US Missile Strikes Iranian Tanker Near Kharg Island

A US missile strike hit an Iranian oil tanker near Kharg Island, Iran's main oil export hub, on September 6.

Iranian state television claimed the tanker was struck by four missiles approximately six miles from Kharg Island. The report indicated no casualties occurred and the crew was evacuated. US Central Command did not verify or comment on the claim. Following the alleged US strike, Iran claimed attacks on three oil tankers and other US-linked ships.

Explosions were heard near Kharg Island, according to Iranian media reports. The semi-official Iranian news agency Tasnim reported the tanker was hit by US forces on Saturday near the island's anchorage area. The state-run Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) outlet also stated the attack occurred at 8 AM local time. Kharg Island controls about 90% of Iran's oil exports.

The incident signals increasing hostilities in the conflict between the United States and Iran, which has continued for more than six months and resulted in at least 18 American service members dead. President Donald Trump has previously referenced attacking Kharg Island, including in an AI-generated video posted on August 30 to Truth Social. During the July NATO Summit, Trump discussed a then-recent attack on Kharg Island, stating, "Don't touch the oil, because maybe we'll take over Kharg Island."

Ebrahim Rezaei, a spokesperson for the Iranian parliament's National Security and Foreign Policy Committee, responded to Trump's remarks on X, stating, "Come, we are waiting for you, and we promise that not a single American soldier will return alive."