Washington: Six months after the United States and Israel launched strikes on Iran, the conflict has entered a difficult and uncertain phase, with neither side securing a clear settlement and diplomatic efforts now focusing on wider negotiations, including the future of the Strait of Hormuz.
The war began on February 28 after the United States and Israel launched military strikes against Iran. US President Donald Trump had earlier predicted that the conflict would be over in about four weeks. Six months later, Iran has not surrendered and there is still no clear agreement to end the conflict.
Fighting is now largely paused, but the wider dispute remains unresolved. Attention has increasingly shifted towards economic pressure, diplomacy and the future of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
Washington is now placing greater emphasis on economic pressure, including sanctions targeting Iran and some of its trading partners. The United States is also continuing to push for conditions that could allow wider negotiations with Tehran.
One of the biggest consequences of the war has been the disruption of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. The narrow waterway between Iran and Oman is one of the world's most important routes for energy supplies. Before the war, the waterway carried roughly one fifth of the world's energy supplies.
Traffic through the waterway has fallen sharply since the beginning of the conflict. The disruption has affected energy markets and increased concerns about fuel costs, inflation and economic growth in several countries.
The United States now sees reopening the Strait of Hormuz as one of its most important objectives. This was not among the main goals announced at the beginning of the war, but the importance of the waterway has grown as the conflict has continued.
Iran and Oman have discussed a proposed temporary joint navigation corridor and a project to clear mines from the waterway. However, important details remain unresolved, and there is no final agreement on how the arrangement would operate.
Qatar is also trying to help restart diplomacy. Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani is visiting Tehran on August 27 as part of efforts to reduce tensions and relaunch discussions between Iran and the United States.
Qatar has previously played a role as a channel between Washington and Tehran. Its diplomatic efforts have become more important as the two countries remain divided over the future of the Strait of Hormuz and the conditions for wider talks.
The conflict has also caused serious damage inside Iran. US and Israeli strikes have weakened parts of Iran's conventional military capabilities, including elements of its air defence and missile systems. However, Iran still has missile and drone capabilities and has continued to pose security risks to shipping and US forces in the region.
The war has also created uncertainty around Iran's nuclear programme. Several Iranian nuclear facilities were damaged by the strikes, but the full condition of the programme remains unclear.
The International Atomic Energy Agency has been unable to fully verify the location and condition of some of Iran's nuclear material. The uncertainty has added to concerns about what remains of Iran's nuclear capabilities and what could happen if international inspections cannot resume fully.
Iran has denied seeking nuclear weapons. The United States and Israel have presented Iran's nuclear programme as a major security concern and a key justification for military action.
The conflict is also creating political pressure inside the United States. A recent Reuters and Ipsos poll found that only 31 percent of Americans approved of the conflict. Trump's approval rating had fallen to 33 percent, according to the same polling.
The economic effects are being felt across international markets. The disruption has affected energy supplies and raised concerns about inflation and economic growth, although the global economy has proved more resilient than initially feared.
For Iran, the economic pressure has been particularly severe. Food inflation reached 128 percent year on year in July, according to Iran's Statistical Center. The figure reflects the pressure facing Iranian households as the conflict and wider economic problems continue.
Despite the military damage suffered by Iran, the conflict has not produced a clear settlement on the issues at the centre of the war. Iran remains capable of resisting pressure, while the United States is relying increasingly on economic measures and diplomacy.
Attention is now increasingly turning to whether diplomacy can produce an agreement on shipping, Iran's nuclear programme and the wider security issues that have prolonged the conflict.
For countries that depend on energy moving through the Strait of Hormuz, the outcome of those discussions will have consequences well beyond the Middle East. A reopening of the waterway could ease pressure on energy markets and create space for wider negotiations.
Six months after the conflict began, the military damage is extensive, but the main political and security questions remain unresolved. The next phase of the crisis is likely to depend not only on military strength, but also on whether Washington and Tehran can find a way back to meaningful negotiations.