Key facts
- The U.S. military is using Iran's sanctions-evasion tactics.
- Ship-to-ship oil transfers are part of the U.S. military's strategy.
- The operation aims to maintain energy exports from the Gulf.
- Aerial and water drones are employed in the operation.
- Approximately 90 million barrels of oil have been moved since May.
- The U.S. Coast Guard has identified risky digital tools used by tankers.
- Tankers transport sanctioned oil from Iran and Russia.
- These tankers are known as the 'dark fleet'.
- Risky digital tools pose threats to ship safety, crew well-being, and the environment.
The U.S. military has begun employing tactics previously used by Iran to evade sanctions, specifically for maintaining energy exports from the Gulf. This strategy involves ship-to-ship oil transfers, a method honed by Iran for its own sanctioned oil exports. The operation, which has been active since May, utilizes both aerial and water drones to facilitate these transfers. To date, approximately 90 million barrels of oil have been moved through this system.
In parallel, the U.S. Coast Guard has identified significant risks associated with the 'dark fleet' of tankers. These vessels are primarily involved in transporting oil that is under sanction, originating from countries like Iran and Russia. The Coast Guard's findings indicate that these tankers are employing digital tools that introduce considerable dangers. These risks extend to the overall safety of the ships, the well-being of their crews, and the potential for environmental damage.