US oversees secret Gulf oil transfers using Iran-style methods, says report

People returning to their village following the announcement of an initial US-Iran ceasefire check their destroyed houses in Nabatiyeh town, southern Lebanon, on Tuesday. PIC/AP/PTI

The US military has overseen scores of secretive ship-to-ship oil transfers to keep Gulf energy exports flowing, using aerial, water drones, and helicopters in an operation to guide convoys to awaiting tankers.

The operation on the edge of the Strait of Hormuz employs a shuttling technique long used by Iran to skirt sanctions. There were two specific locations, one off the coast of Fujairah in the UAE and the other off Omans port of Sohar, where the oil transfers take place.

In early May, and at least 92 ships have been involved in the transfers, according to shipping data and satellite imagery reviewed by Reuters. As of June 11, 17 pairs of ships could be seen carrying out oil transfers. An Apache helicopter downed by Iran on June 9 was involved in the mission, sources, including a former US official, said.

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