The US is using an Iranian smuggling tactic to sneak oil out of the Gulf

The US is using an Iranian smuggling tactic to sneak oil out of the Gulf

Operation Details Revealed

Theindiapostdaily.com – The U.S. military has coordinated numerous covert oil exchanges between vessels to maintain Gulf energy shipments, leveraging aerial drones, watercraft, and helicopters to direct convoys toward waiting tankers. This effort operates near the Strait of Hormuz, a location where Iran has historically used similar methods to bypass sanctions. Two specific sites—off the UAE’s Fujairah and Oman’s Sohar port—were identified by 11 individuals connected to the operation. The initiative began in early May, involving at least 92 ships, as confirmed by shipping records and satellite analysis reviewed by Reuters.

Apache Helicopter’s Role

On June 9, an Apache helicopter downed by Iran was linked to the mission, according to four sources, including a former U.S. official. The aircraft’s involvement was highlighted by satellite images showing six pairs of tankers clustered near Sohar the same day. While the exact role of the Apache remains unclear, U.S. officials noted that both crew members were recovered by a drone boat. A defense official clarified that no Central Command forces are directly participating in the offshore transfers.

Strategic Implications

The White House deflected inquiries to Centcom, leaving details of the operation unconfirmed. Iran’s government has yet to comment on the activity, despite its proximity to the boundaries of the Persian Gulf Strait Authority, a new entity managing the Hormuz Strait. Ships that do not follow Iran’s directives face potential drone or missile attacks by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Fujairah has seen repeated targeting, and last weekend, an “unknown projectile” struck an Omani tanker, causing minor cargo leakage but no environmental harm, as reported by the British maritime group Vanguard.

Operational Tactics

According to eight sources, including a private security contractor, the U.S.-led transfers are fully controlled by military operations. Tankers must arrive at designated meeting points before entering the strait, then depart in staggered intervals to maintain distances of 3,000 to 4,000 meters. Transponders are disabled, and lights are dimmed to avoid detection. Waypoints track the ships’ progress, with one insider stating, “obviously watching you all the time.” Once past Iran’s claimed control zone, the vessels dock alongside Very Large Crude Carriers to initiate transfers, which take 24 to 40 hours.

Iran’s Own System

A prior Reuters investigation from May 20 revealed Iran’s establishment of a system to manage ship traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, utilizing island checkpoints, diplomatic agreements, and occasional fees. The U.S. operation, while risky and less efficient, appears tied to the Trump administration’s goal of resuming normal oil exports. Although Trump claimed the strait would reopen Friday under a peace deal announced this week, details remain vague. Reuters could not confirm if the agreement influenced the ongoing transfers.

Iran’s closure of the strait during the U.S.-Israeli conflict disrupted global oil supply chains, triggering widespread inflation. The current covert transfers aim to mitigate this impact, though their long-term effectiveness and safety remain under scrutiny.