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Bahrain

The latest news, analysis and opinion on Bahrain. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.

Capital

Manama

Head of State

King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa

Head of Government

Prime Minister Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa

Aluminium prices have surged since the start of the Iran war and is the metal most exposed to the conflict. Photo: Shutterstock

US, Israel war on Iran

Aluminium supply crunch threatens Asia’s clean energy push amid Iran war

Key Gulf plants have been hit by Iranian missiles, causing a drop in output of the metal used in making solar panels and wind turbines.

20 May 2026 - 8:00AMvideocam

Middle East

‘Structural shift’: new routes for Middle East freight to bypass Hormuz

3 May 2026 - 10:30AM

Pakistan

Pakistan seeks to shield Gulf states as US-Iran talks set to resume

15 Apr 2026 - 10:50PMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

US-Iran talks leave Gulf states on edge about the price of peace

The six GCC nations worry that the US will prioritise Tehran’s needs and leave the Gulf monarchies vulnerable to Iranian retaliation.

10 Apr 2026 - 7:01PMvideocam

Police officers walk towards the president’s official residence in Islamabad, as Pakistan prepares to host the US and Iran for peace talks on Friday. Photo: Reuters

US, Israel war on Iran

Strait of Hormuz: is a Trump‑Iran joint venture really possible?

With regime change increasingly out of reach, the US president may pivot towards a business deal with Tehran’s fractured leadership.

9 Apr 2026 - 8:45PMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

Russia and China veto UN resolution aimed at reopening Strait of Hormuz

Beijing and Moscow blocked Gulf-backed resolution hours before the US and Iran agreed to a two-week ceasefire.

8 Apr 2026 - 8:57AM

US, Israel war on Iran

Trump says China helped get Iran to the negotiating table for ceasefire deal

Washington receives ‘10-point proposal from Iran’ with US president claiming it could serve as ‘a workable basis on which to negotiate’.

8 Apr 2026 - 11:28AMvideocam

235

US President Donald Trump speaks to reporters as he warns of potential escalation ahead of a deadline for Iran to accept a peace deal. Photo: AP

Malaysia

AirAsia X hikes fares by 40%, cuts capacity by 10% as Iran war impacts fuel

Founder Tony Fernandes said the higher prices were ‘unavoidable’ after the average cost of jet fuel more than doubled to US$200 per barrel.

6 Apr 2026 - 4:47PM

Middle East

UAE, Bahrain and Kuwait lose water, energy infrastructure to Iran strikes

Gulf countries have faced repeated drone and missile salvoes over Iran’s accusation that its neighbours allow US forces to carry out attacks from their territory.

6 Apr 2026 - 9:03AM

US, Israel war on Iran

Iran attacks Kuwait, Israel after Trump set deadline for deal

Kuwait and Israel say their air defences are responding to the latest attacks from Iran.

5 Apr 2026 - 3:56PMvideocam

Smoke rises at Kuwait’s international airport after a reported Iranian drone strike on Wednesday. Photo: AFP

China-EU relations

China, Europe and why Beijing took a swing at Iran over the Strait of Hormuz

Beijing takes a stand at the United Nations at the closure of shipping lanes.

3 Apr 2026 - 8:00PMvideocam

About a fifth of the world’s oil and gas supplies usually pass through the Strait of Hormuz. Photo: Getty Images/TNS

US, Israel war on Iran

Trump’s ex-China mineral-alliance plan faces cost surge amid Iran war oil shock

Analysts say Middle East turmoil is elevating commodity input costs, affecting processing efforts and prompting push for ‘friendshoring’ to secure resources.

2 Apr 2026 - 8:00PM

US, Israel war on Iran

After early anger, Gulf allies press Trump for final blow to Iran

The UAE, Kuwait and Bahrain are pushing hard for Trump to order a ground invasion of Tehran, according to a diplomat.

31 Mar 2026 - 2:16PMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

Iran’s Islamic republic will ‘collapse internally’, says Netanyahu

Gulf allies of the US, led by Saudi Arabia and the UAE, are meanwhile urging Trump to continue prosecuting the war against Iran.

31 Mar 2026 - 6:36AMvideocam

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Photo: EPA

China trade

Will Iran’s strikes on Gulf smelters strengthen China’s aluminium dominance?

Analysts say disruption at plants could shift more output to China, which already produces more than half of global supply.

