The north African nation wonders if it might step in, as war in the Middle East halts shipments of liquefied natural gas and leaves importing nations looking for alternatives.

Will war redraw America's political map?

There are few examples of successful US regime-change operations in history. And without permanent ground troop presence, these wins can easily be reversed.

When states are attacked, authority gravitates towards institutions capable of mobilising resources, enforcing discipline, and coordinating a military response

The appointment suggests the Revolutionary Guards have the upper hand

Even if it stays on the sidelines of the US-Iran war, the country is fragile. Unlike larger economies that can absorb shocks in global markets, it has little room to cushion the impact.

Cairo and Tehran have been at loggerheads since 1979, but the Iranian threat has always acted as a check on Israeli ambitions. If Iran is completely defeated, Israel will reign supreme.

Israel's Defence Minister Katz says Iran's security chief has been killed. Iran has not commented on the claims yet.