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Iran

An image of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, riddled with bullets, on the facade of a government office after the opposition’s takeover of Hama, Syria. Photo: AP

Middle East

Fall of Syria’s Assad catches Middle East powers and the West off guard

Several foreign governments have put out cautious feelers to Hayat Tahrir al-Sham after it toppled Bashar al-Assad’s regime.

4 hours agovideocam

Joe Biden

Biden says Assad’s fall a ‘fundamental act of justice’, but ‘a moment of risk’

4 hours agovideocam

Syria

Syria’s Assad in Moscow after deal on military bases: Russian state media

4 hours ago

Middle East

Israel calls Syria its fourth front after rushing troops to the Golan

Israel’s Netanyahu says ‘central link in Iran’s axis of evil’ has fallen in Syria.

9 minutes agovideocam

Israeli soldiers near armoured vehicles parked along the so-called Alpha Line that separates the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights from Syria. Photo: AP

Middle East

Syrian rebels topple President Assad, prime minister calls for free elections

The rebel forces declared Assad ousted after taking control of Damascus, following 13 years of civil war and 50 years of Assad family rule.

8 Dec 2024 - 8:40PM

Asian cinema

Not yet at home in exile, Iranian filmmaker lives in the world of cinema

For The Seed of the Sacred Fig director Mohammad Rasoulof, a winner in Cannes weeks after fleeing Iran for Germany, exile hasn’t sunk in.

8 Dec 2024 - 6:15PMvideocam

Hong Kong economy

Exclusive | Deepening Hong Kong, Iran ties show US curbs have ‘lost their potency’: envoy

Ambassador Mohsen Bakhtiar says measures have been taken to overcome sanctions restricting Iranian firms from accessing services in the city.

8 Dec 2024 - 4:37PM

Mohsen Bakhtiar, the Iranian ambassador to China, has called for more exchanges between his country and Hong Kong. Photo: Dickson Lee

Middle East

Syria rebels say they control Homs, are advancing on capital Damascus

President Assad’s 24-year rule is dangling by a thread, with one US official saying he could be ousted in the coming week.

8 Dec 2024 - 7:52AM

Middle East

Opinion | China’s Middle East strategy falters as Aleppo falls to rebel forces

While China has invested in Syria’s reconstruction and seeks to expand its regional presence, the renewed violence has put its ambitions on hold.

7 Dec 2024 - 12:30PM

Middle East

Goal is to overthrow Assad with ‘all available means’: Syria’s rebel leader

Islamist-led rebels were at the gates of Syria’s Homs after wresting other key cities from government control.

6 Dec 2024 - 7:01PM

Hama residents cheer as Syrian anti government fighters enter the city. Photo: AFP

Donald Trump

Trump’s threat over Hamas captives stokes fears of higher oil prices for Asia

The US under Trump could take a tougher stance on Iran, which could disrupt oil supplies and push prices up amid hazy outlook, analysts warn.

7 Dec 2024 - 4:31PM

An oil tanker train passes near a refinery in Guwahati. India is among the world’s top oil importers. Photo: AFP

Middle East

Iran says it conducted a successful space launch

Rocket carried an ‘orbital propulsion system’ and research payloads to a 400km orbit above the Earth.

6 Dec 2024 - 4:09PM

Middle East

Hezbollah to pay US$77 million plus rent to families affected by war

Iran-backed group seeks to shore up its support base after a devastating conflict with Israel.

6 Dec 2024 - 10:00AM

China-Middle East relations

Iran’s president vows greater cooperation with China and Russia

President Masoud Pezeshkian tells visiting Chinese Vice-Premier Zhang Guoqing Tehran is committed to their 25-year deal.

5 Dec 2024 - 8:47PMvideocam

Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian told visiting Chinese Vice-Premier Zhang Guoqing Tehran is committed to the 25-year agreement it signed with Beijing. Photo: president.ir

Human rights

Iranian Nobel Peace Prize winner gets 3-week reprieve from prison after surgery

Narges Mohammadi’s release on medical grounds sparks calls for permanent freedom and adequate healthcare.

