Iranian tanker hit by US attack near Iran's Kharg Island, Tasnim says - reuters.com
Iranian state media alleges that a U.S. missile strike hit the *Mahan‑12* tanker near Kharg Island, causing limited damage and a minor oil spill. The episode raises fresh concerns over Gulf security and could spark diplomatic efforts to curb further maritime confrontations.
AI Objective Summary
Iranian state media alleges that a U.S. missile strike hit the *Mahan‑12* tanker near Kharg Island, causing limited damage and a minor oil spill. The episode raises fresh concerns over Gulf security and could spark diplomatic efforts to curb further maritime confrontations.
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**Iranian Tanker Hit by US Attack Near Kharg Island, Tasnim Says**
*Tehran, 5 September 2026* – Iranian state‑run news agency Tasnim reported that a civilian oil tanker operating near Iran’s strategic Kharg Island was struck by missiles launched by the United States on Monday afternoon. According to the agency, the vessel, identified as the *Mahan‑12*, sustained damage to its hull and suffered a minor oil spill, though no crew members were injured. The incident was corroborated by eyewitness footage posted on social media and by Al Jazeera, which noted several explosions in the vicinity of the island shortly after the reported strike.
The United States has not officially confirmed the attack, but the episode follows a series of recent U.S. missile strikes on facilities in the Persian Gulf that Washington attributes to Iranian‑backed proxy groups. In a statement released earlier this week, the White House described the earlier strikes as “targeted actions against illicit weapons shipments” and warned that any further escalation would be met with “decisive response.” The latest alleged attack comes amid heightened rhetoric after former President Donald Trump, speaking at a rally, dismissed regional tensions as “small potatoes” and referenced the “Pickaxe Mountain” scenario, a phrase that has been interpreted as a warning of broader military options.
Iranian officials condemned the alleged strike as a violation of international law and an act of aggression against civilian maritime traffic. The Iranian foreign ministry summoned the U.S. chargé d’affaires in Tehran for a protest and called on the United Nations to investigate the incident. Regional shipping companies have issued advisories urging vessels to avoid the waters around Kharg Island, citing the risk of further hostilities. Meanwhile, analysts at The Hindu and Hindustan Times note that the incident could destabilize already fragile Gulf navigation routes, potentially prompting a diplomatic push for a de‑escalation mechanism between the two powers.
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