The US military struck an unladen oil tanker with missiles in what the BBC reports is the first such action as Washington enforces a new blockade. The US said the vessel was heading for Iran's Kharg island oil terminal.
Live updates
Loading updates…
Key facts
- The US military struck an oil tanker with missiles, according to the BBC.
- The tanker was unladen at the time of the strike, according to the US.
- The US said the vessel was heading for the Iranian oil terminal on Kharg island.
- The BBC described the strike as the first as the US enforces a new blockade.
- Details on casualties, damage and Iran's response were not available in the source.
The US military has struck an oil tanker with missiles, in what the BBC has described as the first such action as Washington enforces a new blockade.
The US said the vessel it targeted was an unladen oil tanker heading for the Iranian oil terminal on Kharg island, according to the BBC. Unladen means the tanker was not carrying oil at the time it was struck.
At this stage the available details are limited to confirmation that a strike took place, the reported nature of the tanker, and its stated destination. Information on casualties, the extent of any damage, and any response from Iranian authorities was not available in the source.
Honest Abe News could not independently verify the account, which is attributed to the US and reported by the BBC.
Why it matters
The reported strike is described as the first carried out by the US under a new blockade affecting shipping linked to Iran. Its wider consequences remain unclear pending further information.
Frequently asked questions
What did the US military strike?
According to the BBC, the US military targeted an unladen oil tanker with missiles.
Where was the tanker heading?
The US said the tanker was heading for the key Iranian oil terminal on Kharg island, the BBC reported.
Was the tanker carrying oil?
No. The US described the tanker as unladen at the time of the strike, meaning it was not carrying oil.
Timeline
- Marines board tanker amid blockade of Iranian ports as US expands strikes with attacks on bridges
The Guardian World: Boarding of M/T Wen Yao in Gulf of Oman comes as expanded airstrike campaign hits five bridges in southern Iran American forces boarded a ship in the Gulf of Oman on Thursday as part of the renewed blockade of Iran’s ports that began earlier this week, the US military said. US Ma
- US strikes first tanker with missiles as it enforces new blockade
BBC World: The US military targeted an unladen oil tanker which it said was heading for the key Iranian oil terminal on Kharg island.