US strikes Iran's Kharg Island, 'obliterates' military targets, claims Trump
US strikes Iran's Kharg Island, 'obliterates' military targets, claims Trump
United States President Donald Trump has announced a major military operation against Iran's Kharg Island.
In a post on social media platform Truth Social, Trump said the United States Central Command conducted "one of the most powerful bombing raids in the History of the Middle East."
He claimed that all military targets on Kharg Island were "totally obliterated," while the oil infrastructure was left untouched.
US did not destroy Kharg Island's oil infrastructure: Trump
Trump wrote that the US chose not to destroy Kharg Island's oil infrastructure.
"I have chosen NOT to wipe out the Oil Infrastructure on the Island," he stated.
He warned Iran against interfering with international shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, a key maritime route for global energy shipments.
He wrote, "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."
Tensions between US and Iran escalate
The bombing raid comes as tensions between the United States and Iran have reached a boiling point.
Shortly after midnight on Saturday, Iranian state media said the country launched missile strikes on Israel, which activated air defense systems after detecting incoming missiles.
No casualties were reported from these attacks, according to Israeli emergency responders.
In response to the escalating conflict, the US military has ordered 2,500 Marines and an amphibious assault ship to the Middle East.
Cross-border fighting intensifies
On Friday, France 24 reported that a large explosion had occurred in a central square in Tehran, where thousands had gathered for an annual state-organized rally that supports the Palestinians and calls for Israel's destruction.
Earlier, Israel had warned it would target the area.
Hezbollah has also attacked Israel after the killing of Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
This cross-border fighting has intensified, with Lebanon being pulled deeper into the conflict last week.
US to escort oil tankers passing through Strait of Hormuz
Amid these developments, Trump has said that Washington plans to quickly move to safeguard shipping routes.
The United States will start escorting oil tankers passing through the Strait of Hormuz "very soon."
This decision comes after Iran's missile strikes on Israel and its effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a key waterway for global energy shipments.