The U.S. is Using Iranian Oil Smuggling Tactics Maritime Activity Reports, Inc. June 16, 2026 © yriy47 / Adobe Stock 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 116 ships have been involved in the transfers, according to shipping data and satellite imagery reviewed by Reuters. As recently as Tuesday morning, 12 pairs of ships could be seen side-by-side in the Gulf of Oman: eight off the coast of Sohar in Oman and four near Fujairah, according to satellite imagery reviewed by Reuters. Last week on June 11, when the activity appeared to have peaked, 17 pairs of ships could be seen carrying out simultaneous oil transfers at the two sites, according to images from that day. 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 counted six pairs of tanker ships clustered together in a small area off the port of Sohar the day the Apache was shot down. Reuters could not confirm what role the Apache played in the operation. In response to Reuters questions, a U.S. defense official said no Central Command forces are taking part in an offshore ship-to-ship oil transfer operation. Both crew members were rescued by a drone boat, U.S. officials said. The extent of the ship-to-ship transfers, how they work, and the Apache’s role in the operation ha