WASHINGTON D.C. — U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed on Thursday, May 7, 2026, that “Operation Epic Fury” has officially concluded, marking the end of the major combat phase launched in February against Iranian military and nuclear infrastructure.
While the cessation of active hostilities brings a halt to direct strikes, the geopolitical landscape remains in a state of high tension. The focus of the U.S. military has now shifted from offensive combat to “Project Freedom,” a defensive naval operation intended to escort commercial vessels through the still-blocked Strait of Hormuz.
The Economic Aftermath
Despite the end of the war, the global energy corridor remains choked. Daily transit through the Strait has dropped from 130 ships to nearly zero, leaving only two successful transits under U.S. protection this week. The impact has been felt globally, with U.S. gas prices surging by 50% since the conflict began—a spike that has translated into even more severe costs for African nations grappling with devalued currencies and a lack of domestic refining capacity.
Diplomatic Shift
With the guns silenced, the battle has moved to the United Nations. Washington is currently pushing a Security Council resolution demanding that Iran disclose the locations of sea mines laid during the conflict to ensure the safe passage of commercial shipping. While the major combat is over, the road to economic and maritime recovery remains uncertain as the world watches to see if diplomacy can reopen the world’s most critical energy artery.
