Daijiworld Media Network - Kharg Island
Kharg Island, Sep 5: An Iranian oil tanker was reportedly struck by US missiles near Kharg Island, Iran’s major oil export hub, amid renewed escalation between Washington and Tehran.
Iranian Students News Network (SNN), citing local sources, reported that US forces targeted the tanker with missiles on Saturday. Iranian semi-official Tasnim news agency later reported that the vessel was struck by four US missiles.
The tanker was reportedly a relatively small vessel, and there were no casualties in the incident. Reuters reported that the crew was being evacuated. Iranian media also reported hearing several explosions in the area, although the origin of some of the blasts remained unclear.
There was no immediate official confirmation from either the Iranian authorities or US Central Command regarding the reported tanker strike.
The reported attack comes amid a sharp escalation in the US-Iran conflict. US forces have carried out fresh strikes against Iranian targets in recent days, while Tehran has retaliated against US military positions and other targets in the region. Reuters reported earlier this week that the US military had completed another wave of strikes on Iran, while Iranian forces responded with attacks on US assets in Jordan, Bahrain and Iraq.
Kharg Island is particularly significant to Iran's economy as it hosts the country's main crude oil export terminal. Reuters has reported that the island historically handled the vast majority of Iran's crude exports, making any attack on the facility or nearby shipping a major escalation with potential consequences for global energy markets.
US President Donald Trump has repeatedly warned of further military action against Iran. On August 30, Trump said Iran's Kharg Island was being targeted, while recent remarks from the US president have indicated that Washington remains prepared to intensify its campaign if hostilities continue.
The latest incident could further increase risks to commercial shipping and oil supplies in the Gulf, particularly as tensions around the strategically important Strait of Hormuz remain high. Reuters has reported that tanker traffic through the waterway has been severely disrupted during the conflict.