Al Jazeera

The Strait of Hormuz has effectively closed to most shipping since the US and Israel attacked Iran - sending energy prices soaring worldwide. The marine channel in the Gulf had been the gateway for 20% of global energy supplies. What difficulties does this pose for Donald Trump?

The war in Iran rages on. And China argues it should never have happened. Beijing is a major importer of Iranian oil, making it vulnerable to any disruption of the flow through the Strait of Hormuz. Given its huge oil reserves and its growing dependence on Electric Vehicles, China may not be affected in the short term. But what if war drags on? And what's exactly keeping Beijing away from direct involvement in the conflict?

Yet again, US President Donald Trump has suggested the war in Iran could be over soon, but didn't say when or how. Advisers are reportedly urging him to find an exit strategy. But Israel has indicated it won't stop until what it calls the existential threat posed by Iran is eliminated. For its part, Tehran has set its own conditions for ending the attacks across the region. These include international guarantees there will be no future hostilities. As the war is increasingly taking a toll on the global economy, how could it end?

As the US-Israeli war against Iran drags on, Yemen's Ansarullah, or the Houthis, have stayed out of the conflict. But that could change. They have said they consider themselves directly concerned and could take a position alongside Iran. The armed group has attacked Israel and shipping in the Red Sea in recent years. If a new front opens up, global trade could be further disrupted in another maritime gateway. Shipping is already largely halted in the Strait of Hormuz, causing significant losses worldwide. So, will the Houthis join the war? And what difference could that make for this volatile region?

Relentless US and Israeli attacks on Iran - top figures killed with thousands of air-strikes across the country. Iran has retaliated, hitting Israel and Gulf neighbours, targeting energy facilities and supply routes. So what are Iran's options now?