10 h. ago Nuclear talks ‘a trap’? North Korea doubts US intentions after Iran bombing

When the US bombed Iran’s nuclear sites last month, Washington may have inadvertently sent Pyongyang the clearest signal yet that relinquishing its nuclear arsenal could expose North Korea to the very attacks it aims to avoid. Political analysts say Washington’s hardline approach to Iran’s uranium enrichment has only cemented the North Korean leadership’s deep-seated conviction that nuclear weapons are the ultimate deterrent. Compounding this, as Pyongyang has forged closer strategic bonds with...

Events

5 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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6 d. ago US strike on Iran highlights China’s need for strategic bombers, analysts say

Strategic bombers remain “irreplaceable” for China’s military – even as it makes progress with sixth-generation fighters and long-range missiles – given their role in global strikes and nuclear deterrence, analysts say. They pointed to the American B-2 stealth bombers that hit Iran’s three nuclear sites on Saturday, dropping bunker-buster bombs directly over the facilities before returning unscathed. Seven of the B-2 bombers were flown nearly 27,000km (16,700 miles) – supported by more than 100...

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6 d. ago Did US strikes wipe out Iran’s nuclear facilities? Chinese experts sceptical

Chinese defence experts expressed scepticism about US President Donald Trump’s claim that air strikes had “obliterated” Iran’s biggest nuclear facilities, following reports that core components of Tehran’s nuclear assets remained intact. CNN reported on Tuesday that an assessment by the Defence Intelligence Agency, the Pentagon’s intelligence arm, was at odds with Trump’s claim that Iran’s enrichment sites – Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan – were “completely and totally obliterated”. While the full...

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8 d. ago Should Taiwan worry about the US being bogged down in the Mideast again?

A US war in the Middle East could leave its armed forces stretched too thin to respond swiftly to a Taiwan Strait crisis, analysts on the island warned after the US launched multiple precision strikes on nuclear-related sites in Iran on the weekend. While US President Donald Trump was quick to describe the operation as a “very successful attack”, defence analysts and lawmakers in Taipei suggested that American attention could be diverted from the Taiwan Strait. Their core concern: that the...

Politics

8 d. ago Should Taiwan worry about the US being bogged down in the Middle East again?

A US war in the Middle East could leave its armed forces stretched too thin to respond swiftly to a Taiwan Strait crisis, analysts on the island warned after the US launched multiple precision strikes on nuclear-related sites in Iran on the weekend. While US President Donald Trump was quick to describe the operation as a “very successful attack”, defence analysts and lawmakers in Taipei suggested that American attention could be diverted from the Taiwan Strait. Their core concern: that the...

Politics

8 d. ago Russia, China warn of broader conflict after US strikes Iran’s nuclear sites

Russia, China warn of broader conflict after US strikes Iran’s nuclear sites  Straight Arrow News

Events

8 d. 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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8 d. ago Trump thanks Iran for ‘early notice’ after attacks US military base in Qatar

The Middle East crisis appeared to widen after Iran struck back against the United States by firing missiles at an American military base in Qatar, a development that built on weeks of rising tensions between arch-rivals Iran and Israel – and now, Israel’s key ally, the US. The scale of Iran’s attacks on Monday were limited, and an earlier report of a missile targeting a US base in Iraq on Monday turned out to be false, sending key stock market indices higher and oil prices lower. And, US...

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8 d. ago Trump claims Israel, Iran agree to ceasefire to be phased in over 24 hours

US President Donald Trump claimed that Israel and Iran have agreed to a ceasefire that is meant to take effect in 24 hours, a dramatic change in direction just hours after the Middle East crisis appeared to widen. Earlier on Monday, Iran struck back against the United States by firing missiles at an American military base in Qatar, a development that built on weeks of rising tensions between arch-rivals Iran and Israel – and now, Israel’s key ally, the US. The scale of Iran’s attacks on Monday...

Politics

8 d. ago Trump claims Israel, Iran agree to ceasefire amid reports of renewed bombing

US President Donald Trump claimed that Israel and Iran have agreed to a ceasefire that is meant to take effect in 24 hours, a dramatic change in direction just hours after the Middle East crisis appeared to widen. Earlier on Monday, Iran struck back against the United States by firing missiles at an American military base in Qatar, a development that built on weeks of rising tensions between arch-rivals Iran and Israel – and now, Israel’s key ally, the US. Shortly after Trump’s ceasefire...

Politics

8 d. ago Israel’s defence minister orders attacks on Iran after ceasefire ‘violation’

Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said Tuesday he had ordered the army “to respond forcefully to Iran’s violation of the ceasefire” after incoming Iranian missiles were reported by the military. Hours earlier, Israel and Iran accepted a ceasefire plan proposed by US President Donald Trump. Trump announced on Monday that Israel and Iran have agreed to a “complete and total ceasefire” that is meant to take effect in 24 hours, a dramatic change in direction just hours after the Middle East...

Politics

8 d. ago Trump’s ceasefire plan in doubt as Israel accuses Iran of ‘violation’

Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said on Tuesday he has ordered the army “to respond forcefully to Iran’s violation of the ceasefire” after the military reported incoming Iranian missiles. This came despite an agreement brokered by US President Donald Trump, which Iran, however, denied violating. The dramatic ceasefire plan was announced by Trump on Monday, stating Israel and Iran had agreed to a “complete and total ceasefire” set to take effect within 24 hours. This marked a significant...

Politics

9 d. 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

Events

9 d. ago US strikes Iran nuclear sites, Labubu faces competition: 5 weekend reads

We have put together stories from our coverage last weekend to help you stay informed about news across Asia and beyond. If you would like to see more of our reporting, please consider subscribing. 1. Trump claims US ‘obliterated’ Iran nuclear sites, threatens more attacks 2. How much of a future does Elon Musk really have in US politics? 3. Move over Labubu – Fugglers look to take crown from Hong Kong-designed plush toy 4. How Huawei’s silicon strategy defies US sanctions, advances China’s...

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9 d. ago China says US attack on Iran’s nuclear sites damaged ‘Washington’s credibility’ in diplomacy

China says US attack on Iran’s nuclear sites damaged ‘Washington’s credibility’ in diplomacy  The Times of Israel

Events

9 d. ago Pentagon says US operation against Iran nuclear sites was ‘overwhelming success’

The Middle East has been 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. US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said on Sunday that the operation “was an incredible and overwhelming success”. “It was powerful, and it was clear we devastated the Iranian nuclear program, but it’s worth noting the operation, did...

Events

9 d. 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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9 d. ago China, US at loggerheads in emergency UN Security Council meeting on Iran

China and the United States were at loggerheads in an emergency UN Security Council meeting called a day after the United States launched strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, a move that marked a major escalation in the Israel-Iran air war. “We call for an immediate ceasefire and end to the hostilities in the context of the abrupt escalation of tensions in the Middle East,” said Fu Cong, China’s ambassador to the UN. “We call for effective protection of civilians. The ultimate victims of all...

Events

9 d. ago World braces for Iran’s response after US attack on nuclear sites

The Middle East crisis dramatically deepened on the weekend after the US launched strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities. This marked a major escalation in the ongoing Israel-Iran air war. The US has revealed details of its “Midnight Hammer” operation, a complex strike using B-2 bombers and “bunker buster” bombs for the first time. While US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth maintains the mission is “not about regime change”, President Donald Trump has publicly questioned this stance on social...

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