The US military confirmed it attacked three Iran-linked oil tankers on Saturday, acting in response to Tehran targeting two American warships in the area. US Central Command (Centcom) stated that it had permanently disabled two of the vessels, including one near Kharg Island, and completely destroyed a third tanker in the Gulf of Oman.
In response, Iran’s state media confirmed the strikes and cited a military spokesperson warning of more severe reprisals if Washington continues its attacks. The incident marks a continued escalation in fighting between the two sides over the past week, with little progress toward ending the six-month conflict.
According to Iranian state media outlet Irib, there were no casualties reported from the attack on the tanker near Kharg Island. Footage suggested that the vessel’s cooling system extinguished the fire within an hour. Kharg Island is critical to Iran’s economy, serving as the main terminal for crude oil exports, with approximately 90% of the country’s oil passing through it via pipelines from the mainland.
Irib also reported that crews aboard the two tankers attacked in the Gulf of Oman were rescued and taken to shore in lifeboats. One of those vessels was empty, while the other was carrying a load of oil at the time of the strike.
Kharg Island is crucial for Iran’s economy. Hitting it signals a major escalation in this ongoing conflict.
No casualties reported is a relief, but the threat of further reprisals makes this situation far from stable.