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US used Iran-style covert transfers to move 90 million barrels of oil out of Gulf: Report
US used Iran-style covert transfers to move 90 million barrels of oil out of Gulf: Report
The U.S. has reportedly established a covert offshore oil-transfer network near the Strait of Hormuz, mirroring Iran's tactics to maintain Gulf crude exports. This operation, involving ship-to-ship transfers off Oman and the UAE, aims to circumvent Tehran's blockade of the vital waterway. While enabling continued exports, the network's reliance on clandestine methods raises concerns about its vulnerability and the U.S.
Ship-to-ship transfer, two locations, armed drones: How US smuggled 90 million barrels of oil using Iran's technique
Ship-to-ship transfer, two locations, armed drones: How US smuggled 90 million barrels of oil using Iran's technique
The transfer of oil started in early May and so far at least 92 ships have been involved in the transfers, according to shipping data and satellite imagery.
The US military has been secretly overseeing ship-to-ship oil transfers near the Strait of Hormuz since early May using the same smuggling technique Iran pioneered to bypass sanctions.
The Apache hel...
The US military has been secretly overseeing ship-to-ship oil transfers near the Strait of Hormuz since early May using the same smuggling technique Iran pioneered to bypass sanctions.
The Apache helicopter downed by Iran on June 9 was involved in this very operation, four sources tell Reuters.
The US is using an Iranian smuggling tactic to sneak oil out of ... - Mint
The US is using an Iranian smuggling tactic to sneak oil out of ... - Mint
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 theStrait of Hormuzemploys 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 byReuters.
As recently as June 11,17 pairs of ships could be seen carrying out simultaneous oil transfers at the two sites, according to satellite images reviewed byReuters.
An Apache helicopter downed by Iran on June 9, sparking retaliatory bombings by the U.S., was involved in the mission, according to four sources, including a former U.S. official with knowledge of the attack. Using satellite imagery, Reuters c…
Exclusive-The U.S. is using an Iranian smuggling tactic to sneak oil out of the Gulf
Exclusive-The U.S. is using an Iranian smuggling tactic to sneak oil out of the Gulf
<p>By Feras Dalatey , Jonathan Saul, Dmitry Zhdannikov and Edward Carron</p><p>DUBAI, June 16 (Reuters) - 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.</p>
How US quietly kept Gulf crude moving despite Iran's Hormuz blockade
How US quietly kept Gulf crude moving despite Iran's Hormuz blockade
The US military is secretly orchestrating ship-to-ship oil transfers in the Gulf to circumvent Iran's blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. This operation, involving smaller tankers transferring oil to larger vessels offshore, aims to keep energy exports flowing despite the crisis. The system relies on compliance checks and monitoring, with millions of barrels moved since early May.
US military has overseen 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 tan...
US military has overseen 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 employs a shuttling technique long used by Iran to skirt sanctions.
US has been using Iranian smuggling tactics to sneak Gulf oil past Hormuz blockade
US has been using Iranian smuggling tactics to sneak Gulf oil past Hormuz blockade
<p>Sources tell Reuters US military has conducted dozens of risky ship-to-ship oil transfers, and reveal that the Apache helicopter downed last week was part of the operation</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/us-has-been-using-iranian-smuggling-tactics-to-sneak-gulf-oil-past-hormuz-blockade/">US has been using Iranian smuggling tactics to sneak Gulf oil past Hormuz blockade</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com">The Times of Israel</a>.</p>
<figure><img src="https://static-cdn.toi-media.com/www/uploads/2026/06/9737252-1024x640.jpg" title="US has been using Iranian smuggling tactics to sneak Gulf oil past Hormuz blockade" border="0" width="160" height="100" class="type:primaryImage"></figure>
The U.S. is using an Iranian smuggling tactic to sneak oil out of the ...
The U.S. is using an Iranian smuggling tactic to sneak oil out of the ...
Reuters
A satellite image of side-by-side ships at sea, off the coast of Sohar, Oman, June 9, 2026.
DUBAI: 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.
As recently as June 11,17 pairs of ships could be seen carrying out simultaneous oil transfers at the two sites, according to satellite images reviewed by Reuters.
An Apache helicopter downed by Iran on June 9, sparking retaliatory bombings by the U.S., was involved in the mission, according to fou…
How US is using Iranian smuggling tactic to move oil out of the Gulf
Corroboration
No verdict, no pronouncement. The model extracts atomic factual claims with verbatim quotes; every quote is validated against the source text and corroboration is computed by counting how many editorially-opposed blocs assert each fact. 3 fabricated/unverifiable quotes were rejected by the cite-or-die gate.
The spine · 3 facts corroborated across ≥2 opposed blocs
2×broadly confirmedThe 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.
mideast_indother
almonitor“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.”
livemint.com“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.”
2×cross-perspective · 2An Apache helicopter downed by Iran on June 9 was involved in the operation.
israelother
bluesky“The Apache helicopter downed by Iran on June 9 was involved in this very operation, four sources tell Reuters.”
timesofisrael“Sources tell Reuters US military has conducted dozens of risky ship-to-ship oil transfers, and reveal that the Apache helicopter downed last week was part of the operation”
livemint.com“An Apache helicopter downed by Iran on June 9, sparking retaliatory bombings by the U.S., was involved in the mission, according to four source”
1×broadly confirmedThe U.S. used Iran-style covert transfers to move 90 million barrels of oil out of the Gulf.
india
timesofindia“US used Iran-style covert transfers to move 90 million barrels of oil out of Gulf: Report”
hindustantimes“Ship-to-ship transfer, two locations, armed drones: How US smuggled 90 million barrels of oil using Iran's technique”
Single-source · 4 — reported by one bloc only (uncorroborated)
The U.S. military has been secretly overseeing ship-to-ship oil transfers near the Strait of Hormuz since early May using the same smuggling technique Iran pioneered to bypass sanctions.
bluesky
At least 92 ships have been involved in the ship-to-ship oil transfers.
hindustantimes
The U.S. has reportedly established a covert offshore oil-transfer network near the Strait of Hormuz, mirroring Iran's tactics to maintain Gulf crude exports.
timesofindia
The oil transfers take place off the coast of Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates and off Oman’s port of Sohar.
livemint.com
Framing · 5 — loaded language surfaced (spin shown, not adopted)
bluesky
“The US military has been secretly overseeing ship-to-ship oil transfers near the Strait of Hormuz since early May using the same smuggling technique Iran pioneered to bypass sanctions.”
→ The U.S. military has been overseeing ship-to-ship oil transfers near the Strait of Hormuz since early May using a technique Iran used to bypass sanctions.
hindustantimes
“Ship-to-ship transfer, two locations, armed drones: How US smuggled 90 million barrels of oil using Iran's technique”
→ The U.S. conducted ship-to-ship oil transfers using a technique associated with Iran, involving two locations and armed drones.
timesofindia
“US used Iran-style covert transfers to move 90 million barrels of oil out of Gulf: Report”
→ The U.S. conducted covert ship-to-ship oil transfers near the Strait of Hormuz using a method associated with Iran.
timesofisrael
“US has been using Iranian smuggling tactics to sneak Gulf oil past Hormuz blockade”
→ The U.S. has been using Iranian-style tactics to transfer Gulf oil past the Strait of Hormuz.
livemint.com
“An Apache helicopter downed by Iran on June 9, sparking retaliatory bombings by the U.S., was involved in the mission, according to four source”
→ An Apache helicopter downed by Iran on June 9 was involved in the mission, according to four sources.
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