7 d. ago China should be alert to risk of US being drawn into war by allies, analyst says

There is more risk of a global military conflict breaking out under Donald Trump’s leadership, with the US more likely to be drawn into wars involving smaller nations or allies, according to Chinese analysts. The assessment came after the United States joined Israel’s war against Iran last weekend, carrying out military strikes on three nuclear sites in the Islamic Republic. US officials have signalled that the operation was a one-off intervention and – hours after Iran launched a missile attack...

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1 week ago Chinese airlines’ advantage, Chongqing as key trade hub: SCMP daily highlights

Catch up on some of SCMP’s biggest China stories of the day. If you would like to see more of our reporting, please consider subscribing. 1. As skies in Mideast close, China airlines have key advantage – Russian airspace Western airlines risk suffering greater disruption than their Chinese rivals this summer, as the escalating conflict between Iran and Israel – compounded by US military strikes – forces most carriers to avoid flying over dangerous airspace on China-Europe routes. 2. Suez Canal...

Politics

1 week ago Russia backs Iran with 'clear stance', slams US, Israel strikes; Beijing signals readiness to maintain stability | World News

Russia backs Iran with 'clear stance', slams US, Israel strikes; Beijing signals readiness to maintain stability | World News - Hindustan Times  Hindustan Times

Politics

1 week ago As skies in Mideast close, China airlines have key advantage – Russian airspace

Western airlines risk suffering greater disruption than their Chinese rivals this summer, as the escalating conflict between Iran and Israel – compounded by US military strikes – forces most carriers to avoid flying over dangerous airspace on China-Europe routes. Analysts said that while almost all carriers have diverted services to bypass Iran and parts of the Middle East, Western firms are at a disadvantage: they remain barred from Russian airspace, which Chinese companies continue to...

Politics

1 week ago Iran attacks US military base in Qatar, after vowing response to strikes on nuclear sites

The Middle East crisis has intensified after Iran struck back against the United States following recent US actions targeting its nuclear programme. This critical development escalates an already volatile situation, building on weeks of rising tensions between arch-rivals Iran and Israel – and now, Israel’s key ally, the United States. Since June 13, Israel and Iran have exchanged wave after wave of devastating and deadly strikes. Israel launched its aerial campaign asserting that Tehran is on...

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1 week ago US and Israel defend military strikes on Iran's nuclear sites at UN

US and Israel defend military strikes on Iran's nuclear sites at UN  Euronews.com

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1 week ago Pentagon says US operation against Iran nuclear sites inflicted ‘severe damage’

The Middle East is plunged deeper into crisis after the United States launched strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, which US President Donald Trump said “completely and fully obliterated” three key sites, marking a major escalation in the Israel-Iran air war. Detailing a complex strike mission dubbed “Midnight Hammer” that involved seven B-2 bombers and the deployment of Massive Ordnance Penetrator “bunker buster” bombs for the first time in a conflict, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said...

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2 w. ago Putin and Xi condemn Israel over its Iran strikes in phone call, Kremlin says

Putin and Xi condemn Israel over its Iran strikes in phone call, Kremlin says  Reuters

Politics

2 w. ago Israel ‘ready to keep talking to China’ despite criticism of Iran air strikes

Israel wants to “continue talking” to China despite its repeated condemnations of the recent attacks on Iran, its ambassador to Beijing has said. Eli Belotserkovsky did not rule out the possibility of China acting as a mediator but in an interview with the SCMP on Wednesday he said the country’s biggest concern was its military operation. Asked about Beijing’s position, Belotserkovsky said Israel’s relations with China were “very important”, and that the two sides had open channels of...

Politics

2 w. ago China weighs strategic impact as US mulls military response in Iran

China is likely to remain cautious about intervening in the escalating Israel-Iran conflict even if the US engages militarily, a prospect that would bring mixed results for Beijing, according to observers. Speculation over US intervention has grown since last Friday, following Israel’s most intense strikes on Iran in decades. Washington has since sent an aircraft carrier from the South China Sea and deployed a large number of fighter and tanker aircraft to the Middle East. US President Donald...

Events

2 w. ago Trump demands Khamenei’s ‘unconditional surrender’ in standoff with Iran

Introduction The Middle East finds itself on the precipice as the conflict between arch-foes Iran and Israel is on its fifth brutal day, with both sides escalating their attacks and the civilian toll mounting. As Israeli strikes continue to zero in on Iran’s nuclear facilities and other targets, and Iranian missiles light up the skies over Israeli cities, a chilling new dimension has been added to the crisis: a demand from US President Donald Trump to Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali...

Politics

2 w. ago Israel strikes Tehran for sixth day after Trump threatens Iran’s leader

The Middle East finds itself on the precipice as the conflict between arch-foes Iran and Israel, now in its sixth brutal day, intensifies with both sides continuing their attacks and the civilian toll mounting. As Israeli strikes target Iran’s nuclear facilities and other sites, and Iranian missiles light up the skies over Israeli cities, a chilling new dimension has been added to the crisis: a demand from US President Donald Trump to Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei for an...

Politics

2 w. ago Iran’s Khamenei rejects Trump’s demand for surrender as US weighs military options

The Middle East is on the brink as the conflict between Iran and Israel, now in its sixth day, escalates as US President Donald Trump considers whether to deepen US involvement. As Israeli strikes target Iran’s nuclear facilities and other sites, and Iranian missiles light up the skies over Israeli cities, a chilling new dimension has been added to the crisis: a demand from Trump to Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei for an “unconditional surrender”. Trump’s demand on Tuesday was...

Events

2 w. ago China expresses backing for Tehran, opposition to Israeli strikes in separate calls with Araghchi, Sa'ar

China expresses backing for Tehran, opposition to Israeli strikes in separate calls with Araghchi, Sa'ar  The Times of IsraelChina Reacts to Israel's Attack on Iran  NewsweekIsrael's drone strikes in Iran show why US must halt China's land grab here: experts  Fox News

Politics

2 w. ago China condemns Israeli strikes on Iran, warns of 'red line' breach

China condemns Israeli strikes on Iran, warns of 'red line' breach  Tehran Times

Events

3 w. ago Israel's drone strikes in Iran show why US must halt China's land grab here: experts

Israel's drone strikes in Iran show why US must halt China's land grab here: experts  Fox News

Events

3 w. ago China criticizes Israeli strikes on Iran, warns of ‘potential grave consequences’

China criticizes Israeli strikes on Iran, warns of ‘potential grave consequences’  Washington Times

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3 w. ago China warns of ‘serious consequences’ after Israeli strikes on Iran, urges de

China warns of ‘serious consequences’ after Israeli strikes on Iran, urges de-escalation  Anadolu Ajansı

Events

3 w. ago China warns of fallout from Israel’s strikes on Iran, eyes role in easing crisis

Beijing has voiced “grave concern” over the potential fallout from Israeli strikes on Iran and urged all sides to prevent further escalation, while diplomatic observers highlighted China’s potential in coordinating with stakeholders and brokering a ceasefire. At a regular press briefing on Friday, foreign ministry spokesman Lin Jian said that China firmly opposed any violations of Iran’s sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity, as well as actions that “escalate the tension”. “The sudden...

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