The operation, which began in early May, uses aerial drones, water drones and helicopters to guide oil convoys through the region. Reuters reported that at least 92 vessels have participated in the transfers, which take place at two locations near Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates and Sohar in Oman.
Satellite imagery reviewed by Reuters showed multiple simultaneous oil transfers between tankers. On June 11 alone, 17 pairs of ships were reportedly engaged in transfer operations at the two sites.
The report said the system resembles a method long used by Iran to evade sanctions, with smaller tankers transporting oil through the Strait of Hormuz before transferring cargo to larger vessels waiting outside the area.
The operation comes after Iran effectively restricted traffic through the Strait of Hormuz following the US-Israel conflict that began in February. The waterway is one of the world s most important energy routes, carrying around one-fifth of global oil and gas supplies during normal conditions.
According to Reuters, participating tankers travel with transponders switched off and lights dimmed, moving through designated transit corridors under close monitoring. Once outside the strait, they transfer oil to Very Large Crude Carriers (VLCCs), which then continue to international markets.
A US defence official denied that Central Command forces were directly involved in offshore oil transfer activities. However, several sources cited by Reuters said the operation was closely coordinated by the US military through surveillance, compliance checks and voyage monitoring.
Reuters estimated that around 90 million barrels of crude oil and petroleum products may have been moved through the network since early May, although this remains well below pre-conflict export volumes.
The report also highlighted safety concerns, with shipping industry officials warning that vessels travelling without active tracking systems and navigation lights face a higher risk of collisions.
Major Gulf energy exporters, including the UAE s ADNOC and Kuwait Oil Tanker Company, were identified as key participants in the transfer network. The operation is seen as part of broader efforts to maintain global energy supplies while diplomatic efforts continue to resolve tensions in the region.
Meanwhile, negotiations between the United States and Iran continue, with both sides discussing measures that could eventually lead to the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and the restoration of normal energy flows.
