Iranian state media reported on Saturday morning that a US strike hit an Iranian oil tanker near Kharg Island, a key export terminal in the Persian Gulf. The reports, which have not been independently verified, said multiple explosions were heard and the crew was being evacuated, with no casualties reported so far.
Neither US nor Iranian officials have commented publicly on the incident. The reported strike comes a day after Tehran allegedly launched anti-ship missiles toward vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, though Iranian media gave no details on targets or damage.
Escalation in the Strait
The incident marks the latest escalation in a conflict that resumed last Sunday, when US forces struck Iranian rocket launchers in the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic chokepoint through which about a fifth of global oil passes. US Central Command (CENTCOM) described its action as "limited, precise" and aimed at Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) minelaying forces that it said posed an "imminent threat" to shipping.
The IRGC confirmed that its positions on Larak Island had been hit and vowed retaliation. It subsequently launched attacks on US bases across the Middle East, including in Kuwait and the UAE, as reported by Iranian strikes on US bases.
On Tuesday, CENTCOM carried out another wave of strikes targeting what it said were IRGC air defense sites, mine-laying capabilities, radar systems, maritime assets, and communications facilities.
The Strait of Hormuz has been at the centre of negotiations between Washington and Tehran since the Iran war began in late February. The waterway is vital not only for Iran's oil exports but also for those of its Gulf neighbours, and any disruption would have immediate global energy market repercussions.
European governments, which have been closely monitoring the conflict, have repeatedly called for restraint. The EU has maintained a diplomatic channel with Tehran, and several member states, including France and Germany, have urged both sides to avoid actions that could lead to a broader regional war.
The reported tanker strike, if confirmed, would mark a significant escalation in the direct targeting of commercial shipping. Earlier this year, the arrest of a tanker captain in the Marmara Sea highlighted the risks facing maritime traffic in the region, though that incident was unrelated to the Iran conflict.
Iran's economy has been under severe strain from sanctions and the conflict. The Iranian rial recently plunged to a record low, reflecting the deepening crisis. The reported strike on the tanker could further destabilize the region and complicate any diplomatic efforts.
As of now, there has been no official confirmation from Washington or Tehran. The situation remains fluid, and European observers will be watching closely for any developments that could affect energy supplies or regional security.
