US President Donald Trump on Saturday shared a video on his Truth Social account showing aerial strikes after American forces bombed military targets on Kharg Island, escalating tensions in the ongoing conflict with Iran.
The minute-long black-and-white clip posted by Trump shows bombs being dropped on multiple ground targets, followed by thick clouds of smoke rising from the impact sites. The footage carried an “unclassified” watermark but did not include a caption confirming whether it was directly from the Kharg Island operation.
The video was shared hours after Trump announced that the United States Central Command (CENTCOM) carried out what he described as one of the most powerful bombing raids in the region.
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“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,” Trump wrote on social media.
Iran reports multiple explosions on Kharg Island
Iranian media outlets reported heavy explosions during the strike.
According to Fars News Agency, more than 15 explosions were heard across Kharg Island as US forces targeted military infrastructure including air defence systems, a naval base and airport facilities. Kharg Island is a crucial energy hub for Iran and handles a large share of the country’s crude oil exports, making it strategically important in the ongoing confrontation between Washington and Tehran.
Despite the scale of the attack, Trump said the United States deliberately avoided targeting oil facilities located on the island.
“I have chosen NOT to wipe out the oil infrastructure on the island,” he said.
Warning over Strait of Hormuz
Trump also warned Iran against interfering with shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the most critical maritime chokepoints for global energy supplies.
The narrow waterway carries a significant portion of the world’s oil shipments, and any disruption could trigger sharp fluctuations in global energy markets. Trump indicated that the US decision to spare Iran’s oil infrastructure could change if Tehran attempted to block shipping through the strait.
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Iran threatens retaliation
Iran responded sharply to the strike, warning that it would target oil infrastructure linked to the United States if its own energy facilities were attacked.
In a statement cited by Iranian media, the Al‑Anbiya Central Headquarters said oil and energy infrastructure connected to companies cooperating with the United States would be destroyed if Iran’s facilities were targeted. The threat highlights the risk of further escalation in the conflict, which has already triggered missile attacks, drone strikes and heightened military deployments across the Gulf region.
