[Reuters: U.S. Military Secretly Transfers Gulf Oil Following Iran's Model] BlockBeats News, June 16, according to Reuters, in order to maintain the flow of energy exports in the Gulf region, the U.S. military has overseen dozens of secret ship-to-ship crude oil transfer operations. These operations have utilized aerial drones, surface drones, and helicopters to guide fleets to tankers waiting to receive the oil. The operation is located on the edge of the Strait of Hormuz and employs a transfer method long used by Iran to evade sanctions. Individuals familiar with the operation confirmed two specific locations for the oil transfers: one off the coast of Fujairah, UAE, and the other off the coast of Sohar Port, Oman. Based on shipping data and satellite images, the operation began in early May, with at least 92 vessels participating in the transfers. Satellite images show that as of June 11, 17 pairs of vessels were still conducting crude oil transfer operations at these two locations. Four sources, including a former U.S. official, revealed that an Apache helicopter, which was shot down by Iran on June 9 and subsequently triggered U.S. retaliatory airstrikes, was involved in this mission. According to satellite images, on the day the Apache helicopter was shot down, six pairs of tankers were gathered in a small area of water off Sohar Port.