The United States activates aerial surveillance over the Gulf.

Flight tracking data on Monday showed a U.S. Navy MQ-4C Triton reconnaissance drone flying over the Arabian Gulf, following Washington’s announcement of an operation to secure the exit of ships from the Strait of Hormuz.

According to the data, the aircraft activated its transceiver at approximately 9:40 AM (Baghdad time), while flying at an altitude of about 10 kilometers over Jordan.

At approximately 11:40 a.m., the aircraft, bearing the call sign “OVRLD1”, departed the Saudi coast, continuing its flight over the Arabian Gulf within an area that witnesses regular patrols.

On Sunday evening, US President Donald Trump announced the launch of “Operation Freedom” to help ships trapped in the Strait of Hormuz leave, noting that these ships belong to countries that have no connection to the ongoing tension between Washington and Tehran.

The MQ-4C Triton is one of the U.S. Navy’s newest unmanned reconnaissance aircraft and is used for long-range maritime surveillance missions.

It is characterized by its ability to fly for long hours and at high altitudes, and is equipped with advanced radar systems that enable it to track ships and maritime targets and provide an accurate intelligence picture to support operations in sensitive areas, such as the Strait of Hormuz and the Arabian Gulf.

Shafaq.com