Oil prices surge, shipping stalls as blockade tests war strategy Last updated: May 01, 2026 | 05:00 This US Navy handout photograph released on April 21, 2026, by US Central Command Public Affairs shows Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Michael Murphy patrolling the Arabian Sea during a maritime blockade on April 15, 2026. AFP Dubai: Nearly nine weeks into the Iran conflict, Washington’s strategy has shifted from rapid escalation to a prolonged economic squeeze — raising a critical question: How long can the US naval blockade of Iranian ports and the Strait of Hormuz last, and is the war sliding into a “frozen conflict”? In effect, the Strait of Hormuz is no longer just a shipping lane — it is becoming a pressure point in a prolonged economic war. The strategy is clear: Inflict maximum economic pain to force Tehran back to the negotiating table without resuming strikes.…