The United States is launching helicopters from the coast of Oman to guide commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz in secret.
Dozens of ships have been supported through the strategic waterway, turning off their transponders and often sailing under cover of darkness to avoid detection by Iranian radar and patrol boats.
Despite continuing US and Iranian blockades shutting the strait, both sides have been quietly helping tankers navigate the waterway to lessen the conflict’s effect on global markets.
The management of the strait has been a sticking point in negotiations, but the apparent standoff both in the talks and on the water has been subverted by the secretive military operations, ensuring continued passage by stealth.
The ships have to move slowly, operating without the usual navigation aids that would allow for sailing at faster speeds, largely relying on guidance from US forces watching the Iranian coast.
