Satellite imagery shows an apparent oil slick as big as the island itself.
But the Pentagon has declined to comment on whether it has targeted the island from which most of Iran‘s oil is exported.
This satellite image provided by European Space Agency shows an apparent oil spill in the Persian Gulf off the western side of Kharg Island. (AP)
With Iran and the US exchanging fire in the Persian Gulf, it is unlikely the spill will be cleaned up any time soon.
Because Iran’s coastline is too shallow for massive tankers, 90 per cent of Iran’s oil is exported via Kharg Island.
Oil is transported from the mainland to the island for supertankers to take out of the country. The terminal is able to load ten supertankers at once.
Meanwhile, the US has struck two Iranian oil tankers.
Kharg Island is Iran’s main crude oil export terminal. (AP)
In a statement, US Central Command said they had disabled the two vessels as they entered an Iranian port.
The ships were struck in their smokestacks by a F/A-18 Super Hornet.
“US forces in the Middle East remain committed to full enforcement of the blockade of vessels entering or leaving Iran,” Admiral Brad Cooper said.
“Our highly trained men and women in uniform are doing incredible work.”
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi condemned the attack.
“Every time a diplomatic solution is on the table, the US opts for a reckless military adventure,” Araghchi said in a statement.
“Is it a crude pressure tactic? Or the result of a spoiler once again duping POTUS (the President of the United States) into another quagmire?”
Araghchi said in his statement that Iran’s missile inventory and launcher capacity was up 20 per cent from the beginning of the war.
Donald Trump said a ceasefire remains in place despite both sides exchanging fire. (AP)Donald Trump meanwhile has insisted the ceasefire remains in place.
Meanwhile, the United Arab Emirates has reported another missile and drone attack overnight.
The UAE’s Defence Ministry said three people were wounded by three drones and two missiles fired from Iran.
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