An Iranian oil tanker was reportedly struck by US forces near Kharg Island on Saturday morning, according to Iranian media, as tensions between Washington and Tehran continue to rise around the strategically important Strait of Hormuz.
Initial reports said the tanker was hit close to Kharg Island, a major Iranian oil export hub located near the vital waterway. Several explosions were reportedly heard following the incident, while the vessel was being evacuated.
No casualties had been reported at the time of the initial reports. There was no immediate confirmation from either the US or Iranian governments, and details surrounding the reported strike remained unclear.
The incident came a day after Iranian forces were reported to have fired anti-ship missiles toward vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian media did not provide details about the intended targets or report any damage resulting from those alleged attacks.
The Strait of Hormuz has become a major focus of the confrontation between Iran and the United States because of its importance to global energy shipments. A significant portion of the world’s oil supply passes through the waterway, making any disruption a potential threat to international energy markets.
The latest escalation follows the resumption of fighting between the two countries last Sunday. US forces carried out strikes against Iranian rocket launchers in the Strait, saying they were responding to an immediate threat posed by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
US Central Command said it had taken “limited, precise action” against IRGC forces involved in laying naval mines. American officials said those activities represented an “imminent threat” to shipping through the waterway.
The IRGC confirmed that strikes had hit Larak Island and vowed to respond. Iranian forces later launched attacks against US military bases elsewhere in the Middle East.
US Central Command carried out another series of strikes on Tuesday. It said the targets included IRGC air defence systems, mine-laying equipment, radar installations, maritime facilities, communications sites and other military infrastructure.
CENTCOM said those operations were carried out in response to what it described as recent attempted attacks by the IRGC against commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
The reported tanker incident adds another layer of uncertainty to an already volatile situation. With no immediate confirmation from Washington or Tehran, the circumstances surrounding the vessel, the nature of the reported strike and any possible damage remain subject to further investigation.
The developments are being closely watched by energy markets and shipping companies, given the Strait’s central role in global oil and fuel transportation.
