Pakistan, April 25 -- The White House has asserted sweeping control over maritime traffic in the Gulf region, declaring that a US-led naval blockade around Iran is tightening and effectively restricting all movement of ships.

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In a strongly worded statement, the administration of Donald Trump said the United States now controls the flow of global shipping in and out of Iranian waters, particularly around the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz. "Nothing in, nothing out," the statement said, underscoring Washington's hardline stance during the ongoing standoff with Tehran.

The remarks, attributed to the defence team and echoed by Pete Hegseth, suggest the blockade is a cen...