Hours after claiming that US forces "totally obliterated" Iran's key oil hub at Kharg Island, US President Donald Trump on Saturday (local time) shared an aerial video showing bombs being dropped on ground targets.
Sharing a post on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump released "unclassified" footage of US strikes on Iran. The black-and-white clip, carried an "unclassified" watermark and showed multiple explosions and thick smoke rising from several locations after bombs were dropped.
However, Trump did not provide a caption with the video, making it unclear whether the footage specifically showed the strikes on Kharg Island.
According to RT news, the video shared by Trump included footage of the strike on Kharg Island Iran's main oil export hub located about 30 kilometres off the mainland.
The island handles nearly 90% of Iran's crude exports, according to a recent note by JPMorgan.
Trump claims major bombing raid
Earlier, Trump announced the attack in a post on Truth Social saying US forces had carried out a major operation against Iranian targets.
"Moments ago, at my direction, the United States Central Command executed one of the most powerful bombing raids in the History of the Middle East, and totally obliterated every MILITARY target in Iran’s crown jewel, Kharg Island," he wrote.
However, Trump said the United States had deliberately avoided striking the island’s oil infrastructure.
"Our Weapons are the most powerful and sophisticated that the World has ever known but, for reasons of decency, I have chosen NOT to wipe out the Oil Infrastructure on the Island. However, should Iran, or anyone else, do anything to interfere with the Free and Safe Passage of Ships through the Strait of Hormuz, I will immediately reconsider this decision," he said.
Trump also warned Iran against escalating the conflict stating, "Iran has NO ability to defend anything that we want to attack . There is nothing they can do about it! Iran will NEVER have a nuclear weapon, nor will it have the ability to threaten the United States of America, the Middle East or, for that matter, the World! Iran’s Military, and all others involved with this Terrorist Regime, would be wise to lay down their arms, and save what’s left of their country, which isn’t much! Thank you for your attention to this matter."
Trump had even earlier threatened to target Kharg Island's oil infrastructure if Iran blocked shipping through the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a key global energy route through which about a fifth of the world’s crude oil and liquefied natural gas normally passes.
Iran confirms strikes but denies oil damage
Iranian media also confirmed that Kharg Island had been targeted in airstrikes earlier on Friday. Local sources said more than 15 explosions were heard across the island, with thick smoke rising from several areas.
However, Iranian reports said that "despite the intensity of the blasts, none of the island’s oil infrastructure was damaged."
No further details about casualties or additional damage were released.
Earlier, US defence secretary Pete Hegseth said the scale of strikes carried out since the war began had been significant. He said more than 15,000 enemy targets had been hit so far, averaging over 1,000 strikes per day.
Hegseth also downplayed concerns about potential disruptions to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz saying that, "We have been dealing with it and don't need to worry about it."
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