US Strikes Three Iranian Oil Tankers

United States forces struck three Iranian oil tankers yesterday, the  U.S. ​Central Command said, including one off the coast of Kharg Island, near Iran’s key oil export hub.

The strikes ‌were carried out after Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps launched ballistic missiles at two U.S. Navy ships, Central Command said.

The third-largest producer in the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting ‌Countries, Iran exported 90% of its crude via Kharg Island before the war, but flows from Kharg have been disrupted since a U.S. blockade of Iranian oil exports began in mid-April.

The island handled 90% of Iran’s oil exports before the war started on February 28. Seizing it ​would severely disrupt Iran’s energy trade and place enormous pressure on Tehran’s economy. Iran is the third largest producer in the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries.

U.S. forces carried out strikes ​against Kharg in March and April, and Trump said they “totally obliterated” all military targets there and said they could next target ​oil infrastructure. U.S. officials told Reuters at the time the administration was weighing whether to send ground forces to the island, opens new tab.

Kharg has not been attacked since then, though the United States has targeted oil tankers near the island as it maintains a blockade on Iranian ports.