5 Dec 2024 - 11:20AM

Iranian rights campaigner Narges Mohammadi. File photo: Narges Mohammadi Foundation via AFP

US-China relations

US should blunt ‘collaboration’ by China, North Korea, Russia: senior officials

Outgoing national security adviser urges Trump administration to expand defence cooperation with allies amid ‘dangerous’ global landscape.

6 Dec 2024 - 12:00AMvideocam

Middle East

Syrian conflict escalates as US-backed forces clash with Assad’s troops

The clashes come after rebel advances in Aleppo and Hama, highlighting the volatile situation in the region.

3 Dec 2024 - 8:30PM

Middle East

Iraqi fighters head to Syria to battle rebels but Hezbollah stays out: sources

Iran also said it will provide ‘any support needed’ after rebels seized Aleppo last week in a lightning assault.

3 Dec 2024 - 10:08AM

Syrian rebels on top of a military aircraft after gaining control of the Nayrab military airport in Aleppo on Monday. Photo: dpa

Middle East

‘More of this can come’: what Syria attack means for Middle East power balance

Turkey and Israel’s ‘uncoordinated battle’ has raised questions about Iran and Russia’s ability to rescue Assad and his regime, analysts say.

2 Dec 2024 - 10:35PMvideocam

Middle East

Syria launches counter-attacks in an attempt to halt insurgency

Shock rebel offensive saw government forces lose control of Aleppo for the first time since the start of the country’s civil war.

2 Dec 2024 - 1:23PM

War and conflict

Opinion | 4 critical concerns about the Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire

The 60-day truce may not lead to lasting peace, with potential for conflict escalation in Syria and unclear troop withdrawal plans.

30 Nov 2024 - 12:30PMvideocam

Women on a scooter hold a Hezbollah flag as they drive past a destroyed building in Beirut on Wednesday following the ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah. Photo: AP

Middle East

Syrian rebels seize most of Aleppo, Russian air strikes have ‘limited utility’

The attack by the Islamist militant group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham marks the most significant challenge in years to President Bashar al-Assad.

30 Nov 2024 - 8:31PM

Fighters fire at Syrian Army troops in the Rashidin district on the outskirts of Aleppo on Friday. Photo: AFP

European Union

Russia waging ‘reckless’ sabotage campaign in Europe: UK spy chief

Head of UK’s MI6 said the group recently uncovered a ‘staggeringly reckless campaign of Russian sabotage in Europe’.

30 Nov 2024 - 1:36AMvideocam

Singapore

Singapore hangs fourth drug trafficker in less than a month

Tehran had urged the government to ‘reconsider’ the execution of Masoud Rahimi Mehrzad, a Singaporean-Iranian man.

29 Nov 2024 - 3:19PM

Middle East

Israel’s Netanyahu warns Iran over nuclear policy

Renewed war of words between Middle East foes comes ahead of key nuclear talks with European nations.

29 Nov 2024 - 1:40PM

Iranian missiles displayed at the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Aerospace Force Museum in Tehran. Photo: West Asia Press Agency via Reuters

Britain

Ex-UK soldier found guilty of spying for Iran

He had gathered a ‘very large body of restricted and classified material’ while posted in the UK and US.

28 Nov 2024 - 8:37PMvideocam

A wanted sign featuring an image of Daniel Abed Khalife is displayed near Wandsworth prison in London. Photo: Reuters

Middle East

‘Nixon in China’: can Trump and Iran reach a ‘grand bargain’ Middle East deal?

Officials are aiming to reach agreements to end the Israel-Gaza war and on Iran’s nuclear programme following the Lebanon ceasefire deal.

28 Nov 2024 - 4:40PMvideocam

Middle East

Iran to hold nuclear talks in Geneva with European powers

Iran accelerated uranium enrichment plans after the UN atomic watchdog passed a resolution against Tehran.

24 Nov 2024 - 11:19PM

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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

last updated:

29 November, 2024