Tuesday 1 September 2026 07:30 UTC
Tanker Hit as Strait of Hormuz Traffic Falls 80%
In the 24 hours ending 1 September at 07:30 UTC, another tanker was hit near Oman. Three projectiles struck the vessel as it left the Strait of Hormuz. No deaths or environmental damage were recorded.
Crossings through the Strait of Hormuz have fallen more than 80% since the war began. Tanker transport costs have reached record levels. Donald Trump, the US president, said about 30 ships now cross each night.
Trump is considering further limited strikes near the strait. The proposed attacks would target Iranian radar, air defences and anti-ship missiles. He promised a strong response to Iran’s recent missile attack on US forces in Jordan.
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Trump ruled out using a nuclear weapon against Iran. He said Iran would never obtain such a weapon. Masoud Pezeshkian, Iran’s president, said Tehran still wanted a negotiated solution.
The United Arab Emirates said it intercepted an Iranian drone over its waters. The government condemned the attack and reserved the right to respond.
Saudi Arabia entered early talks to borrow at least $8 billion. The Iran war has placed growing pressure on the country’s economy and public finances.
Ukrainian drones struck the Russian Baltic port of Ust-Luga. The attack damaged the port area and started a fire. Russian ballistic missiles carrying cluster warheads also struck Kyiv.
European Union forces boarded the tanker MV SUN in the Mediterranean. Officials suspect the vessel served Russia’s sanctions-avoiding oil fleet and used a false flag.
Vladimir Putin, Russia’s president, met Xi Jinping, China’s president, in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. Their governments used the regional summit to promote an alternative system of global leadership.
Daniel Driscoll, the US Army secretary, submitted his resignation after months of internal tension. The White House had not accepted it by the report deadline. Driscoll had warned that leadership removals were hurting the Army’s ability to modernise.
Trump’s approval rating remained at a career low of 33%. Only 36% approved of his handling of the Iran war. Democrats also held a clear advantage in enthusiasm before the midterm elections.
Markets placed a 54% chance on a US interest rate increase in September. Kevin Warsh, the Federal Reserve chair, has kept a firm position against inflation. The US five-year government bond yield reached its highest level since January 2025.
John Ternus became Apple’s chief executive after Tim Cook ended his 15-year term. Cook became executive chairman. Ternus now faces major problems involving artificial intelligence and Siri.
Nvidia agreed to invest $3.5 billion in MediaTek through convertible bonds. The companies will expand their partnership on chips for artificial intelligence data centres. China’s CXMT also began limited production of advanced memory used in leading AI processors.
European regulators placed ChatGPT, Reddit and Roblox under stricter online safety rules. The three services have four months to meet the added legal duties.
A jury found Duane Davis guilty of murdering Tupac Shakur. Lionel Messi, the Argentine football star, retired from international football.