Iranian oil tanker hit by missile near Kharg Island

An Iranian oil tanker was hit by multiple missiles, believed to be from the US, while operating near Kharg Island, Tehran's oil export gateway.

Iran's Tasnim news agency reported today that the oil tanker was hit by four US missiles in the anchorage area off the coast of Kharg island and the sailors are being evacuated. The incident caused no casualties.

Fars news agency said its reporters heard an explosion near Kharg Island, but did not see smoke rising, indicating that the tanker was not on fire. The oil tanker was hit about 10 km from Kharg Island.

Central Command (CENTCOM), the agency in charge of operations of US forces in the Middle East, has not commented on the above information. This is the first time an oil tanker has been attacked near Kharg Island after many months of fighting.

US President Donald Trump on August 31 posted on social networks with a video created by AI, saying that Kharg Island would be "blown to pieces". Iranian officials announced that they would respond fiercely if Kharg Island was attacked.

Iran is the third largest producer in the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC). Before the US and Israel launched the war against Iran, 90% of the country's crude oil exports were transported through Kharg Island. However, export activities have been interrupted since the US began imposing a blockade in mid-April.

Mr. Trump announced in June that he wanted to control Kharg Island, but later said that the US is no longer considering the possibility of launching a military campaign against this island. A few days later, Tehran and Washington signed a temporary agreement to end hostilities.

A US attack on Kharg Island would put more pressure on Iran's oil industry and economy in general, which is already reeling due to Washington's naval blockade.

Fighting between the two sides flared up again on August 30, when the US launched an air strike on Iran, causing Tehran to launch retaliatory attacks against Washington's targets in the Middle East.

Iran on September 3 said that its armed forces had launched missiles and UAVs to attack US military bases in Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and announced that they would pay in full for the airstrike targeting a wedding that killed four civilians, which Tehran accused of being caused by Washington.

The two sides also continue to gain control of the Strait of Hormuz. Iran prevents ships from passing through, while Washington maintains a naval blockade of Iranian ports.