Oil tankers navigate Strait of Hormuz with U.S. military escort, minimal electronic signatures

Ship captains transporting oil through the Strait of Hormuz report operating as close as one mile from Oman's northern coastline while running dark—without lights, phones, or significant radar use. The captains describe continuous U.S. military presence during their transits, including overhead jets and helicopters, plus near-constant communication with the Navy. While the southern shuttle route system for moving oil to waiting vessels has been previously documented, these specific operational security measures are newly disclosed.