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Saudi Arabia
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Saudi Arabia

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Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia
The latest news, analysis and opinion on Saudi Arabia. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.
Capital
Riyadh
Head of State
King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud
Head of Government
Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud
The Panama-flagged container ship M/V Vela Nova. On Tuesday, the US Navy said it had fired on the ship after it attempted to break the US blockade of Iran’s ports. Photo: Vladimir Tonic / Handout via Reuters
US, Israel war on Iran

US says it has fired on ship in Gulf of Oman to enforce Iranian ports blockade

A US Navy helicopter fired on and disabled the Panama-flagged ship after the crew ignored warnings from US forces, said US Central Command.

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India

‘Islamic Nato’? Why Pakistan’s new defence pact has India on edge

India

Can India and China rally Brics to ease Strait of Hormuz tensions?

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US, Israel war on Iran

Trump demands Iran pay compensation as hopes fade for Hormuz agreement

US president says the issue must be included in future negotiations after Tehran sought damages for US and Israeli strikes.

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Black smoke rises following explosions near a military base hosting US forces in the northern Iraqi city of Irbil in July. Photo: AP
China-Middle East relations

China, India and Pakistan’s dangerous nuclear triangle just got more complicated

New Delhi faces a strategic headache from its main rival’s defensive pact with Turkey and the Saudis – but it may be better news for Beijing.

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China-Middle East relations

‘Islamic Nato’ may create China opening in Middle East

A new military alliance between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkey creates a potential gap with the US and the possibility of greater China influence in the region.

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Pakistan

Pakistan says ‘purely defensive’ Mecca accord is open to others

Egypt is likely to join the defence deal, signed by Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkey amid rising tensions between the US and Iran.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman shakes hands with Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif after signing a joint defence agreement in Mecca on Friday. Photo: Handout/Reuters
Middle East

Yemen’s Houthis attack Saudi refinery, testing new defence pact

Rebel strikes hit Jazan oil complex and kill seven in Mocha as Saudi Arabia seals security alliance with Turkey and Pakistan.

China-Middle East relations

China waits in wings as Mecca pact signals Gulf move beyond US security umbrella

The Nato-style deal between Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkey highlights the growing doubts in the region about over-reliance on Washington.

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US, Israel war on Iran

Iran says Oman deal is in ‘final stages’ but US must act to open Hormuz

Iran and the US are not engaged in talks and Tehran will not start them as long as Washington breaches an interim deal signed in June.

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Vehicles drive past an anti-US billboard at Enghelab Square in central Tehran, Iran on Sunday. The Iranian Foreign Ministry said the agreement with Oman would not imply reopening the Strait of Hormuz without the United States accepting the Iranian proposals. Photo: EPA
Middle East

How Saudi-Turkey-Pakistan pact acts as ‘insurance’ over US disengagement

The Mecca deal may emerge as a third geopolitical ‘centre of gravity’ in the Middle East, with more members joining, analysts say.

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Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (centre), flanked by Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (left) and Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, signing a joint defence agreement in Mecca on Friday. Photo: Turkish Presidency Press Office/AFP
Middle East

UN warns Yemen at greatest risk of renewed major conflict since 2022 truce

The Houthis said on Friday they had targeted Saudi-backed forces, a day ‌after at least 30 Yemeni government troops were killed in strikes.

Middle East

Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan sign joint defence deal

The nations are particularly concerned by the increasingly aggressive military stances of both Israel and revolutionary Shiite Iran.

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Middle East

Houthi attacks kill dozens of troops in Yemen, wound civilians in Saudi Arabia

Assaults mark one of the deadliest escalations since a truce with Yemen’s Saudi-backed government in 2022.

Armed Houthi supporters stand before a banner depicting missiles in Sanaa, Yemen. Photo: Reuters
US, Israel war on Iran

Iran seeks to bar US and Israeli ships in Hormuz deal with Oman

Tehran pushes for strict transit bans and fees in draft waterway pact as Trump claims negotiations are ‘moving along good’.

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People spend time at a beach as commercial vessels are anchored in the Strait of Hormuz off Bandar Abbas, Iran, on Wednesday. Photo: ISNA via AP
US, Israel war on Iran

How US became trapped in ‘dreadful situation’ of its own making over Iran war

With Iran holding firm to its grip on the Strait of Hormuz, Trump faces one of two choices: capitulate or risk a ‘forever war’, experts say.

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US, Israel war on Iran

Indian ship sinks in Red Sea after attack near Yemen

Yemeni officials blamed the Iran-backed Houthis, while New Delhi condemned the ‘unprovoked’ aggression.

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Israel

US-Saudi nuclear doubt, Boko Haram’s AI terrorism: 7 global relations reads

From US arms promises to EU sanctions and USMCA troubles, here are highlights from the SCMP’s overseas correspondents in July 2026.

Boko Haram has been found to use both Chinese and American AIs in their terrroism plots – possibly with advice from Islamic State. Photo: Shutterstock
Yuan

Fresh mBridge progress boosts cross-border digital yuan push

China’s Project mBridge, the multilateral central bank digital currency platform, is moving closer to broader commercial adoption.

US, Israel war on Iran

Trump claims ‘last chance’ for Iran to strike deal in latest warning

US president also says negotiations with Tehran are ‘going on right now’ despite Tehran’s insistence no direct talks were under way.

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US, Israel war on Iran

Trump says new talks with Iran set to begin after calling off attack

US president said negotiations would start Monday, but offered no details on the location or participants.

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US President Donald Trump speaks to reporters aboard Air Force One on Sunday. Photo: AFP
US, Israel war on Iran

Trump holds off Iran strikes after Middle East allies outline deal

Trump says the deal will include an end to Iran’s nuclear threat and ‘the immediate, complete and total opening’ of the Strait of Hormuz.

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US President Donald Trump gives a thumbs-up as he walks to board Marine One following his arrival at Morristown Municipal Airport on Friday. Photo: Reuters
US, Israel war on Iran

Iran’s foreign minister warns of any ‘adventurous action’ by US

Abbas Araqchi said Iran would retaliate if the US follows through on Trump’s threat of fresh attacks on the country.

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US, Israel war on Iran

US embassies urge citizens to consider departing Middle East

The warning by embassies including those in the UAE, Qatar, Israel, Oman and Bahrain came after Trump threatened to hit Iran ‘very hard’.

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US, Israel war on Iran

US launches more strikes on Iran as conflict spreads across region

Pentagon retaliates following attempted attacks targeting American forces while fighting draws in Tehran-backed proxies.

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An explosion at an unknown location, during what the US military says are strikes on Iran. Photo: US Central Command via Reuters
United Nations

Opinion | Can the gigacities of tomorrow keep human connection alive?

We have learned to accommodate more people in larger metropolises while losing the ability to bring those people together into families.

Illustration: Brian Wang
Banking & finance

Standard Chartered posts 10% profit rise, launches US$1b buy-back

Share price surges on 38 per cent rise in wealth-management revenue, even as Middle East tensions and bad debt temper profit growth.

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Banking & finance

Editorial | China’s drive to sidestep weaponised Western finance gains speed

Use of a multilateral central bank digital currency platform and a broader panda bond market will help China and other nations reduce reliance on the West.

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