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Iran starts to formalize its chokehold on the Strait of Hormuz with a ‘toll booth’ regime

FRANKFURT, Germany, March 27, 2026 (AP) — Iran appears to be setting itself up as the gatekeeper for the Strait of Hormuz, the world’s most important artery for oil shipments. The move could cement Tehran’s de facto chokehold over the crucial waterway and formalize its ability to keep its own oil flowing to China. Iranian communications to the United Nations maritime authority and the experience of ships transiting the strait suggest the creation of something akin to a “toll booth.” Ships must enter Iranian waters and be vetted by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps. At least two vessels have paid

U.S. can only confirm about a third of Iran’s missile arsenal destroyed, sources say

WASHINGTON, March 27 (Reuters) – The United States can only determine with certainty that it has destroyed about a third ​of Iran’s vast missile arsenal as the U.S. and Israeli war on the country nears its one-month mark, according to five people familiar with the U.S. intelligence. The status of around another third ‌is less clear but bombings likely damaged, destroyed or buried those missiles in underground tunnels and bunkers, four of the sources said. The sources spoke on condition of anonymity given the sensitive nature of the information. One of the sources said the intelligence was similar for Iran’s

Why Pakistan has emerged as a mediator between US and Iran

ISLAMABAD, March 27, 2026 (AP) — As fears of a wider regional conflict escalate following U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran that began in late February, Pakistan has emerged as an unexpected mediator, offering to help bring Washington and Tehran to the negotiating table. Islamabad isn’t often called on to act as an intermediary in high-stakes diplomacy, but it’s stepped into the role this time for a number of reasons, both because it has relatively good ties with both Washington and Tehran and because it has a lot at stake in seeing the war resolved. Pakistani government officials have said

No proposal of imposing lockdown: FM Sitharaman

New Delhi, Mar 27 (PTI) Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Friday said there is no proposal to impose a lockdown in the country in the wake of the West Asia war, and asked politicians to refrain from rumour mongering and creating fear psychosis among the people. The minister also said the government will remain on its “toes” to keep fiscal deficit under check while ensuring the burden of rising global crude oil prices does not fall on the common man. Replying to a discussion on the Finance Bill, 2026, in the Rajya Sabha, the minister said that while several countries

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