US narrows air protection windows for tankers in Hormuz after surge in attacks

The United States has restricted the hours during which it provides military protection specifically air protection to commercial tankers sailing through the Strait of Hormuz, after a surge in Iranian attacks on ships using the strategic waterway, according to a Financial Times report.The US has provided air-based protection since May to vessels using a route along the Omani coast on the southern side of the strait, allowing some oil shipments to continue despite Iranian attacks.Under the arrangement, shipowners first sought clearance from the US naval coordination centre, known as Naval Cooperation and Guidance for Shipping (NCAGS), which provided vessels with coordinates and transit windows during which US aircraft would offer protection.But the FT, citing emails sent by NCAGS to maritime advisers, reported that the broad overnight windows were reduced around the start of September to two specified transit slots each day.