KUWAIT: Kuwait Ports Authority (KPA) signed Saturday a cooperation protocol with the ministry of defense, enabling the navy to prepare security plans for the protection of ports nationwide. "The protocol was signed at a time the region is experiencing a critical security situation," KPA Director General Sheikh Yusuf Abdullah Al-Sabah said in a statement. "Therefore, we need collaboration of efforts between the two sides (KPA and navy) in order to maintain security of Kuwaiti sea ports, and to make sure we are ready for any emergency," he added.

The protocol, signed at Mohammad Al-Ahmad Naval Base, stipulates training of navy forces on towing and guiding of ships approaching Kuwaiti ports or leaving them, explained Sheikh Yusuf. Relations between Iran and the West have become increasingly strained after Britain seized an Iranian tanker in Gibraltar last week and London said its warship HMS Montrose had to fend off Iranian vessels seeking to block a British-owned tanker from passing through the Strait of Hormuz.

The most recent incidents followed a spate of attacks on tankers since May around the Strait of Hormuz and the Gulf of Oman, which the United States has blamed on Iran and are denied by Tehran. The two foes came close to direct military conflict last month when Iran shot down a US drone and President Donald Trump ordered retaliatory air strikes, only to call them off minutes before impact. Tensions have risen sharply since Washington stepped up economic sanctions against Iran and moved to bring its oil exports to zero as part of a "maximum pressure" policy to make Iran halt actions that it said undermined regional security. - Agencies