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China is emerging as a major player in global diplomacy - including in the Middle East. In 2023, it helped re-establish diplomatic ties between Riyadh and Tehran. While it is not officially mediating efforts to end the ongoing war - both the US and Iran are looking to China to help de-escalate. So, can it propel the two sides towards that goal? And if China makes a direct push to stop the fighting - how will its economic clout affect the course of negotiations?

Tension escalates rapidly across the Gulf - despite last month's ceasefire. An oil facility hit in the United Arab Emirates, Iranian boats attacked, while the US tries to force open a shipping route in the Strait of Hormuz. So, what does this mean for hopes of an end to the Iran war?

Pakistan opens land trade routes to Iran, allowing the transit of goods. It's a much-needed reprieve for both economies. But does it undercut Washington's pressure campaign on Tehran? And how will it impact the Islamabad-mediated talks to end the war?

Divisions widen within NATO. US President Donald Trump is furious after a refusal by European member states to join the Iran war. Reports say he's considering measures against the UK and Spain. So, how serious is the rift for the future of the military alliance?

A loan drama tied to geopolitics. Kyiv is getting a much-delayed lifeline from Brussels, as it fights Moscow's invasion with nearly empty coffers. That's after Ukraine repaired a pipeline carrying Russian crude to Hungary, Slovakia. The oil revenues will bolster Moscow's war chest. So, is this complex EU deal going to intensify the conflict? And, considering the mistrust between the parties, will the agreement even last?

More than a million Europeans have signed a petition asking the EU to suspend a trade deal with Israel for its atrocities in Gaza. Three states — Spain, Ireland and Slovenia — tabled a proposal backing the call. But Germany and Italy blocked the move. So, can a divided EU become a strong force opposing Israeli actions in the Middle East?

Israel's alliance with the European Union is under mounting political pressure. Behind the shift are demands to suspend the main agreement underpinning their close relations. But their ties survived Israel's genocide in Gaza - so why the difficulties now?

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?

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?

Tehran has carried out more attacks on Gulf states despite an apology by the president to Iran's neighbours. Civilian targets have been hit, including airports and vital infrastructure. Who's is in control in Iran and how will Gulf states react as the attacks continue?

It's been a week since the war between Israel, the United States and Iran started with strikes on Tehran. The conflict soon spread to neighbouring countries, who've been on the receiving end of hundreds of Iranian missiles and drones. Targets in countries beyond the region have also been hit, with some warning those attacks could open new fronts. Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian has now apologised to Gulf states - saying it will limit its attacks on them in future. But with no sign that Israel and the US will end the war, how likely are its effects to spread?

Yet another day of US and Israeli strikes against Iran, and Washington says there's more to come, warning of a 'dramatic surge'. But with the exception of Israel, the US has NOT secured the active participation of any of its main allies, as was the case in previous conflicts like Iraq and Afghanistan. President Donald Trump hasn't hidden his frustration with European leaders, many of whom say the ongoing war is a breach of international law. That view is shared by other global players like China and Russia. But does it need them to continue to wage this war?

Lebanon is once again drawn into a war many of its leaders say is not their fight. Against the government's warnings, Hezbollah has joined Iran in its conflict with Israel. The armed group says it has a right to respond as part of what it calls a resistance campaign. But this time, the Lebanese government has responded by taking the decision to ban Hezbollah's military activities and demanded it disarm. The group has not heeded that warning. Now, as the war between the U.S., Israel and Iran widens to Lebanon, can Hezbollah's involvement be of any real help to Tehran? And what price will Lebanon pay as a result?

Iran stands at a crossroads. With its top leadership assassinated early in the joint US-Israeli offensive, the remaining layers of power have been trying maintain control. There are concerns that after January's mass anti-government demonstrations, this war would lead to chaos. US President Donald Trump has made clear his desire for regime change in Iran. Many argue that what remains of Iranian leadership is struggling for survival. But Iran's leadership is notably complex. It has parallel armies, multiple intelligence services and several command structures So, will it survive? Or is the situation spiralling out of control?

Iran attacks Gulf Arab states -- hitting civilian buildings and energy infrastructure, as well as US bases. The impact of the American-Israeli strikes on the Islamic Republic is felt across the region. What does this mean for Gulf states' relations with Iran and with the US?

Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei assassinated in attacks by Israel on Saturday- huge crowds of mourners on the streets. The complex process of selecting his successor is already underway. So how does Iran work - and how robust are its state systems, now under attack?

The US and Israel attack Iran - and Tehran retaliates, firing missiles at Israeli targets and US assets in the region. It follows a massive military build-up by Washington - and indirect talks between the US and Iran over its nuclear programme. So how dangerous is the situation?

US President Donald Trump launched the Board of Peace on Thursday, saying it's one of the most consequential bodies ever created in the history of the world. This is all part of the agreement to reach a ceasefire in Gaza - after almost two years of Israel's war on the Strip. Trump said the board will work in partnership with the UN to address crises far beyond Gaza. Now, all eyes will be on what the Board achieves in Gaza before dealing with other conflicts. So, will it deliver?

In the past, apartheid was only associated with South Africa. Now, it’s a label that some attach to Israel’s treatment of Palestinians. So what is apartheid? How did it work in South Africa? And why is it now being used in the context of Israel?

The US has always been Israel’s most important ally. What’s behind the relationship? What keeps it going? And why are some people questioning how it works?

The Israel-Gaza war has got many people talking again about the need for a two-state solution. It’s often presented as the only option to bring lasting peace between Israelis and Palestinians. But what is the two-state solution? Is it actually possible? And why are some people talking about a “one-state solution” instead?

Palestinians in occupied East Jerusalem are losing their homes to Israeli settlers. It’s happening through a process of evictions and demolitions.

The UK, France, Canada and Australia are among a new wave of countries planning to recognise Palestine as a state at this year’s UN General Assembly meeting. What does this actually mean? And what, if anything, does it change?

Hundreds of people in Gaza have been shot dead while going to collect desperately-needed food from US-backed aid hubs in Gaza, according to officials in Gaza.

The Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in occupied East Jerusalem is one of the holiest sites in the world and one of the most contested. Why is it so significant?

It’s been a year since Hamas attacked Israel, and Israel launched its war on Gaza. More than 40,000 Palestinians have been killed, much of Gaza has been decimated and Israel is being accused of carrying out a genocide. Sandra Gathmann explains what you need to know to understand where things stand now and why some people are calling it the worst war in modern history.

Israel's war on Gaza Humanitarian crisis The Gaza Strip is experiencing a humanitarian crisis as a result of the Israel Gaza war. The crisis includes both an impending famine and a healthcare collapse.