At least two US military tanker aircraft were observed flying circular trajectories over the Persian Gulf on Thursday, according to air traffic control sources cited by TASS.
The aircraft were spotted at an altitude of approximately 8.5 kilometers amid reports of an operation by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) aimed at neutralizing targets in the Strait of Hormuz.
While no immediate disruption to commercial traffic was reported, the proximity of military assets to shipping lanes maintains a risk premium on crude and refined products.
The sighting marks a continuation of heightened military presence in the region, following earlier observations of US early warning and transport aircraft operating in the same airspace.
The circular flight patterns suggest sustained surveillance or readiness postures rather than transit, indicating a persistent focus on the strategic chokepoint.
For energy markets, the renewed activity underscores the ongoing vulnerability of the Strait of Hormuz, through which a significant share of global oil and gas shipments pass.
While no immediate disruption to commercial traffic was reported, the proximity of military assets to shipping lanes maintains a risk premium on crude and refined products.