Blasts were heard in unidentified locations close to Iran’s Kharg Island in the Persian Gulf, which is an important maritime port. The incident – which included a possible attack on an Iranian tanker – has brought further tension to the region’s biggest oil export terminal.

Witnesses in the area reported hearing blasts, but there was no smoke nor any immediate damage to the structures on the island visible from shore. The location of the explosions has not been confirmed, but Iranian media has stated that a domestic tanker was being deliberately attacked by the U.S. Department of Defense. This Kharg Island plant is an important economic asset for Tehran, with the vast majority of the country’s seaborne crude exports, a dynamic that is monitored regularly by the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

The attack on an oil tanker is a new danger to the world’s shipping lanes. The clash between two ships, one military and the other civilian, and engaged in an armed confrontation, is a red flag for all maritime regulators around the world, including the International Maritime Organization (IMO), which is constantly monitoring maritime safety and navigation.

An attack on Kharg Island would be a significant step forward in the ongoing conflict. The Central Command of the United States is the one to do everything regarding military operations and strategical issues in the Persian Gulf. The command employs the U.S. Navy to show people the power of the United States in the Middle East waters. There have been no statements from the U.S. authorities regarding their involvement in the explosion.