While the US and Iran continue to trade strikes after the Memorandum of Understanding, the question of an easy solution comes down to military advantages in the Gulf region.

Iran appears to be testing Gulf states and the US with renewed maritime pressure in the Strait of Hormuz, risking wider regional instability.

Oil prices rose on Wednesday after the U.S. launched fresh strikes on Iran in retaliation for attacks on commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz.