Trump says Iran’s Kharg is being ‘blown to smithereens’, but gives no details

The United States recently launched its first strikes against Iran since late July, targeting two Iranian rocket launchers on an unnamed island. President Donald Trump stated that the attack on Kharg Island, a crucial energy hub responsible for handling 90% of Iran's oil exports prior to the war initiated by US and Israeli actions on February 28, appears to be causing significant damage.

Kharg Island's destruction would severely disrupt Iran's energy trade and potentially exert substantial pressure on its economy. However, the President did not provide any further details regarding the extent of the damage.

The White House and the US Defense Department have not yet responded to inquiries regarding this matter. Moreover, a video clip depicting explosions around Kharg Island was later confirmed to have been generated artificially, utilizing software capable of detecting AI-manipulated imagery.

Iran, in response to the initial US assault on rocket launchers on its Larak Island, approximately 660 kilometers east of Kharg Island, retaliated by launching an attack on two US bases in Jordan, according to Iranian media reports. This escalation follows weeks of heightened tensions as the Trump administration intensified economic sanctions against Tehran and its business partners, shifting away from military options.

The US Treasury Secretary, Scott Bessent, informed Reuters that additional secondary sanctions would likely be imposed weekly, primarily targeting banks. Bessent also hinted at the possibility of cutting an institution off from the dollar-based financial system, beginning with the UAE branches of Egypt's Banque Misr, which were penalized earlier in the week.

He added that such measures would become increasingly frequent, with the next step potentially targeting an entire institution from the dollar-based financial system. Bessent made these remarks ahead of a meeting between Group of 20 finance leaders.