Seven months after war erupted in the Strait of Hormuz, the conflict has grown rather than contracted, spreading into the Red Sea and drawing in Houthi forces, Gulf monarchies, and the quiet weight of Chinese influence. President Trump, caught between the demands of allies and the arithmetic of midterm elections, is reaching for diplomacy where military options have stalled. The gathering of world leaders at the United Nations offers a rare moment of proximity — but proximity alone has never resolved the deeper question of what each party is truly willing to surrender.
Iran conflict spreads across Gulf as Trump seeks diplomatic exit
Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia and shipping disruptions affecting regional populations and global energy security.