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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

A vessel at the Strait of Hormuz, off the coast of Oman’s Musandam province. Photo: Reuters

US, Israel war on Iran

Trump says Navy will ‘shoot and kill’ boats laying mines in Strait of Hormuz

Order targets small craft as tensions persist; Pentagon warns clearing advanced mines could take months, raising energy concerns.

6 minutes agovideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

Is the US in decline? Why Iran war might be the surest sign

22 minutes agovideocam

Semiconductors

Asia’s chipmakers feel the heat as naphtha crunch hits photoresist supply

1 hour ago

China energy security

China targets greener AI data centres, heavy industry to meet 2030 climate goals

New emission rules for strategic sectors come as the Iran war reinforces the need for energy security.

2 hours agovideocam

Chinese authorities are pushing for greener digital infrastructure, including data centre and communication network upgrades. Photo: Shutterstock

Belt and Road Initiative

As US-Iran war chokes Hormuz, can ‘Middle Corridor’ rise to the rescue?

Logistics route via Central Asia, South Caucasus, Caspian Sea and Turkey said to be ‘experiencing massive operational momentum’.

3 hours agovideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

Iran’s exiled crown prince splashed with red substance in Berlin

Reza Pahlavi targeted while leaving a press conference where he said diplomacy with Iran ‘has been given enough chance’.

3 hours ago

US, Israel war on Iran

Video | Iran seizes two container ships in Hormuz

The Epaminondas and the MSC Francesca first received warning shots as they tried to cross the Strait of Hormuz.

4 hours ago

Malaysia

Malaysia’s durian growers in ‘survival mode’ as early glut squeezes export trade

An early bumper harvest and rising fuel and freight costs are squeezing premium durian exporters as they race to get their fruit into China.

4 hours agovideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

Chinese military experts take stock of US munitions weak spot exposed by Iran war

Think tank warns that weapons shortfalls could leave American forces vulnerable in a future conflict – and Chinese observers agree.

5 hours agovideocam

China energy security

Nuclear power revival gets boost from Iran war

China is set to open seven nuclear reactors this year, and other countries are reconsidering atomic energy as the Strait of Hormuz shutdown disrupts oil and gas supplies.

5 hours ago

Construction work at a nuclear power plant in Jiangsu province. Photo: Xinhua

US, Israel war on Iran

Powerful reaction: how Iran war could spark Asia’s green hydrogen surge

The war-driven hike in fossil fuel prices is narrowing the cost gap, making the clean energy alternative look like a good option.

23 Apr 2026 - 4:33PMvideocam

A couple looks at a model of the entire industrial chain of green hydrogen, ammonia, methanol, and oil displayed at the China Energy Engineering Group pavilion in Boao on March 25. Photo: Xinhua

US, Israel war on Iran

How Iran responded to Trump’s claimed role in saving 8 women from execution

Trump claimed Iran ‘respected my request’ to save the protesters. Iran’s judiciary said he’s ‘fabricating achievements’.

23 Apr 2026 - 4:28PM

Middle East

Lebanon to confront Israel over demolition of homes since ceasefire

Lebanese officials plan to raise the issue of widespread demolitions at a new round of talks Thursday in Washington.

23 Apr 2026 - 3:41PM

Asean

New direction: Southeast Asian airports fill Middle East hub gap

SIA, Cathay, Korean Air and Qantas have reported an increase in demand for European routes as travellers avoid Middle Eastern hubs.

23 Apr 2026 - 4:12PMvideocam

Passengers enter the departure area at Singapore’s Changi Airport. Photo: AFP

Hong Kong economy

Letters | If energy crisis drags on, Hong Kong may need to rely on conservation

Readers discuss the government’s options as fuel prices stay high, and how the city can improve mental health.

23 Apr 2026 - 11:30AM

A motorcyclist rides by a price board at a petrol station in Causeway Bay on April 10. Photo: Jelly Tse

Malaysia

US intercepts Iranian tankers near India, Malaysia amid Hormuz tensions

The vessels were ordered to move away from their positions as Washington and Tehran intensify their stand-off over the waterway.

23 Apr 2026 - 10:27AMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

Iran latest: Trump has ‘no time frame’ to end war as world waits for peace talks

Iranian president says blockade, threats ‘main obstacles’ to negotiations; and Iran reopens its airspace with some China flights to resume.

