US Forces Strike Iranian Oil Tanker Near Kharg Island

TEHRAN: US forces have reportedly attacked an Iranian oil tanker near Kharg Island, while several explosions were heard in the surrounding area.

Iran’s official Fars news agency did not immediately provide details about the nature of the attack, possible damage or casualties. US authorities also did not immediately issue a statement regarding the reported incident.

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 island has recently been targeted during US military operations against Iranian military and strategic assets along the country’s southern coastline. Previous strikes in the area reportedly targeted air-defence systems, radar installations and naval assets.

The latest reported attack on the tanker comes amid increasing pressure on Iran’s oil export routes and maritime activity around the Strait of Hormuz.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on Wednesday that oil shipments were accumulating aboard vessels trapped in the Strait of Hormuz as the disruption continued to affect Iran’s oil exports.

Bessent also said that since the blockade was reinstated, no Iranian oil shipment had crossed the Strait of Hormuz toward China.

The comments underline Washington’s efforts to restrict Iran’s ability to export crude oil and place additional pressure on Tehran’s economy.

Meanwhile, Iranian officials have indicated that Tehran could launch pre-emptive operations whenever it considers its security under immediate threat.

Such a move could mark a further escalation in the confrontation and potentially lead to additional military operations in the region.

The reported attack near Kharg Island comes at a highly sensitive moment, with the Strait of Hormuz and Iran’s oil infrastructure remaining central to the wider US-Iran confrontation.

Any further attacks on oil tankers, export terminals or maritime routes could have significant consequences for regional security, international shipping and global energy markets.