Given concerns about Hezbollah backlash, Beirut will likely want to proceed incrementally toward its stated goal of establishing a state monopoly on weapons

With maritime traffic in the critical waterway severely disrupted, interest in alternative routes grows. But the same constraints persist.

Disruption in the Hormuz can have major implications for global trade, but it also creates opportunities for smaller nations like Iran to become global political players

Pipelines have a chequered history in the Middle East, but the closure of the Strait of Hormuz has led US Tom Barrack to conclude that a new route through Syria could solve some problems.

How Saudi networks are redrawing oil, gas, and trade routes

With Iran's effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, alternatives for Gulf energy transit are being sought. Could the Saudi landmass straddling two seas be bridged for the benefit of all?

As a route for Gulf energy exports, nothing can fully replace the Strait of Hormuz, which remains closed by Iran, but a Saudi port city on the Red Sea could hold some of the answers.

The UK and France said on Monday they would stay out of Trump's plan to blockade Iranian ports, in a move likely to anger Trump and increase strains in the alliance.

Both Beijing and Moscow have pragmatic reasons to help Tehran raise the cost of US action. Each sees value in offering limited but meaningful support.

Washington weighs the desire to avoid a protracted war with offsetting the appearance of defeat, as Tehran debates whether to consolidate gains before conditions shift or press perceived advantages