Al Jazeera

China tells its ally Iran the Strait of Hormuz must be reopened. International leaders have been visiting Beijing almost daily - underlining its importance in the crisis. So what's the impact of the Iran war on China - and what role is it playing?

As the United States-Israel war on Iran deepens, conflict scholar David Keen examines why some wars persist without a clear victory. He argues that war can serve political control, economic interests and systems of power that outlive the battlefield. From sanctions and smuggling to military spending and useful enemies, Keen explains how conflict can become functional and why making peace more attractive than war is often the real challenge.

Iran has been cultivating what it calls the Axis of Resistance for decades. It's a coalition of armed groups, backed by Tehran's money and often its weapons, that try to tip the scales of regional power in Iran's favour. Now the axis looks to be on shaky ground. Israel has marched into southern Lebanon, is pounding Beirut with bombs in an attempt to eliminate Hezbollah and says it doesn't plan to stop. So is Hezbollah the sticking point of ceasefire negotiations? And how far is Iran willing to go to back its friends and allies?

After apocalyptic threats, Washington and Tehran have agreed to a two week ceasefire. It's still unclear whether that will mean a lasting peace. What's more certain is that the US and the world stage have been changed by Trump's war. So how has America been shaped by Trump's war on Iran? How has the world order? And can any of it be walked back?

The US and Israel's war with Iran has put pressure on Tehran's relations with Moscow. They've been allies but the Kremlin is seeking to maintain ties with Washington to reach a deal on the Ukraine conflict. So how is the Iran war affecting Russia-Iran relations?

Millions of Israelis forced to take shelter day and night - from repeated Iranian missile attacks. The economic shockwaves of the war Israel and the US have launched against Iran are being felt across the world. How is it affecting Israel - and its future?

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?