Washington— US President Donald Trump announced Friday that American forces carried out a major bombing raid on Iran’s Kharg Island, destroying all military targets on the strategic Persian Gulf hub while deliberately sparing its vital oil infrastructure.
In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump described the operation as “one of the most powerful bombing raids in the History of the Middle East,” saying US Central Command had “totally obliterated every MILITARY target” on the island, which he called Iran’s “crown jewel.”
Kharg Island, located about 25 kilometres (15 miles) off Iran’s southwestern coast, serves as the primary export terminal for roughly 90 percent of the country’s crude oil shipments.
Trump emphasised that oil facilities were left intact “for reasons of decency,” but issued a stark warning to Tehran. “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 wrote.
The strike comes amid escalating US-Israel military operations against Iran, now in its second week, with Tehran accused of blocking shipping lanes in the Strait of Hormuz — a chokepoint for global oil flows — through attacks on vessels and related disruptions.
Trump accompanied his announcement with footage purportedly showing the airstrikes, though independent verification of the video’s contents and timing was not immediately possible.
The Pentagon has not yet provided detailed confirmation of the operation or its outcomes, including any reported casualties or damage assessments on the Iranian side.
Iran has previously warned that strikes on its energy infrastructure, including Kharg Island, would provoke severe retaliation and could dramatically escalate the conflict.
Oil markets reacted with volatility to the news, as traders weighed the risk of further disruptions to Iranian supplies against the president’s decision to avoid direct hits on export terminals.
The announcement follows intensified US and Israeli airstrikes across Iran, including recent heavy bombardments in Tehran and other areas, as the war approaches the two-week mark with no clear end in sight.