Six months after launching a major offensive, the United States and Israel have killed at least 7,900 people in a war against Iran and its allies, while global trade through the vital Strait of Hormuz has plummeted by 93%. The conflict, which began on February 28 with the assassination of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and strikes on Iranian nuclear and military sites, has devolved into a costly stalemate.

These strikes prompted Iran to retaliate with attacks on U.S. military assets in the Gulf and instigated rocket fire from Hezbollah into northern Israel. This has led to near-daily Israeli responses and, at its peak, Israeli forces controlled one-fifth of Lebanon. Despite months of negotiations, neither side has achieved a decisive advantage, and the conflict has become entrenched.

Al Jazeera's tracking reveals significant human and economic costs. At least 4,350 people have been confirmed killed in Lebanon, 3,527 in Iran, and 28 in Gulf states. Additionally, 60 Israelis and 18 U.S. service members have died in Iranian attacks, with the Pentagon reporting 757 U.S. personnel wounded. These figures, compiled from national health ministries and official bodies, are expected to evolve as more information becomes available.

The war's impact on global energy markets has been severe. Iran, using its control of the Strait of Hormuz, has significantly disrupted shipping. Before the conflict, over 100 ships, mostly oil tankers, passed through the strait daily, carrying tens of millions of barrels of oil and other petrochemicals. Within days of the war's commencement, this traffic collapsed.

Following Iran's announcement of the strait's closure on March 2, daily vessel traffic fell to an average of five ships. While an interim agreement in June temporarily increased this to 20 ships a day, the U.S. blockade of Iranian ports and subsequent resumption of its blockade in July sent traffic back to five vessels daily. For the past six months, an average of only seven ships per day have navigated the Strait of Hormuz.

Beyond the strait's blockade, direct attacks on shipping have further exacerbated the crisis. The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has confirmed 70 incidents involving vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, contributing to the drastic reduction in maritime traffic and raising global shipping insurance costs.

According to the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data project (ACLED), the U.S. and Israel have conducted at least 3,580 attacks on Iran since the war began. Iran, in turn, has launched at least 2,053 attacks across the Gulf and the wider Middle East during the same period. This sustained level of conflict highlights the deeply entrenched nature of the war.

The ongoing stalemate and the severe disruption to global trade routes, particularly through the Strait of Hormuz, continue to pose significant challenges. Unresolved questions remain regarding the potential for de-escalation, the long-term economic consequences, and the future stability of the region amidst this protracted conflict.