The U.S. military conducted its first strikes against three Iranian oil tankers, escalating the conflict in the Strait of Hormuz from 'attacking facilities' to 'disrupting transportation'.

This week, the U.S.-Iran military conflict underwent a qualitative shift: for the first time, U.S. strikes targeted not coastal military installations and infrastructure—but oil tankers actively engaged in crude oil transportation. As a result, the risk of supply disruption in the Strait of Hormuz has moved from theoretical expectation toward tangible reality, forcing a fundamental reassessment of global crude oil pricing logic. According to CCTV International News, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) issued a statement on September 5 stating: "Following ballistic missile launches by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) against two U.S. naval vessels operating in regional waters, CENTCOM forces struck three Iranian crude oil transport vessels." CENTCOM subsequently released a strongly worded statement: "We will not hesitate to defend U.S. forces—and, if necessary, will destroy Iran’s limited and exposed oil tanker fleet." This marks the first time since the current round of conflict erupted in February that the U.S. military has designated actively sailing crude oil transport vessels as strike targets—signaling a formal escalation from "striking production capacity and facilities" to "striking transportation corridors." Market attention has thus pivoted from "how much will Iran’s output decline?" to "can the Strait remain safely navigable?", placing upward pressure on both oil price and maritime insurance pricing frameworks. Earlier the same day, Iranian media reported that an oil tanker near Kharg Island had reportedly been struck by a U.S. missile, with evacuation efforts underway and no casualties reported so far. The previous day, Tehran was reportedly also firing anti-ship missiles at vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz. Such concentrated actions targeting maritime traffic lines continue to push up regional shipping risk premiums, subjecting the Strait of Hormuz to its most severe security test since the outbreak of the conflict. A qualitative shift in strike targets: from destroying facilities to targeting oil tankers Over the past week, U.S. strikes have focused on IRGC air defense positions, mine-laying facilities, radar systems, maritime assets, communications sites, and ground infrastructure at key petroleum export hubs—including Larak Island and Kharg Island. Last Sunday, CENTCOM carried out a "limited and precise operation" against Iranian mine-laying units inside the Strait; on Tuesday, it launched another round of strikes against IRGC air defense positions and mine-laying facilities. Striking three actively sailing crude oil tankers directly extends the targeting scope from static military assets to dynamic transport vehicles. The U.S. side stated the trigger was Iran’s ballistic missile launch against two U.S. Navy warships. CENTCOM’s public warning—"we will destroy Iran’s oil tanker fleet if necessary"—further signals Washington’s intent to treat Iran’s energy export capability itself as a legitimate target.

U.S.-Iran tensions in the Strait of Hormuz persist; Iran claims U.S. missiles struck oil tankers near Kharg Island.

Iranian media reported that the attacked tanker was located within the anchorage area of Kharg Island. CCTV cited Iranian sources stating the strike occurred approximately four nautical miles from Kharg Island, with crew members currently evacuating and no casualties reported so far. Fox News reported that U.S. forces struck multiple targets around Kharg Island, including several Iranian oil tankers. This report dovetails with recent military incidents near Kharg Island. On Saturday, September 5, reports emerged of explosions heard near Kharg Island; U.S. Central Command later confirmed it had struck three Iranian oil tankers—including one positioned near Kharg Island. The U.S. side stated the strikes followed earlier ballistic missile attacks by the IRGC against two U.S. Navy vessels. It was further reported that the U.S. accused the three targeted Iranian oil tankers of financing the IRGC and its regional proxies. Thus, if Iran’s latest claim of an attack is independently verified, it would indicate that the military confrontation between the two sides over Iranian oil transportation and shipping in the Strait of Hormuz remains ongoing. Iranian military announces capture of advanced U.S. unmanned submarine Just before news of the tanker strikes surfaced, Iran released a development carrying even greater military significance. According to CCTV News, on September 8, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy issued a statement declaring that its forces had, at dawn that day, successfully captured an advanced U.S. military unmanned submarine in the entrance to the Strait of Hormuz through a "complex intelligence and operational operation," adding that related photographs would be released within hours. Iranian media continued reporting on this incident thereafter. However, the U.S. side offered a markedly different account of the so-called "capture." Some U.S. media outlets, citing CENTCOM, described the device under Iranian control as a malfunctioning, non-classified unmanned underwater vehicle—not the advanced military submarine claimed by Iran. This means that, amid back-to-back incidents involving tanker strikes and the unmanned submersible, the military rivalry between the U.S. and Iran in the Strait of Hormuz and surrounding waters is intensifying further. Kharg Island has become a focal point of the U.S.-Iran conflict Kharg Island draws exceptional market attention not only because it serves as a major Iranian oil export hub, but also because it functions as a critical barometer for whether Iranian crude can continue entering international markets. Previous reports indicated Kharg Island is Iran’s primary oil export terminal—accounting for roughly 90% of its crude exports. With the U.S. enforcing maritime interdiction and Strait of Hormuz shipping disrupted, Iranian oil exports have already suffered clear interference. In recent days, market concerns over whether the conflict will further impact Iranian oil export infrastructure have visibly intensified. Although Middle Eastern oil supplies were severely disturbed this week, Brent crude prices had yet to breach $100 per barrel—attributable to continued, albeit reduced, oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, Gulf producers’ use of alternative export routes, and increased output from non-OPEC producers such as the United States, Canada, and Guyana.

Three Oil Tankers Hit by Projectiles in Strait of Hormuz, Marisks Says

1 day ago

Three Liberian-flagged oil tankers were struck by unknown projectiles while transiting the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday, according to shipping intelligence service Marisks. The vessels had their AIS transponders turned off, and managers declined to comment on the incident.

reuters

2026-09-30

Three Oil Tankers Hit by Projectiles in Strait of Hormuz, Marisks Says

Three Oil Tankers Hit by Projectiles in Strait of Hormuz, Marisks Says

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