Iran has announced a new set of regulations for vessels seeking to navigate the Strait of Hormuz, including a form with over 40 questions that each ship must complete.
According to documents obtained by CNN, the form—called the “Vessel Information Declaration”—is issued by Iran's Persian Gulf Strait Authority (PGSA). It states that every vessel passing through the area must fully complete the form to ensure “safe passage.”
Richard Meade, editor-in-chief of Lloyd’s List Intelligence, a maritime data and analysis provider, along with an anonymous source, shared this document with CNN.
The form contains more than 40 questions requiring each vessel to provide its name, identification number, former names, origin and destination countries, and other details. It also asks about the nationality of the registered owner, manager, and crew.
Iran has indicated it is limiting passage through this waterway to vessels connected to the US or Israel. Meade noted that before 28 February—when the US and Israel began hostilities with Iran—vessels were not required to disclose any information to transit the strait.
Meade told CNN that these requirements “appear similar to questions vessel owners are commonly asked.” However, he added this formalization seems to be “Iran’s strategy to legitimize its authority over passage through this area.”
Last Tuesday, Iran established the Persian Gulf Strait Authority (PGSA) to manage transit through the strait. Iran’s government news agency Press TV reported that under the new system, all vessels wishing to pass through will receive an email from the PGSA contact address outlining the regulations for transit.
An email from PGSA shared with CNN by Meade and the second source emphasized that “complete and accurate information is essential” for processing vessel transit requests and that “further instructions will be communicated via email.”
This development marks the latest step in Tehran’s efforts to formally assert control over this international strait, which had previously been freely navigable before the outbreak of conflict.
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Source:cnn