, calling resilience – not weapons – its ‘atomic bomb’ despite US threats.

.css-1m2rp1p{color:#34b8b5;}Editorial | Xi’s same-day calls with Trump and Putin showcase head-of-state diplomacy

At a time of geopolitical uncertainty, the extraordinary back-to-back conversations with the leaders of Russia and the US highlight Xi’s diplomatic approach.

Oman mediates Iran-US nuclear talks amid tensions and Trump’s threats

The meeting is the first between the two sides since Washington joined Israel’s war with Tehran in June with strikes on nuclear sites.

Why gold still glitters in Asia despite volatility triggering ‘panic selling’

Investors are also looking to buy more silver despite the recent rush of funds towards the US dollar, analysts say.

China’s expat pilots; Indonesian woman collapses after 140 lashes: 7 highlights

From a Chinese vessel shadowing US aircraft carrier to Hong Kong graduates’ job outlook, here are highlights from SCMP’s recent reporting.

Ahead of talks, Iran deploys ballistic missile at underground ‘missile city’

Tehran signals offensive readiness as negotiators arrive in Oman for high-stakes talks.

What Xi’s calls with Trump and Putin reveal about China’s balancing act

Beijing holds rare same-day talks with Kremlin and White House as powers face headwinds at home, energy uncertainties and nuclear pact’s end.

Xi holds Trump, Putin calls as Iran tensions mount

Iran was among the topics Xi Jinping discussed with his US and Russian counterparts in separate calls on Wednesday ahead of new diplomatic efforts to end the country’s nuclear programme.

Pakistan accuses ‘elements supported by India’ of organising Balochistan attacks

The attacks in recent days in the restive province caused the deaths of more than 250 civilians, security personnel and insurgents.

China’s cheap oil flows under strain as US ramps up Iran, Venezuela pressure

US restrictions could lead China to turn to higher-priced barrels in other markets, while it continues to reduce its reliance on oil imports.

Trump says Iran leaders should be ‘very worried’ as talks near

Negotiations will take place in Oman, but there is disagreement over whether Tehran’s missile programme will be discussed.

Road to equality? Iran formally allows women to ride motorcycles

In a country where women’s public presence is heavily regulated, the right to operate a vehicle is a powerful indicator of shifting social boundaries.

Editorial | Xi’s same-day calls with Trump and Putin showcase head-of-state diplomacy