Kharg Island incident follows renewed strikes, shipping tensions, regional unrest.
Iranian Oil Tanker Reportedly Hit by US Projectiles Near Kharg Island
An Iranian oil tanker was reportedly hit by four US projectiles near the strategically important Kharg Island on Saturday, September 5, according to Iranian media, as tensions between Washington and Tehran once again spilled into a key area for regional energy supplies.
No casualties were reported in the incident. Local reports said the vessel’s crew had started evacuating after the reported strike. Iranian authorities, however, had not immediately confirmed that the tanker was attacked by the United States.
The incident began with reports of explosions around Kharg Island earlier on Saturday. Fars News Agency said its correspondent heard several blasts from the Persian Gulf but did not see smoke rising from the area. At that stage, the cause of the explosions was still unclear.
Later, state-affiliated Nournews, citing local sources, reported that a tanker near the island had been targeted by a US missile. Asr Iran reported that four projectiles struck the vessel while it was being unloaded.
Mehr News Agency said the tanker was anchored roughly six miles from Kharg Island when the incident occurred. Authorities were reportedly assessing the damage and trying to establish exactly what had happened.
Iran’s Student News Network separately described the vessel as a small oil tanker and also reported that there were no casualties.
Kharg Island’s importanceThe location of the reported attack makes the incident particularly significant. Kharg Island is the heart of Iran’s crude oil export infrastructure and serves as the country’s main oil export terminal.
The island is estimated to handle around 90 to 95 per cent of Iran’s oil exports. Any serious disruption in the area could therefore affect not only Iran’s ability to sell and transport crude but also wider energy markets.
The reported incident comes only days after US President Donald Trump raised the possibility of taking action against Kharg Island as tensions with Iran increased.
A direct disruption to the island could have far-reaching consequences at a time when global markets are already watching developments around the Gulf closely.
Shipping tensions growThe reported tanker strike also comes amid growing pressure on commercial shipping in and around the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important energy corridors.
The latest confrontation follows months of military tensions that began after US and Israeli attacks on Iran on February 28. Tehran subsequently launched missile and drone attacks against Israel and US interests across the region.
Since then, commercial vessels operating around the Gulf have faced a more uncertain environment. Any further escalation could make shipping companies more cautious and potentially increase concerns over oil supplies, insurance costs and transportation routes.
Maritime tracking service TankerTrackers reported that it had identified at least 17 crude oil and gas ship-to-ship transfers in the Gulf of Oman on Friday. The transfers involved an estimated 24 million barrels of crude.
For now, questions remain over the exact circumstances surrounding the reported tanker strike, including the extent of the damage and whether the United States was responsible. But the incident highlights how quickly military tensions can reach the region’s vital energy infrastructure.
An Iranian oil tanker was reportedly hit by four US projectiles near Kharg Island.
The incident was reported on Saturday, September 5 .
No casualties were reported.
The tanker’s crew reportedly began evacuating.
Iranian authorities had not immediately confirmed the attack.
Kharg Island handles an estimated 90–95% of Iran’s oil exports .
The reported incident could have implications for regional energy markets.
Tensions have also increased around the Strait of Hormuz .
TankerTrackers reported 17 ship-to-ship transfers in the Gulf of Oman.
Those transfers involved an estimated 24 million barrels of crude .
The exact circumstances and responsibility for the reported strike remain unclear.