A conflict that began in the eastern Mediterranean and Gulf region in late February has continued through the summer and into the fall, and this week it drew fresh diplomatic attention alongside the Trump-Xi summit in Washington.
The current phase of fighting began on February 28, when Israeli and American forces launched military operations they said were intended to change the course of Iran's government and program. In the months since, the conflict has widened at times to touch neighboring countries: in early September, an air base in Jordan was struck, damaging several aircraft, and this week Yemen's Houthi movement said it had targeted a site in Saudi Arabia with missiles and drones. Regional reporting has also described missile and drone strikes elsewhere in the region during the conflict, aimed, according to Iranian officials, at American interests and military installations in response to the strikes against Iran.
This week brought signs that the diplomatic track around the conflict may be shifting. Arab News reported that Iran had signaled possible new flexibility around the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow waterway through which a large share of the world's oil shipments pass, though it was unclear from that reporting whether the move reflected economic pressure on Iran or a tactic to gain time. Separately, Chinese state media reported that President Xi Jinping, during his visit to Washington, urged the United States to work toward a swift end to the conflict, a subject that was reportedly part of his talks with President Trump. China has long maintained ties with Iran, though it remains unclear what practical role, if any, Beijing might play in bringing the conflict to a close.
The war has also been a factor in global energy markets this year, with oil prices running higher than they otherwise might, a dynamic that analysts say has contributed to this week's broader rise in inflation expectations and Treasury yields.
Analysts will be watching whether Iran's reported openness on Hormuz translates into any concrete steps, and whether this week's diplomatic conversations in Washington produce any movement toward ending the conflict.
How long has this conflict been going on?
The current phase began on February 28, 2026, meaning it has continued for roughly seven months as of late September.
What is the Strait of Hormuz and why does it matter?
It is a narrow waterway between Iran and the Arabian Peninsula through which a large share of the world's seaborne oil trade passes, making any disruption or change there significant for global energy markets.