US President Donald Trump has posted a startling video depicting Iran's oil export hub being destroyed. The footage, which appears to be artificially generated, was uploaded to Trump's Truth Social account.
It shows Iran's Kharg Island being obliterated from the perspective of a military aircraft. The clip was accompanied by text stating: "Kharg Island being blown to smithereens!!!".
Strategic oil terminal
The island, situated approximately 25 kilometres from Iran's coastline, serves as the principal terminal for roughly 90% of the nation's oil exports.
Global oil markets have experienced significant volatility since the war commenced and an assault on Kharg Island would inevitably trigger market chaos.
US strikes on Iran
Just hours earlier, the US conducted its first strike on Iran in weeks, resulting in several casualties and fatalities. The attack on two launchers occurred on Iran's Larak island on Sunday, August 30, according to a US official.
The conflict sparked on February 28 after the US and Israel launched joint strikes on multiple key Iranian locations. Iran responded by striking US allies in the Middle East and shutting the Strait of Hormuz waterway, through which one fifth of global oil passed before the conflict.
Strait of Hormuz traffic
Earlier on Sunday, a multinational coalition supervised by the US Navy reported commercial traffic through the strait remained at "reduced levels."
