The World - News from Sept. 18, 1988

The Reagan Administration has approved in principle the first change in its 14-month-old Persian Gulf convoy procedures as a result of the Iran-Iraq cease-fire, defense officials said. Under the proposal, U.S.-flag tankers would be kept under surveillance within a “defensive zone” by U.S. warships but not accompanied every step of the way, as is now the case, the officials said. The change will allow only a slight reduction in the number of U.S. warships in the area but will increase flexibility and let the Navy operate at a lower alert level, the officials added.