Army Chief Major-General Amir Hatami recently described the war with the US as having entered a "critical and decisive" stage, asserting that if Iran's own commerce is blocked, no other nation will be able to trade. In tandem, the Persian Gulf Waterways Management Authority has begun listing non-compliant charterers on a restricted list for forcing ships through unauthorized routes. This measure has prompted some shipowners to send formal letters of apology to Tehran to ensure their vessels can continue to transit the waterway.
