▲ Ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz
An increasing number of vessels attempting to pass through the Strait of Hormuz are utilizing a risky route that hugs the Omani coastline, the British newspaper Financial Times (FT) reported on June 10 (local time).
According to sources cited by the FT, approximately 15 ships, primarily oil tankers, navigate this route daily under U.S. air cover.
The United States first established a system to provide air support for ships attempting to transit the Strait of Hormuz via the Omani route about two weeks ago.
Vessels intending to use this passage are instructed to request authorization from the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM).
It is reported that the command provides ships with navigational coordinates, instructs them to turn off their GPS signals and all electronic equipment, and advises them to transit under the cover of darkness.
The Omani route is adjacent to massive rocky cliffs and is difficult for large vessels to navigate, as it is only 800 meters wide at certain points.
Concerns have been raised that this could lead to collision accidents.
A source stated that the U.S. side allows two-way traffic in the narrow channel, instructing ships to pass each other at wider sections.
An executive in the oil tanker industry expressed concern, saying, "Having fully loaded ships navigating a single-lane route in both directions without proper maneuvering capability is like driving down a country road at night without headlights," adding, "The potential for an accident is high."
John Stawpert, manager of environment and trade at the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), also commented on the route, stating, "It is a very narrow waterway with little room for maneuvering, so there are concerns about the navigational implications of ships using this path."
Circumstantial evidence suggests that the "secret operation" in the Strait of Hormuz mentioned by U.S. President Donald Trump likely involves this Omani route.
On that day, President Trump announced that the U.S. military had been conducting a secret operation since last month to support the safe passage of civilian ships through the Strait of Hormuz.
He wrote on Truth Social, "Last month, I directed our great U.S. military to conduct a secret operation to assist oil tankers and other commercial vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz."
He added, "Today, I am pleased to announce that as a result of this effort, over 100 million barrels of oil have passed through the strait and been supplied to the open market," noting that "over 200 commercial vessels have passed through the strait safely."
According to The New York Times (NYT), U.S. officials have not disclosed which ships are secretly passing through the Strait of Hormuz or what routes they are using.
However, ships passing near Iran without Iranian approval must risk potential drone or missile attacks from Iran.
Therefore, one source stated that at least one route is not close to the Iranian coastline.
The NYT also reported that shipping experts believe vessels passing through the strait under U.S. guidance are following a route close to Oman.
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.