31 Mar 2026 - 12:08AMvideocam

A drone view shows an employee working on the production line of aluminium products at a factory in Huaibei, Anhui province, China, in February 2025. Photo: Reuters

Japan

Japan’s PM will mull top-level talks with Iran at ‘appropriate’ time

Stability in the Middle East is vital for Japan, which relies on the region for over 90 per cent of its crude oil imports.

30 Mar 2026 - 9:54PMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

Iran targets Bahrain aluminium, 2 injured amid Hormuz closure

Most Gulf aluminium producers, which account for about 9 per cent of global supply, have been unable to ship due to Tehran’s effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

29 Mar 2026 - 8:22PM

US, Israel war on Iran

Spy, steal and frighten: Iran-linked hackers open digital front in war

Spyware-laden shelter alerts, hacked hospitals and supply chain breaches highlight modern warfare’s digital shift.

29 Mar 2026 - 2:49PMvideocam

A plume of smoke rises from the site of a strike in Tehran, Iran, on Saturday. Photo: Xinhua

US, Israel war on Iran

Iran targets Israel and Gulf states after denying Trump claim of talks

There’s no sign of reduced fighting after the US president claimed there was dialogue in the Iran war.

24 Mar 2026 - 9:41PMvideocam

China-Middle East relations

Opinion | When it comes to the Persian Gulf, China’s top priority is economics

Beijing’s refusal to pick sides between Iran and other Gulf states affirms its strategic positioning rather than a desire to shift paradigms.

24 Mar 2026 - 9:30AMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

UK rushes air defence systems to Gulf to help counter Iran attacks

The UK is sending air defence missiles and an anti-drone system, as HMS Dragon takes up position to defend Cyprus.

24 Mar 2026 - 8:59AMvideocam

Crew members board the HMS Dragon in Portsmouth Harbour on March 4. The British warship has arrived in the eastern Mediterranean to defend Cyprus. Photo: Reuters

Hong Kong society

Hong Kong raises Iran, Israel travel alerts to black, expands amber warning

Amber travel alert expanded to include Bahrain, Jordan, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

23 Mar 2026 - 10:49PM

Emergency response personnel work at the site of damage after Iranian missile barrages struck Dimona in southern Israel on March 21, 2026. Photo: Reuters

US, Israel war on Iran

Satellite images reveal damage of the widening Middle East war

Here’s a look at what’s visible in a selection of pictures throughout the region.

18 Mar 2026 - 3:55PM

China-Middle East relations

Can China stay friendly with Gulf states and Iran as fighting escalates?

Iranian strikes on neighbouring states in response to US and Israeli attacks highlight how difficult Beijing’s balancing act has become.

18 Mar 2026 - 12:00PMvideocam

China trade

Strait of Hormuz marks first full day’s pause as no ships cross amid Iran war

Transits fell to zero on Saturday but vessels have clustered outside corridor, signalling expectations of reopening, analytics firm says.

16 Mar 2026 - 7:02PM

A man walks along the shore as oil tankers and cargo ships line up in the Strait of Hormuz, as seen from Khor Fakkan, the United Arab Emirates, on March 11, 2026. Photo: AP

Middle East

Opinion | How US-Israel war on Iran rocks foundations of the Abraham Accords

For Arab states, the conflict has revealed a paradox: the alliances meant to enhance their security may also have increased their vulnerability.

16 Mar 2026 - 5:30AMvideocam

Smoke rises from a warehouse in the industrial area of Sharjah city in the United Arab Emirates on March 1 following reports of Iranian strikes. Photo: AP

US, Israel war on Iran

No longer safe: Iran war puts 9 million Indian workers in the line of fire

As missiles fly, drone strikes from Dubai to Doha are shattering the illusion of safety for millions of Indian expats living in the Gulf.

14 Mar 2026 - 4:00PMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

US claims Strait of Hormuz will not close, Iran’s new supreme leader ‘wounded’

Few details revealed about measures to restore oil flow as reports indicate the US is now sending amphibious assault ship, Marines to region.

14 Mar 2026 - 2:44PMvideocam

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Bahrain

Aluminium supply crunch threatens Asia’s clean energy push amid Iran war

Key Gulf plants have been hit by Iranian missiles, causing a drop in output of the metal used in making solar panels and wind turbines.

‘Structural shift’: new routes for Middle East freight to bypass Hormuz

Pakistan seeks to shield Gulf states as US-Iran talks set to resume

US-Iran talks leave Gulf states on edge about the price of peace

The six GCC nations worry that the US will prioritise Tehran’s needs and leave the Gulf monarchies vulnerable to Iranian retaliation.

