The U.S. military said Saturday it struck three Iranian oil tankers, according to a statement released by the Pentagon. The strikes came after the U.S. accused Iran of targeting American warships in the region.
Iranian state television reported that four U.S. missiles hit a tanker approximately six miles (10 kilometers) from Kharg Island in the Persian Gulf. The Iranian broadcaster said the crew was being evacuated and that there were no casualties. The report did not provide evidence of the strike or include statements from Iranian officials.
The U.S. military said in its statement that the three Iranian tankers were part of a shadow network that helps fund Iran's Revolutionary Guard and its armed proxies operating in the region. U.S. Central Command did not immediately respond to requests for additional comment.
Kharg Island serves as Iran's main oil export terminal and is a strategically important hub for the country's crude shipments. The island has been repeatedly targeted during the U.S.-Iran conflict, including U.S. strikes on military sites there in March.
The exchange marked the first direct military action between the two countries after approximately one month of relative calm in the region. The incident occurred as tensions remain elevated over broader Middle East developments.
Separately, the U.S. ambassador to Israel condemned settler violence in the occupied West Bank. Iranian-backed Houthi rebels accused Yemen's government of killing three people in attacks, while Israeli strikes killed three people in southern Lebanon.