US Strikes Iranian Oil Tankers Amid Tensions
A US official confirmed to The Jerusalem Post that CENTCOM is currently striking Iranian oil tankers, in response to explosions reported near Kharg Island.
Kharg Island is Iran's main oil hub, where 90% of the country's oil leaves. According to reports from Iranian media outlets, explosions were heard in the vicinity of the island, which serves as the country's primary point for refining and exporting oil.
The US official stated that CENTCOM is currently striking Iranian oil tankers, but provided no further details on the operation or its objectives.
Iran's Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters (the central command of the Iranian Army) warned the US that if its vessels were struck, it would reply with strikes against American interests in the Middle East. The warning came after a restricted zone was planned to be announced outside the Strait of Hormuz soon, according to Mohsen Rezaei, the Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council.
No casualties were reported as a result of the attacks on the Iranian vessels, and the crew had been evacuated. The targeted vessel was reportedly about four miles from Kharg Island when it was struck.