DUBAI — The United States carried out defensive strikes in the Strait of Hormuz against Iranian targets, officials said, in the latest escalation of military activity in the strategic waterway ahead of an Iranian election. The strikes, described as defensive by the United States, occurred as the region maintained heightened alertness ahead of the vote. A separate report from a US official quoted by Axios indicated that the maximum pressure campaign would persist regardless of timing, stating: "One way or the other, we will do something, but there is no rush." The official added that Iran has been financially crippled, noting the country has no gasoline and its people are getting very tired of the situation. The Strait of Hormuz, a vital chokepoint for global energy supplies, has been a recurring flashpoint in US-Iran relations. The developments mark a significant moment in a region already on edge as Tehran prepares for its electoral process.