Iran Accuses US of Striking Oil Tanker Near Kharg Island

Iranian state television claimed Saturday that the United States struck one of the country's oil tankers six miles from Kharg Island.

The semi-official Tasnim news agency reported an Iranian tanker was hit by US forces near Iran's key oil export hub, Kharg Island, in the Gulf. A Tasnim correspondent from Kharg stated the tanker was hit by four US missiles in the area of Kharg Island's anchorage. Local sources quoted by Tasnim reported no casualties and that the tanker's crew was being evacuated.

The semi-official Fars news agency reported explosions were heard near Kharg Island, but the origin was unknown and no visible smoke was seen. State-affiliated Nournews reported unconfirmed information from local sources that an Iranian tanker had been targeted by a US missile near Kharg. US Central Command has not immediately responded to a request for comment or verified the claim.

Kharg Island serves as Iran's main crude oil export terminal. Before the war, Iran exported 90% of its crude via Kharg Island. These flows have been disrupted since a US blockade of Iranian oil exports began in mid-April. The reported incident follows President Donald Trump's social media post on August 31, which included an AI-generated video depicting Kharg Island being blown to smithereens.

Trump also stated on June 11 that he wanted to take over Kharg Island, though he later said a threatened US military operation there was off the table before an interim agreement was signed on June 17. Iranian authorities have vowed a strong response if Kharg Island is attacked. The conflict between the United States and Iran has continued for more than six months, leaving at least 18 American service members dead.