Taking a page from Iran's playbook, US uses ship-to-ship transfers to smuggle oil out of Gulf

The United States military has been secretly orchestrating numerous ship-to-ship oil transfers in the Persian Gulf to ensure energy exports continue, utilizing a strategy previously employed by Iran to circumvent sanctions.

These covert operations, which began in early May, involve aerial and water drones, as well as helicopters, to guide oil convoys to waiting tankers. Shipping data and satellite imagery reviewed by Reuters indicate that at least 92 vessels have participated in these transfers. The operations are concentrated in two specific locations: one off the coast of Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates and another near Oman's port of Sohar, both situated near the strategic Strait of Hormuz.

Recent satellite images from June 11 showed 17 pairs of ships engaged in simultaneous transfers at these sites. The mission's complexity was highlighted by an incident on June 9, when an Apache helicopter was downed by Iran, leading to retaliatory U.S. bombings. While the exact role of the Apache in the transfer operation remains unconfirmed, four sources, including a former U.S. official, linked it to the mission. U.S. defense officials, however, stated that no Central Command forces were involved in offshore ship-to-ship transfers, and the helicopter crew was rescued by a drone boat.

The extent and mechanics of these ship-to-ship transfers, along with the Apache's involvement, have not been previously disclosed. The White House referred Reuters' inquiries to CENTCOM, while the Iranian government did not comment. These transfer points are located near maritime boundaries managed by a new Iranian body, the Persian Gulf Strait Authority, which warns ships against non-compliance. The Fujairah port itself has faced Iranian attacks during the period of these U.S.-led operations, and an "unknown projectile" recently struck a tanker off Oman, causing minor cargo leakage.