Key facts
- The U.S. has limited military protection for tankers crossing the Strait of Hormuz to specific times.
- Iran has increased attacks on ships traveling through the strait, particularly at night.
- The U.S. had been offering air-based defense to ships since May.
- Protection was reduced to two specific time slots daily around the start of September.
The United States has reduced the availability of military protection for oil tankers transiting the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for global oil supply, the Financial Times reported on Saturday. The decision comes amid an increase in attacks by Iran on commercial vessels, particularly those navigating the strait at night.
Washington had been providing air-based defense to ships since May, offering protection along a route that hugs the southern side of the strait along the Omani coast. However, around the beginning of September, this protection was narrowed down to only two specific time slots each day, according to emails sent by the U.S. naval co-ordination center to maritime advisers, as cited by the FT.