TEHRAN – US forces carried out a strike on an Iranian oil tanker near Kharg Island, with several explosions also heard in the surrounding area, the local Iranian media reported on Saturday.
Iran’s state-run Fars News Agency reported the incident but did not immediately provide details about the nature of the attack, the extent of any damage or possible casualties. No immediate statement was issued by US officials regarding the reported strike.
Kharg Island is one of Iran’s most important oil export terminals and serves as a major hub for the country’s crude oil shipments. The strategic facility has recently come under attack as part of broader US military operations targeting Iranian air defence systems, radar installations and naval assets along the country’s southern coastline.
The latest reported incident comes amid heightened tensions surrounding Iran’s oil exports and shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global energy route.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said a day earlier that Iran’s oil-export lifeline was being disrupted as crude oil continued to accumulate aboard vessels stranded in the Strait of Hormuz.
Bessent also claimed that since the blockade was reinstated, no Iranian oil shipment had successfully passed through the Strait of Hormuz to China.
Meanwhile, the Iranian authorities have indicated that Tehran could launch pre-emptive actions whenever it perceives an imminent threat. Such warnings have raised concerns that further military escalation could follow if tensions between Iran and the United States continue to intensify.
The reported strike near Kharg Island could further increase pressure on Iran’s oil-export infrastructure and maritime trade, while adding to concerns over the security of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
The details regarding the reported attack, including the extent of damage to the tanker and any casualties, were not immediately available.
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