An Iranian oil tanker was struck near Kharg Island, a crucial oil export hub in the Gulf, in an attack attributed to United States forces, according to the semi-official Iranian news agency Tasnim. The incident reportedly occurred yesterday in the anchorage area off Kharg Island, with the tanker hit by four missiles. Local sources cited by Tasnim indicated that there were no casualties and that the tanker’s crew was being evacuated.
The attack follows heightened tensions surrounding Kharg Island, which serves as a primary export point for Iran’s crude oil. Prior to recent disruptions, Iran, the third-largest producer in the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), exported approximately 90% of its crude oil through this facility.
US President Donald Trump had previously issued strong statements regarding Kharg Island. On August 31, he posted a brief message on social media, accompanied by an AI-generated video, declaring the island was being “blown to smithereens.” In June, Trump expressed an interest in seizing Kharg Island but later indicated a planned US military operation there was not imminent. This followed a brief easing of tensions when Tehran and Washington signed an interim agreement on June 17 intended to de-escalate conflict.
The US maintains a blockade of Iranian oil exports that began in mid-April, aiming to restrict Iran’s access to global energy markets after Tehran effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz. The strait is a critical maritime corridor, previously responsible for transporting about 20% of the world’s oil. The blockade and ongoing disruptions have placed considerable strain on Iran’s economy and oil industry.
Iranian authorities have publicly vowed to respond strongly to any attacks on Kharg Island, underlining the strategic importance of the area. The recent strike marks a significant escalation in the ongoing tensions between the two countries and adds to the uncertainty surrounding the stability of oil shipments in the region.