Strait of Hormuz: is a Trump‑Iran joint venture really possible?

With regime change increasingly out of reach, the US president may pivot towards a business deal with Tehran’s fractured leadership.

Russia and China veto UN resolution aimed at reopening Strait of Hormuz

Beijing and Moscow blocked Gulf-backed resolution hours before the US and Iran agreed to a two-week ceasefire.

Trump says China helped get Iran to the negotiating table for ceasefire deal

Washington receives ‘10-point proposal from Iran’ with US president claiming it could serve as ‘a workable basis on which to negotiate’.

AirAsia X hikes fares by 40%, cuts capacity by 10% as Iran war impacts fuel

Founder Tony Fernandes said the higher prices were ‘unavoidable’ after the average cost of jet fuel more than doubled to US$200 per barrel.

UAE, Bahrain and Kuwait lose water, energy infrastructure to Iran strikes

Gulf countries have faced repeated drone and missile salvoes over Iran’s accusation that its neighbours allow US forces to carry out attacks from their territory.

Iran attacks Kuwait, Israel after Trump set deadline for deal

Kuwait and Israel say their air defences are responding to the latest attacks from Iran.

China, Europe and why Beijing took a swing at Iran over the Strait of Hormuz

Beijing takes a stand at the United Nations at the closure of shipping lanes.

Trump’s ex-China mineral-alliance plan faces cost surge amid Iran war oil shock

Analysts say Middle East turmoil is elevating commodity input costs, affecting processing efforts and prompting push for ‘friendshoring’ to secure resources.

After early anger, Gulf allies press Trump for final blow to Iran

The UAE, Kuwait and Bahrain are pushing hard for Trump to order a ground invasion of Tehran, according to a diplomat.

Iran’s Islamic republic will ‘collapse internally’, says Netanyahu

Gulf allies of the US, led by Saudi Arabia and the UAE, are meanwhile urging Trump to continue prosecuting the war against Iran.

Will Iran’s strikes on Gulf smelters strengthen China’s aluminium dominance?

Analysts say disruption at plants could shift more output to China, which already produces more than half of global supply.

Japan’s PM will mull top-level talks with Iran at ‘appropriate’ time

Stability in the Middle East is vital for Japan, which relies on the region for over 90 per cent of its crude oil imports.

Iran targets Bahrain aluminium, 2 injured amid Hormuz closure

Most Gulf aluminium producers, which account for about 9 per cent of global supply, have been unable to ship due to Tehran’s effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

Spy, steal and frighten: Iran-linked hackers open digital front in war

Spyware-laden shelter alerts, hacked hospitals and supply chain breaches highlight modern warfare’s digital shift.

Iran targets Israel and Gulf states after denying Trump claim of talks

There’s no sign of reduced fighting after the US president claimed there was dialogue in the Iran war.

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}Opinion | When it comes to the Persian Gulf, China’s top priority is economics

Beijing’s refusal to pick sides between Iran and other Gulf states affirms its strategic positioning rather than a desire to shift paradigms.

UK rushes air defence systems to Gulf to help counter Iran attacks

The UK is sending air defence missiles and an anti-drone system, as HMS Dragon takes up position to defend Cyprus.

Hong Kong raises Iran, Israel travel alerts to black, expands amber warning

Amber travel alert expanded to include Bahrain, Jordan, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

Satellite images reveal damage of the widening Middle East war

Here’s a look at what’s visible in a selection of pictures throughout the region.

Can China stay friendly with Gulf states and Iran as fighting escalates?

Iranian strikes on neighbouring states in response to US and Israeli attacks highlight how difficult Beijing’s balancing act has become.

Strait of Hormuz marks first full day’s pause as no ships cross amid Iran war

Transits fell to zero on Saturday but vessels have clustered outside corridor, signalling expectations of reopening, analytics firm says.

Opinion | How US-Israel war on Iran rocks foundations of the Abraham Accords

For Arab states, the conflict has revealed a paradox: the alliances meant to enhance their security may also have increased their vulnerability.

No longer safe: Iran war puts 9 million Indian workers in the line of fire

As missiles fly, drone strikes from Dubai to Doha are shattering the illusion of safety for millions of Indian expats living in the Gulf.

US claims Strait of Hormuz will not close, Iran’s new supreme leader ‘wounded’

Few details revealed about measures to restore oil flow as reports indicate the US is now sending amphibious assault ship, Marines to region.

Opinion | When it comes to the Persian Gulf, China’s top priority is economics