Based on a technique that Iran has been using for years, the U.S. military has reportedly supervised (and continues to do so until the signing of the Washington - Tehran agreement) dozens of secret oil transfers from ship to ship in the Persian Gulf, with the aim of maintaining exports despite restrictions imposed by the substantial closure of the Straits of Hormuz by Iran in the last four months.
According to a survey by Reuters, air and sea drones are used in the operation, as well as helicopters that guide tankers to predetermined transhipment sites.
This operation is implemented at the boundaries of the Straits of Hormuz and is based on a cargo transport technique from ship to ship, similar to that used for years by Tehran to circumvent international sanctions.
According to 11 sources invoked by Reuters, two key transhipment sites have been created off Fujira in the United Arab Emirates and near the Sohar port of Oman. The operation started in early May and so far at least 92 ships have participated. Satellite images and maritime data showed that even on 11 June there were simultaneous oil transfers between 17 pairs of ships in the two regions.
Of particular interest is the revelation that Apache helicopter, which was shot down by Iran on 9 June causing American retaliation, participated in the wider mission. Although its exact role has not been clarified, sources with knowledge of the case confirm that it was in the business area.
American defence ministry official however said that US Central Administration (CENTCOM) forces are not directly involved in oil transport. According to Reuters, the role of the US is limited to monitoring, checking compliance with ships and monitoring their movements.
How the transport network worksSources say tankers are initially directed to predetermined rendezvous points before approaching the Straits of Hormuz. Ships move with erased tracking transponders and low lighting, maintaining distances of 3 to 4 kilometers between them.
After passing through areas that Iran considers to be under its control, large VLCC-type tankers are approached where cargo transport is carried out. The procedure runs from 24 to 40 hours. The smaller ships then return for new cargo, while the fully loaded VLCC continue towards international markets.
Reuters estimates that through this network some 90 million barrels of crude oil and petroleum products have been moved since early May. Despite the impressive volume, the size remains small compared to about 20 million barrels passing daily from the Straits of Hormuz before the war.
Risks and geopolitical implicationsTransport takes place in a high risk area. The newly established Iranian Authority of the Persian Gulf Straits has designated control zones and ships that do not comply with its instructions may be faced with attacks by the Guards of the Revolution.
At the same time, the port of Fujira has been repeatedly attacked during the conflict. According to British shipping risk management company Vanguard, an unknown missile hit a tanker off Oman last weekend, causing a cargo leak without any injuries or environmental damage.
The investigation notes that the US seems to have adopted methods that previously used countries such as Iran, Russia and North Korea to circumvent restrictions on oil transport. Typical is the report by US Foreign Relations Council President Michael Froman, who noted that Washington is "borrowing practices of so-called 'dark fleets' that led to the avoidance of sanctions.".
An important role in transport is reportedly played by Gulf state companies, including the United Arab Emirates ADNOC and the Kuwait Oil Tanker Company, but which did not respond to comments.