US Navy Strikes Iranian Oil Tankers Near Kharg Island

U.S. military forces conducted strikes against Iranian oil tankers near Kharg Island and the port city of Jask, according to U.S. officials speaking to Fox News. The strikes are part of a broader effort to economically pressure Iran.

In parallel, Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps announced the capture of a U.S. unmanned intelligence submarine near the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian state media released footage of the captured vessel, identified as an advanced Dive-LD autonomous underwater vehicle belonging to the U.S. Navy. The announcement coincided with reports of explosions at a ship anchorage on the strategic oil island of Kharg.

Earlier, the U.S. military had reportedly threatened to attack three Iranian oil tankers. Iran's Khatam al-Anbiya command post stated that Iran's armed forces would retaliate against U.S. bases and interests in the region if any Iranian ships were attacked.

Meanwhile, reports emerged that Iranian oil reserves held in tankers outside the Persian Gulf have significantly dwindled due to a U.S. naval blockade reimposed in mid-July. Iran's oil reserves have fallen from 90 million barrels to 29 million, with projections suggesting they could be depleted by mid-October. Chinese customers are reportedly seeking alternatives, and payments for past shipments may cease by December.

Separately, a report in "Haaretz" revealed that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was warned by UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan a week before October 7th that Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar was planning a major operation. Netanyahu reportedly downplayed the threat, believing Hamas intended to act in the West Bank. This warning was allegedly not shared with other security officials present at the meeting, leading to criticism that a lack of information contributed to the intelligence failure.