The United States has asked oil tankers transiting the Strait of Hormuz to sail only at designated times to ensure they receive military protection, the Financial Times reported Saturday, after Iran stepped up attacks on vessels traveling at night.
Since May, Washington has provided air protection for ships seeking to transit a route along the coast of Oman on the southern side of the strait.
The Financial Times, citing emails sent by the US Maritime Coordination Center to maritime advisers, reported that the period during which vessels receive protection has been reduced to two specific time windows each day since the beginning of September.
The Financial Times reported Friday that Gulf foreign ministers planned to meet with their Iranian counterpart as part of an effort led by Oman and Iran to secure approval for an interim agreement governing maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.
The newspaper, citing two sources familiar with the matter, said the meeting is scheduled to take place Monday in the Omani coastal city of Salalah.
Source: Reuters
