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...

Events

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...

Events

9 d. ago 'They would be committing suicide': Former Pentagon official explains why China won’t let Iran choke Hormuz lifeline

'They would be committing suicide': Former Pentagon official explains why China won’t let Iran choke Hormuz lifeline  Business Today

Politics

1 week ago China to evacuate citizens from Israel, US brain drain: 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. China to evacuate citizens from Israel via Egypt border as conflict escalates China’s embassy in Israel said it would begin evacuating nationals via the Egyptian border from Friday. Hundreds have already left the country, while about 1,600 Chinese citizens have left Iran over the last few days. 2. Will US actively join Israel against Iran? Pentagon chief...

Politics

1 week ago Will US actively join Israel against Iran? Pentagon chief stays mum

As the world watched anxiously whether the Middle East descends into wider war and the US actively joins Israel against Iran, Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth sidestepped direct questions before Congress on Wednesday and otherwise declined to shed insights into the administration’s plans. The Pentagon chief told the powerful Senate Armed Services Committee that the final decision on what course America would take was in the hands of US President Donald Trump, describing his own role as furnishing...

Politics

1 week ago China’s possible peace role, firms flock to air show: 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. China may offer to play ‘constructive’ role in mediating Iran-Israel conflict China is expected to play an “active” role in trying to broker a ceasefire between Israel and Iran, but analysts warned there may be limits to what it could achieve. 2. After tight-lipped talks in London, the US-China silence speaks volumes A week after the second round of...

Politics

1 week ago Could China help broker a ceasefire between Iran and Israel?

China is expected to play an “active” role in trying to broker a ceasefire between Israel and Iran, but analysts warned there may be limits to what it could achieve. The two countries traded strikes for a fifth straight day on Tuesday, as China warned its citizens to leave both countries as “soon as possible” because of the “severe” security situation. President Xi Jinping, speaking during a visit to Kazakhstan for a summit with Central Asian countries, called on all parties to work to...

Politics

1 week ago China may offer to play ‘constructive’ role in mediating Iran

China is expected to play an “active” role in trying to broker a ceasefire between Israel and Iran, but analysts warned there may be limits to what it could achieve. The two countries traded strikes for a fifth straight day on Tuesday, as China warned its citizens to leave both countries as “soon as possible” because of the “severe” security situation. President Xi Jinping, speaking during a visit to Kazakhstan for a summit with Central Asian countries, called on all parties to work to...

Politics