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The US has asked tankers traveling through the \u200bStrait of Hormuz to sail only at specific times to guarantee military protection after Iran stepped \u200cup attacks on \u200cships \u200btraveling \u200cat \u2060night, \u200bthe Financial \u2060Times reported on Saturday.<\/p>\n
Washington has been offering air-based defense since May to ships wanting \u2060to sail via \u200ca \u200croute hugging \u200bthe \u200cOmani coast on \u200cthe strait’s southern side.<\/p>\n
That period during which ships would be \u200cprotected was cut down to two specific time \u2060slots \u2060daily around the start of September, the FT reported, citing emails sent by the US naval co-ordination center to maritime advisers.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, the US military has forced 99 commercial vessels to change course in the Gulf region as it enforces its blockade of Iranian ports, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) said Friday in a social media post.<\/p>\n
Earlier the day, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said that foreign ministers from Gulf littoral states are scheduled to meet in Oman on Monday to exchange views on regional issues, including talks between Iran and Oman on designating safe routes in the Strait of Hormuz.<\/p>\n
He said the meeting will be attended by Iran, Iraq and other Gulf littoral states, adding that he hoped it would prepare the ground for improving understanding among regional countries and contributing to joint regional security.<\/p>\n
A day earlier, the US-led Joint Maritime Information Center (JMIC) said in a notice that maritime security conditions in the Middle East remained tense, with the maritime security threat level in the Strait of Hormuz still rated as \u201csevere.\u201d<\/p>\n
The notice also warned of a high likelihood of attacks on vessels amid the current security situation.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n