Iranian media report that an oil tanker was hit by U.S. missiles near Kharg Island on Saturday, with no casualties reported.
Key facts
- •Tasnim reported that four U.S. missiles struck the tanker near the Kharg Island anchorage.
- •Iranian media stated that the tanker's crew is being evacuated and no casualties have been reported.
- •U.S. Central Command did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the incident.
- •The strike follows reports of Iranian anti-ship missile launches in the Strait of Hormuz on Friday.
- •Kharg Island has been a focal point of U.S.-Iran tensions, with President Donald Trump previously discussing potential military operations there.
An Iranian oil tanker was reportedly struck by U.S. forces near Kharg Island in the Gulf on Saturday, September 5, 2026. According to the semi-official Iranian news agency Tasnim, the vessel was hit by four U.S. missiles in the area of the island's anchorage. While reports indicate the crew is being evacuated, there have been no confirmed casualties, and neither U.S. nor Iranian officials have issued an immediate official statement regarding the incident.
Context of Regional Tensions
The reported strike follows a series of military actions in the region. On Friday, Tehran reportedly launched anti-ship missiles against vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. Tensions have escalated since the war began in late February, with U.S. Central Command conducting multiple strikes against Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) assets, including air defense sites, radar systems, and maritime facilities, in response to threats against commercial shipping.
Significance of Kharg Island
Kharg Island serves as a critical oil export hub for Iran, which is the third-largest producer in the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries. Before the war, the island handled 90% of Iran's crude exports. The U.S. has maintained a naval blockade on Iranian ports since mid-April, following Iran's closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a waterway that previously carried one-fifth of the world's oil supply.
Timeline
- Late FebruaryThe war between Iran and the United States began.
- Mid-AprilThe U.S. imposed a naval blockade on Iranian ports.
- June 11President Trump stated he wanted to take over Kharg Island.
- June 17Tehran and Washington signed an interim agreement aimed at ending the war.
- August 31President Trump posted a social media message stating Kharg Island was being blown to smithereens.
- September 5, 2026An Iranian tanker was reportedly hit by U.S. missiles near Kharg Island.
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