23 Apr 2026 - 12:18PMvideocam

Diplomacy

Editorial | Saudi leader’s phone call to Xi Jinping shows shifting global power balance

For long-time US ally Riyadh to seek out China suggests a growing lack of conviction among countries that the US alone can shape the global order.

23 Apr 2026 - 7:15AM

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman welcoming Chinese President Xi Jinping to Riyadh, on December 8, 2022. Photo: AFP

US, Israel war on Iran

Trump envoy seeks to replace Iran with Italy in World Cup, report says

The plan is an attempt to mend ties with Italian PM Meloni, after she and Trump fell out over his attacks against Pope Leo.

23 Apr 2026 - 6:09AM

2026 Trump-Xi summit

As Iran talks go nowhere, will Donald Trump still go to Beijing?

With peace negotiations postponed, it is unclear if the US president will be ready to look at stabilising ties between the two top economies.

22 Apr 2026 - 11:37PMvideocam

France

Second French peacekeeper dies in Lebanon after ambush blamed on Hezbollah

Anicet Girardin is the third French soldier to die since the start of the fighting in the Middle East.

22 Apr 2026 - 10:48PM

A French contingent of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon patrols the area as displaced residents waving Hezbollah flags make their way back to their homes on a makeshift road, in the southern Lebanese area of Al-Qasmiyeh on Saturday. Photo: TNS

US, Israel war on Iran

Video | World’s top condom maker to raise prices over Iran war

Malaysian condom producer Karex plans to raise condom prices by up to 30%.

22 Apr 2026 - 10:12PM

ONE condoms by Karex on display in Petaling Jaya, Malaysia April 21, 2026. REUTERS/Hasnoor Hussain

US, Israel war on Iran

Opinion | How China’s patient diplomacy can help secure peace in Iran

China’s diplomacy, backed by leverage and guarantees of assistance, could provide a template for contemporary conflicts where a single side cannot carry the day.

22 Apr 2026 - 8:30PMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

Iran fires on 3 ships in Strait of Hormuz after Trump extends ceasefire

Iranian media said the MSC Francesca and the Epaminondas were being escorted to Iran.

4 hours agovideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

Trump extends Iran war ceasefire as Strait shutdown drags on

The US president stepped back from resuming attacks on Iran, while both sides maintained blockades of the vital Strait of Hormuz.

22 Apr 2026 - 6:09PM

A satellite image of the Strait of Hormuz. Photo: European Union handout via Reuters

Food and agriculture

Asia braces for food shortages as ‘super El Nino’ and Iran war collide

A precarious planting season looms amid suppressed rainfall and soaring fertiliser costs threatening the region’s harvests.

22 Apr 2026 - 5:06PM

Women sit and eat rice noodles on the sidewalk in Hanoi, Vietnam, on April 14. Photo: AFP

US, Israel war on Iran

Opinion | Iran crisis casts light on energy security from the US to Asia

Rhetoric aside, the US is just not that energy-independent. As for Europe and Asia, it’s time they pursued true energy independence.

22 Apr 2026 - 5:30PM

Singapore

Singapore’s Balakrishnan warns Hormuz just a ‘dry run’ if US, China clash

Foreign minister also says Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia have a ‘strategic interest’ in keeping the Strait of Malacca open.

22 Apr 2026 - 10:53PM

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Iran

Trump says Navy will ‘shoot and kill’ boats laying mines in Strait of Hormuz

Order targets small craft as tensions persist; Pentagon warns clearing advanced mines could take months, raising energy concerns.

Is the US in decline? Why Iran war might be the surest sign

Asia’s chipmakers feel the heat as naphtha crunch hits photoresist supply

China targets greener AI data centres, heavy industry to meet 2030 climate goals

New emission rules for strategic sectors come as the Iran war reinforces the need for energy security.

As US-Iran war chokes Hormuz, can ‘Middle Corridor’ rise to the rescue?

Logistics route via Central Asia, South Caucasus, Caspian Sea and Turkey said to be ‘experiencing massive operational momentum’.

Iran’s exiled crown prince splashed with red substance in Berlin

Reza Pahlavi targeted while leaving a press conference where he said diplomacy with Iran ‘has been given enough chance’.

