The US military has been conducting a covert operation to facilitate the transfer of crude oil in the Gulf, according to sources cited by Reuters. This involved coordinating dozens of ship-to-ship transfers to maintain oil export flows. The operation utilized aerial and maritime drones, as well as helicopters, to guide convoys of ships to awaiting tankers. An Apache helicopter downed during a recent incident was reportedly participating in this mission. The method employed by the US military has been described as mirroring techniques used by Iran. The operation’s purpose was to circumvent challenges to oil exports in the region, ensuring continued supply. Details of the operation remained largely undisclosed until now, highlighting a previously unknown aspect of US involvement in Gulf oil markets.