Israel-Iran conflict: Latest News and Updates | South China Morning Post (2025)

Israel-Iran conflict

The long-standing proxy conflict between Israel and Iran dramatically escalated into direct confrontations on June 13, 2025. Israel launched a surprise aerial campaign targeting sites across Iran, stating its aim was to prevent Iran from acquiring atomic weapons. Iran, which has long claimed its nuclear programme is for peaceful purposes, retaliated with missile attacks, leading to successive tit-for-tat exchanges and raising fears of an all-out war between the two foes.

Israel

Israelis relieved by US bombardment of Iran, united behind warIsrael’s air defences have kept people relatively safe, shooting down hundreds of projectiles that would otherwise cause widespread devastation.

LIVE

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

73

China-Middle East relations

China condemns US strikes on Iran, calls for ceasefire and talks

videocam

54

Iran

US, Israel crossed ‘big red line’, Iran FM says as he heads to MoscowIran’s top diplomat calls US strikes a ‘grave crime’, vows Iran will defend itself ‘by all means necessary’.

videocam

US-China relations

Mideast distractions won’t shift US’ long-term focus on China: analystsAmerican assets have been redeployed from the Indo-Pacific to help on Iran front, but Washington’s aim remains the same.

videocam

20

Donald Trump

Oil price spike likely following US strikes on Iran, investors sayThe reaction in Middle East stock markets suggested investors were assuming a benign scenario, even as Iran intensified its missile attacks on Israel.

videocam

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

China-Middle East relations

As US enters Israel-Iran conflict, are China’s Middle East interests at risk?Escalating tensions could threaten Chinese investments in region and delay trade war negotiations, analysts say.

Iran

Iran hitting back at US inevitable as window for diplomacy narrows: analystsTehran’s options include striking US military assets with ballistic missiles and exiting a nuclear treaty to ‘save face’.

videocam

12

Iran

US strikes on Iran boost Netanyahu’s prospects as Israel faces new realityInitial celebration gives way to fears of Iranian retaliation, sparking uncertainty about future dynamics in the Middle East.

videocam

Iran

‘This is not our fight’: US attacks on Iran stoke debate over Trump’s powerDemocrats and some Republicans said the strikes were unconstitutional, demanding more information in a classified setting.

videocam

5

Iran

‘Dangerous escalation’: world reacts to US strikes on Iran’s nuclear sitesWhile Israel praised Trump’s action, Iran warned of ‘everlasting consequences’ as the UN and others called for de-escalation in the conflict.

videocam

4

Iran

A look at the Iranian nuclear sites bombed by USThe strikes targeted facilities at Natanz, Fordow and Isfahan, which is also home to three Chinese research reactors.

videocam

6

Iran

Trump’s Iran strikes: risky bet on ‘peace’ or a recipe for wider war?It remained to be seen whether the attacks mark the totality of direct US involvement in the conflict or the opening salvo of a larger campaign.

videocam

15

Iran

Trump claims US ‘obliterated’ Iran nuclear sites, threatens more attacksUS president calls strikes a ‘spectacular military success’ as Iran’s top diplomat warns of ‘everlasting consequences’.

videocam

333

Ali Khamenei

Iran’s Khamenei making preparations for successor, US news report saysThe supreme leader has named three possible replacements in case he is assassinated by Israel, the article says, citing Iranian officials.

videocam

Iran

US B-2 bombers moving to Guam amid Israel-Iran tensionsThe aircraft can carry the GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrators designed to strike underground targets like Iran’s Fordow nuclear site.

videocam

14

Israel-Gaza war

Pro-Palestinian demonstrators march in London amid fears of wider warThere have been monthly protests in the British capital since the start of the 20-month-long war between Israel and Hamas, which has ravaged Gaza.

videocam

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Iran

Israel says Iran’s supposed nuclear programme delayed by 2 yearsThe comment comes after US President Donald Trump warned Iran of a ‘maximum’ of two weeks for Tehran to avoid possible American air strikes.

videocam

7

US-China relations

Alert sounded in Taiwan as US carrier Nimitz sails to the Middle East. Why?Taiwan depends on US military presence to act as a bulwark against Beijing, but America may find itself stretched in a volatile world.

videocam

23

Pakistan

Pakistan gets caught in Israel vs Iran disinformation crossfireThe fake news barrage has included clips of Trump, Pakistan’s defence minister and an Iranian official making explosive, false claims.

videocam

Middle East

Opinion | Flying into the storm: how Middle East conflict reshapes global air routesThe airline industry has been re-routing routes and avoiding conflict zones in the Middle East while keeping an eye on rising costs.

videocam

Donald Trump

‘Maximum’ 2 weeks for US decision on joining Israel against Iran: TrumpPresident also says he declined Tehran’s call for him to urge Israel to stop its air strikes, calling request ‘very hard to make’.

videocam

33

Diplomacy

Israel-Iran war: EU diplomatic push yields hope of more talks, no breakthroughWestern and Iranian officials held their first face-to-face meeting since the start of the conflict centred on Tehran’s nuclear programme.

videocam

Vladimir Putin

Putin says Russia has shared peace proposals with Israel and IranAs for the possibility of Ukraine using a radioactive ‘dirty bomb’ against Russia, Putin said such an action would be ‘their last mistake’.

videocam

11

Iran

Israel, Iran exchange fresh attacks in week-old air war amid new diplomatic pushIran’s top diplomat heads for crucial talks with European counterparts as Trump delays decision on Iran strike.

videocam

10

Israel

By air, land and sea, nations race to evacuate citizens from Israel and IranCaught between warring nations, thousands of foreign nationals are being moved out of Israel and Iran in complex logistical operations.

Asian Football Confederation (AFC)

Women’s Asian Cup qualifiers moved to Qatar over Israel-Iran conflict fearsSingapore, Jordan, Iran, Lebanon and Bhutan had been expected to play in tournament in Amman, starting on Monday.

Iran

Israel says Iran fired cluster bomb-bearing missile at civiliansThis is the first reported use of the controversial weapons in the war; cluster munitions can kill or maim long after a conflict ends.

62

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Help preserve 120 years of quality journalism.

SUPPORT NOW

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Israel-Iran conflict: Latest News and Updates | South China Morning Post (2025)

References

Top Articles
New Mexico tackles crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous people with new alert system | CNN
Drones, not diplomats: China’s new warfare strategy is loud, fast, autonomous — and already war-ready
Why Texas Tech was the choice for Benedictine's star junior quarterback Stephen Cannon
Latest Posts
Less Deep Sleep Linked to Brain Shrinkage, Alzheimer’s Risk - Neuroscience News
'Forgotten' Al Pacino classic film is a 'work of art'
Recommended Articles
Article information

Author: Kelle Weber

Last Updated:

Views: 6315

Rating: 4.2 / 5 (53 voted)

Reviews: 92% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Kelle Weber

Birthday: 2000-08-05

Address: 6796 Juan Square, Markfort, MN 58988

Phone: +8215934114615

Job: Hospitality Director

Hobby: tabletop games, Foreign language learning, Leather crafting, Horseback riding, Swimming, Knapping, Handball

Introduction: My name is Kelle Weber, I am a magnificent, enchanting, fair, joyous, light, determined, joyous person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.