.css-1t72pn8{color:#C79A00;}Video | Iran seizes two container ships in Hormuz

The Epaminondas and the MSC Francesca first received warning shots as they tried to cross the Strait of Hormuz.

Malaysia’s durian growers in ‘survival mode’ as early glut squeezes export trade

An early bumper harvest and rising fuel and freight costs are squeezing premium durian exporters as they race to get their fruit into China.

Chinese military experts take stock of US munitions weak spot exposed by Iran war

Think tank warns that weapons shortfalls could leave American forces vulnerable in a future conflict – and Chinese observers agree.

Nuclear power revival gets boost from Iran war

China is set to open seven nuclear reactors this year, and other countries are reconsidering atomic energy as the Strait of Hormuz shutdown disrupts oil and gas supplies.

Powerful reaction: how Iran war could spark Asia’s green hydrogen surge

The war-driven hike in fossil fuel prices is narrowing the cost gap, making the clean energy alternative look like a good option.

How Iran responded to Trump’s claimed role in saving 8 women from execution

Trump claimed Iran ‘respected my request’ to save the protesters. Iran’s judiciary said he’s ‘fabricating achievements’.

Lebanon to confront Israel over demolition of homes since ceasefire

Lebanese officials plan to raise the issue of widespread demolitions at a new round of talks Thursday in Washington.

New direction: Southeast Asian airports fill Middle East hub gap

SIA, Cathay, Korean Air and Qantas have reported an increase in demand for European routes as travellers avoid Middle Eastern hubs.

.css-19im5qg{color:#c79a00;}Letters | If energy crisis drags on, Hong Kong may need to rely on conservation

Readers discuss the government’s options as fuel prices stay high, and how the city can improve mental health.

US intercepts Iranian tankers near India, Malaysia amid Hormuz tensions

The vessels were ordered to move away from their positions as Washington and Tehran intensify their stand-off over the waterway.

Iran latest: Trump has ‘no time frame’ to end war as world waits for peace talks

Iranian president says blockade, threats ‘main obstacles’ to negotiations; and Iran reopens its airspace with some China flights to resume.

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}Editorial | Saudi leader’s phone call to Xi Jinping shows shifting global power balance

For long-time US ally Riyadh to seek out China suggests a growing lack of conviction among countries that the US alone can shape the global order.

Trump envoy seeks to replace Iran with Italy in World Cup, report says

The plan is an attempt to mend ties with Italian PM Meloni, after she and Trump fell out over his attacks against Pope Leo.

As Iran talks go nowhere, will Donald Trump still go to Beijing?

With peace negotiations postponed, it is unclear if the US president will be ready to look at stabilising ties between the two top economies.

Second French peacekeeper dies in Lebanon after ambush blamed on Hezbollah

Anicet Girardin is the third French soldier to die since the start of the fighting in the Middle East.

Video | World’s top condom maker to raise prices over Iran war

Malaysian condom producer Karex plans to raise condom prices by up to 30%.

Opinion | How China’s patient diplomacy can help secure peace in Iran

China’s diplomacy, backed by leverage and guarantees of assistance, could provide a template for contemporary conflicts where a single side cannot carry the day.

Iran fires on 3 ships in Strait of Hormuz after Trump extends ceasefire

Iranian media said the MSC Francesca and the Epaminondas were being escorted to Iran.

Trump extends Iran war ceasefire as Strait shutdown drags on

The US president stepped back from resuming attacks on Iran, while both sides maintained blockades of the vital Strait of Hormuz.

Asia braces for food shortages as ‘super El Nino’ and Iran war collide

A precarious planting season looms amid suppressed rainfall and soaring fertiliser costs threatening the region’s harvests.

Opinion | Iran crisis casts light on energy security from the US to Asia

Rhetoric aside, the US is just not that energy-independent. As for Europe and Asia, it’s time they pursued true energy independence.

Singapore’s Balakrishnan warns Hormuz just a ‘dry run’ if US, China clash

Foreign minister also says Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia have a ‘strategic interest’ in keeping the Strait of Malacca open.

Video | Iran seizes two container ships in Hormuz

Letters | If energy crisis drags on, Hong Kong may need to rely on conservation

Editorial | Saudi leader’s phone call to Xi Jinping shows shifting global power balance