[British Media: U.S. Restricts Tanker Passage Through Hormuz Strait to Specific Air Defense Time Windows] Reported by Golden Finance, on September 12, according to the Financial Times, the United States has requested that oil tankers passing through the Hormuz Strait sail only during specific time windows to ensure military protection. Previously, Iran had intensified attacks on vessels navigating at night. Since May, Washington has been providing air defense to ships opting for routes close to the southern side of the strait near Oman’s coastline to counter Iranian attacks and maintain partial oil flow out of the Gulf. Shipowners must submit applications to the U.S. Navy Coordination and Guidance Center (NCAGS), which then provides coordinates for navigation and allows passage during broader nighttime windows, during which U.S. aircraft offer protection. According to emails sent by NCAGS to maritime advisors, these time windows were reduced to two specific daily slots around early September, requiring ships to begin their journey at designated times. One email stated that NCAGS provides daily recommended transit times, which ships are not obligated to follow but are advised to adhere to. Another email noted that, given the threats faced by merchant vessels, "transiting during dark hours has proven not to be the safest time of day." (Jin10)