Multiple reports say the U.S. military is carrying out a covert ship-to-ship operation in the Gulf to keep energy exports moving. The operation uses ship-to-ship transfers in which one vessel transfers oil to another at sea, rather than relying solely on direct loading at ports. According to sources cited across outlets, the U.S. oversees scores of these transfers and provides guidance to convoys using aerial and water drones, along with helicopters and monitoring systems.
The reports describe the approach as resembling tactics used in Iranian smuggling efforts, in that it relies on repeated tanker-to-tanker movements. Business Line states that the operation has facilitated more than 100 tanker-to-tanker transfers since May, based on sources and satellite data. Other summaries characterize the scale more generally as “scores” of transfers.
All accounts tie the activity to maintaining Gulf oil export flow amid heightened maritime security and sanctions enforcement. The reporting attributes key operational elements—drones, helicopters, monitoring, and convoy guidance—to U.S. military involvement, while emphasizing that the transfers are kept secretive and occur at sea.
