DUBAI: An Iranian tanker was hit by US forces on Saturday (Sep 5) close to Iran’s key oil export hub, Kharg Island, within the Gulf, the semi-official Iranian information company Tasnim reported.
In keeping with a Tasnim correspondent from Kharg, the tanker was hit by 4 US missiles within the space of Kharg Island’s anchorage.
Tasnim quoted native sources as saying there have been no casualties and the tanker’s crew was being evacuated.
There was no speedy official announcement by Iranian authorities and US Central Command didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark.
US President Donald Trump stated on Aug 31 in a one-line social media put up accompanied by an AI-generated video that Kharg Island was being “blown to smithereens”. Iranian authorities have vowed a powerful response if Kharg Island is attacked.
Iran is the third-largest producer within the Group of the Petroleum Exporting International locations and exported 90 per cent of its crude through Kharg Island earlier than the conflict, however flows have been disrupted since a US blockade of Iranian oil exports started in mid-April.
Trump stated on Jun 11 that he wished to take over Kharg Island, however then stated a threatened US navy operation there was off the desk for now, days earlier than Tehran and Washington signed an interim settlement geared toward ending the conflict on Jun 17.
A US assault on Kharg would heap additional strain on Iran’s oil business and its wider economic system, which is already reeling from the US naval blockade.
The US imposed its blockade on Iranian ports after Iran successfully shut the Strait of Hormuz, a key waterway that carried one-fifth of the world’s oil provide earlier than the conflict.
