US and Iranian Strikes Disrupt Hormuz Traffic to Lowest Level Since May

On September 7, 2026, the Hormuz Strait experienced its lowest traffic volume since May of the same year, according to reports from the Saudi Gazette. The decline is directly attributed to a series of strikes by both the United States and Iran on commercial ships passing through the strait. The attacks targeted multiple vessels, disrupting the critical flow of oil and cargo that passes through the waterway each day. The Saudi Gazette reported that the strikes were part of an ongoing escalation in hostilities between the US and Iran, with both sides accusing each other of targeting civilian infrastructure. The US has claimed that its strikes were in response to Iranian aggression, while Iran has denied any involvement in the attacks, asserting that its actions are solely defensive. The situation has raised alarms among global energy markets, with fears of prolonged disruptions to oil exports from the Middle East. The incident has further strained diplomatic relations between the US and Iran, with both nations increasing military presence in the region. The international community is closely monitoring the situation, as any prolonged disruption of Hormuz traffic could have significant economic and geopolitical consequences.