Iran announces formalized, do-or-die rules for vessels wanting to pass through Strait of Hormuz

Iran has a new set of protocols it’s demanding commercial vessels follow when they transit the Strait of Hormuz, and any ships not following the rules, the regime says, will be attacked. The “Vessel Information Declaration” issued by Iran’s Persian Gulf Strait Authority (PSGA) signals that Iran plans to make its control of the waterway official, CNN reported. The document contains 40 questions and requires shippers to identify to provide identification data and national origin, as well as any previous designations or flags it’s operated under. 
The document has to be emailed to the PGSA, and it explains that “further instructions will be communicated via email. Any incorrect or incomplete information provided will be the sole responsibility of the applicant, and any resulting consequences will be borne accordingly.”
Complying with the instructions could run afoul of U.S. sanctions, analysts told CNN.  
Prior to the war in Iran, any vessel, regardless of origin, could transit the strait without fear of attack or coercive action against it. Iran has since threatened any ship that hasn’t received permission to sail through the strait without permission from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps navy.
Meanwhile, U.S. Central Command has been maintaining a blockade against any ships transiting the strait to and from Iranian ports. On Wednesday, CENTCOM fired upon a vessel attempting to get through the blockade, disabling its rudder. 

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