The narrowest part of the budget

The news context

On 9 September 2026, Reuters reported that Iran said it had attacked 10 ships near the Strait of Hormuz after the United States said it destroyed five Iranian crude-oil carriers. U.S. Central Command's 8 September release says its forces destroyed five carriers after what it described as attempted Iranian ballistic-missile attacks on a U.S. Navy warship; that is the U.S. military's account. AP separately reported the widening regional attacks and the U.S. and Iranian claims.

Reuters and AP reported that benchmark Brent crude moved back above $100 a barrel as the escalation renewed fears of disruption around the Strait of Hormuz. The cartoon turns the strait's chokepoint role into a literal fuel nozzle. The globe, scene and dialogue are fictional satire; they do not depict the attacks or their victims.

This cartoon is satire. Its visual dialogue is invented; the linked reporting provides the factual background.

1. Reuters: Iran and US hit tankers in biggest wave of attacks on shipping since war began ↗
2. AP: Stocks fall on Wall Street as oil prices jump back above $100 a barrel after Iran war escalates ↗
3. U.S. Central Command: U.S. Destroys 5 IRGC Tankers After Iran Targets Another American Warship ↗

A personified globe stands beside a small car at a petrol pump. The pump hose passes through a narrow funnel labelled STRAIT OF HORMUZ, with small tanker silhouettes queued inside.

The pump display reads: BRENT $100+ / BARREL. The globe says: Does the nozzle have to be this narrow? The footer reads: comicoftheday.com · 9 SEP 2026 · SATIRE.