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The Financial Times reported on Saturday that the United States has asked oil tankers passing through the Strait of Hormuz to sail only at specific times to ensure military protection for them, after Iran stepped up its attacks on vessels sailing at night.
Since May, Washington has been providing air protection for ships wishing to sail via a route running along the coast of the Sultanate of Oman on the southern side of the strait.
Citing emails sent by the US Maritime Coordination Center to maritime consultants, the newspaper said that the period during which ships are protected has been reduced to two specific time windows daily since the beginning of September.
The Financial Times reported on Friday that Gulf foreign ministers intend to meet with their Iranian counterpart, as part of an effort led by Oman and Iran to secure approval for an interim agreement to manage navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.
The newspaper quoted two informed sources as saying that the meeting is scheduled to be held on Monday in the Omani coastal city of Salalah.
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