Explosions Heard Near Kharg Island After US Missile Targets Iranian Tanker: Report
Explosions were heard near Iran’s Kharg Island on Saturday, September 5, as Iranian media reported that a small Iranian oil tanker had been struck by U.S. missiles near the strategically important Gulf island. The reports come amid renewed military tensions between Washington and Tehran.
Iranian media reports said the tanker was hit by four projectiles. The vessel was reportedly damaged, but there were no immediate reports of casualties, and the crew was being evacuated.
Earlier, Iran’s semi-official Fars news agency reported that several explosions had been heard from the Gulf near Kharg Island. A correspondent on the island reportedly heard the blasts but said there was no visible smoke.
The exact circumstances surrounding the incident remained unclear. Iranian authorities had not immediately issued a detailed official statement, while there was no immediate response from U.S. Central Command confirming the reported tanker strike.
Kharg Island is one of Iran’s most strategically important energy facilities and has historically handled the overwhelming majority of the country’s crude oil exports. Any disruption around the island could therefore have significant consequences for Iran’s oil industry and international energy markets.
The reported attack comes days after U.S.-Iran tensions intensified again. President Donald Trump had recently issued threats concerning Kharg Island, including a social-media post claiming the island was being “blown to smithereens,” although earlier claims of an attack on the oil hub were not independently confirmed.
The latest incident also follows months of confrontation involving U.S. efforts to restrict Iranian oil exports and maritime traffic. U.S. forces have previously intercepted or disabled vessels attempting to reach Iranian ports under the American blockade.
The reported tanker strike could further increase tensions in the Persian Gulf, particularly because Kharg Island sits close to the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a vital route for global energy shipments.
For now, details about the tanker’s identity, the extent of the damage and whether the strike was part of a broader U.S. military operation remain subject to confirmation.
