The U.S. military has overseen scores of secretive ship-to-ship oil transfers near the Strait of Hormuz to keep Gulf energy exports flowing, using aerial and water drones as well as helicopters to guide convoys to awaiting tankers. The U.S. conducted covert ship-to-ship oil transfers using a method associated with Iran, moving 90 million barrels of oil out of the Gulf. An Apache helicopter downed by Iran on June 9 was involved in the operation, according to four sources. According to livemint.com, the transfers took place off the coast of Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates and off Oman’s port of Sohar. Reported by bluesky, the U.S. military has been overseeing these transfers since early May. Reported by hindustantimes, at least 92 ships have been involved. Reported by timesofindia, the U.S. has established a covert offshore oil-transfer network near the Strait of Hormuz, mirroring Iran's tactics.