US Military Oversees Secretive Oil Transfers in Gulf of Oman
The United States military has overseen scores of secretive ship-to-ship oil transfers to keep Gulf energy exports flowing, using aerial and water drones as well as 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. Two specific locations where the oil transfers take place were identified by 11 people familiar with the operation – one off the coast of Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates and the other off Oman’s port of Sohar. It started in early May, and at least 92 ships have been involved in the transfers, according to shipping data and satellite imagery reviewed by Reuters.
US Military Involvement Confirmed
An Apache helicopter downed by Iran on June 9, sparking retaliatory bombings by the US, was involved in the mission, according to four sources, including a former US official with knowledge of the attack. Using satellite images reviewed by Reuters, at least six pairs of tanker ships clustered together in a small area off the port of Sohar the day the Apache was shot down.
Reuters could not confirm what role the Apache played in the operation. In response to Reuters questions, a US defense official said no Central Command forces are taking part in an offshore ship-to-ship oil transfer operation. Both crew members were rescued by a drone boat, US officials said.
Extent of Ship-to-Ship Transfers Revealed
The extent of the ship-to-ship transfers, how they work, and the Apache‘s role in the operation have not been previously reported. The White House referred questions to Centcom. The Iranian government did not respond to requests for comment about the transfer operation.
Risk of Drone and Missile Attack
Ships that fail to comply with Iran’s orders are at risk of drone and missile attack by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. The Fujairah port itself has come under repeated Iranian fire during the time this US-led operation has been underway. This past weekend, according to the British maritime risk management group Vanguard, an “unknown projectile” struck a tanker off the coast of Oman. Vanguard said in a statement that the crew was safe and that the impact caused some leakage of the cargo, but no environmental damage. It did not specify whether the tanker was involved in a ship-to-ship transfer.
Trump Administration’s Efforts to Restore Normal Oil Flows
The ship-to-ship transfers, though risky and inefficient, appear to be part of the Trump administration’s efforts to help restore normal oil flows from the Gulf. US President Donald Trump said the Strait of Hormuz would reopen Friday under a framework peace deal with Iran announced this week, but details remain vague. Reuters could not determine whether the announced deal had affected the oil transfers.
Iranian System for Ushering Ships Through Strait
A Reuters investigation published May 20 found that Iran has established its own system for ushering ships through the opposite side of the Strait, involving island checkpoints, diplomatic deals and sometimes fees.
Original Article: The US is using an Iranian smuggling tactic to sneak oil out of the Gulf — Bdnews24