President Donald Trump claimed that US has “blown” Iran’s energy hub, Kharg Island to “smithereens” after posting an AI-generated video.
According to Reuters, Trump on Sunday, August 30, posted AI (artificial intelligence) video clip showing Kharg Island that handles 90% of Iran’s oil export on fire.
He wrote on his social media platform Truth Social, “Kharg Island being blown to simthereen!!!” without giving any further details.
There have been no official reports from the White House, US Defense Department and Iran about the attack.
Iran responds to Kharg Island AI video
Later, on Monday, August 31, Iranian officials dismissed Trump’s “blown to smithereens” claim about the island and described the post as “laughable.”
Hamid Bovard, chief executive of government-run National Iranian Oil Co, said on Monday, “Trump’s tweets are laughable and conditions in Kharg are calm and appropriate.”
Trump's post came shortly after the U.S. and Iran resumed hostilities for the first time since late July, further denting hopes for any early resolution of a conflict now in its sixth month and driving oil prices nearly 2% higher on Monday.
As per Iranian media the US forces on Sunday struck two Iranian launchers on Iran's Larak Island, some 660 km (410 miles) east of Kharg, a US official said, prompting Iran to retaliate by attacking two US bases in Jordan, marking its first offensive operation in a month.
In a statement, the US Central Command said it took "limited, precise" action against minelaying forces of Iran's Revolutionary Guards that posed an "imminent threat" in the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran's Revolutionary Guards said the attack killed and wounded several soldiers and citizens and vowed a "response and punishment" from Tehran.
The Trump administration had shifted away from military action in recent weeks, stepping up efforts to punish Tehran and its business partners with costly economic sanctions.
