Iran accused the United States of striking an Iranian tanker near the country's main oil export hub of Kharg Island in the Persian Gulf on Saturday, raising fresh concerns about an escalation in the conflict between Tehran and Washington.
The semi-official Tasnim news agency, citing a correspondent near Kharg, reported that the tanker was hit by four U.S. missiles near the island's anchorage, about 6 miles (10 kilometers) from the coast. The crew was being evacuated and there were no reported casualties, Tasnim said.
Other Iranian media outlets also reported explosions near Kharg Island, but details about the incident remained unclear. The semi-official Fars news agency said explosions were heard in the area but that there was no visible smoke and the source of the blasts was unknown.
State-affiliated Nournews reported unconfirmed information from local sources that an Iranian tanker had been hit by a U.S. missile near Kharg. The Asr Iran news site said the tanker had been struck by four projectiles and was being unloaded.
There was no immediate independent confirmation of the reports. Iranian authorities had not issued a formal statement, while U.S. Central Command did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
