US Strikes Iranian Oil Tankers Near Kharg Island and Jask

DUBAI, Sep 8:  US forces have struck Iranian oil tankers near Kharg Island and Jask as part of a broader campaign aimed at disrupting Iran’s crude oil exports, according to Iranian and US media reports.

IRGC-affiliated Tasnim news agency reported that a small Iranian oil tanker was hit by a US missile about four miles from Kharg Island on Tuesday. The vessel was reportedly in an anchorage area when it was struck by a projectile fired by US forces.

Tasnim said there were no reported casualties and that the tanker’s crew was being evacuated. The extent of the damage was not immediately known, while Iranian authorities were investigating the incident.

Separately, Fox News, citing senior US officials, reported that the US military had targeted Iranian vessels near Kharg Island and the port city of Jask. The officials said the strikes were part of a broader US effort to increase economic pressure on Tehran by targeting its ability to export crude oil.

According to the report, the US strategy includes sinking or disabling Iranian crude oil tankers. Kharg Island, located in the Persian Gulf, is Iran’s main oil export hub, while Jask on the Gulf of Oman serves as an alternative outlet for Iranian crude outside the Strait of Hormuz.

Iranian state media outlet Student News Network (SNN) also reported that a second Iranian vessel was struck near Kharg Island, but provided no further details.

The reports could not immediately be independently verified, and details of the damage and the circumstances surrounding the reported strikes remained unclear.