Iranian state media on Tuesday reported that US forces had struck two Iranian oil tankers, as the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy warned tanker crews near Kuwaiti and Bahraini ports to leave
their vessels immediately.
The first tanker was reportedly hit by a US missile about four miles from Kharg Island, a major Iranian oil export hub in the Gulf. Tasnim news agency said there were no casualties.
A second tanker was later hit near the Yekbani coast off Jask port, according to Iranian state broadcaster IRIB. Its crew was safely evacuated shortly after the attack.
IRGC issues warning near Kuwait, Bahrain
Following the reported strikes, the IRGC warned crews of oil tankers in the vicinity of Kuwaiti and Bahraini ports to immediately leave their vessels.
In a message carried by state broadcaster IRIB, the force urged crews to evacuate whether their tankers were anchored or docked.
“We warn all crews aboard oil tankers in the vicinity of ports in Kuwait and Bahrain — which host these (American) terrorists and are partners in their hostile actions — to immediately leave their vessels, whether they are at anchor or docked at the ports, as the vessels will be targeted,” IRIB quoted the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as saying.
Multiple blasts reported
Earlier, Iranian media reported several explosions in waters surrounding Kharg Island.
Mehr news agency said several blasts were heard in parts of the island, but did not immediately provide details on their cause or the extent of any damage.
Two explosions were also reported in Jask, a southern Iranian port city near the Strait of Hormuz.
State-linked Fars news agency said the blasts were heard at around 9:45 pm local time. It cited local sources as saying the explosions came from the direction of the sea near the Sang-e Siah area and occurred in two stages, a short time apart.
There were no immediate reports of casualties from the blasts in Jask.
US official confirms strike
Meanwhile, an unnamed US official told Israel-based news outlet i24NEWS that the United States was currently launching strikes on Iranian oil tankers.
The reported strikes came shortly after Iranian Armed Forces Chief of Staff Ali Abdollahi warned that Iran would target US bases in the region if Iranian oil tankers were attacked.
Iranian state TV quoted Abdollahi as saying the US military had issued an evacuation warning to Iranian oil tankers before striking them.
He warned that any attack on Iranian oil tankers would lead to Iranian strikes on US bases in the region.
“The US aggressor army has given Iranian oil tankers an evacuation warning to hit them, so I announce that any attack on Iranian oil tankers will result in the targeting of US bases in the region by the armed forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran,” Abdollahi said.
