US missile reportedly hits Iranian oil tanker near Kharg Island

ABU DHABI, Sep 5: A US missile struck an Iranian oil tanker near Kharg Island on Saturday, Iranian media reported, citing preliminary information.

Iran’s Student News Agency (ISNA) reported that the vessel was a “small vessel” and said there were no casualties.

Kharg Island is a critical hub for Iran’s oil exports and handles the vast majority of the country’s crude shipments.

The reported strike comes amid heightened tensions between Washington and Tehran following US-Israeli military action against Iran that began on February 28. Iran has responded with missile and drone attacks targeting Israel and US interests across the region.

US President Donald Trump has previously threatened to take control of Kharg Island, underscoring its strategic importance to Iran’s energy exports.

Washington and Tehran signed a memorandum of understanding on June 18 concerning freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz. However, implementation has reportedly stalled amid disagreements over security arrangements in the strategic waterway.

The reported tanker strike has not been independently verified, and further details about the incident, including the vessel’s identity and the circumstances of the strike, remain unclear.