US President Donald Trump posted an AI-generated video showing explosions that he claimed depicted Iran’s Kharg Island being destroyed.
The post came hours after the United States and Iran exchanged attacks for the first time since July. However, it remained unclear whether Trump was threatening an attack or reporting an ongoing strike.
No evidence of attack
Several hours after Trump’s post, there was no evidence that Kharg Island had been attacked. The White House and Pentagon did not immediately respond to requests for clarification.
Reuters said the accompanying video was most likely synthetically generated. AI-detection software indicated that the dramatic footage had likely been manipulated.
Trump posted the clip on Truth Social with a brief message declaring, “Kharg Island being blown to smithereens!!!”
Iran warns against aggression
Meanwhile, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Tehran would respond decisively to any aggression. He made the comments before a planned visit to Kyrgyzstan, although the timing remained unclear.
Kharg Island remains vital to Iran’s economy. Before the war began on February 28, the island handled around 90% of Iran’s oil exports.
Furthermore, Iran’s Revolutionary Guards rejected Trump’s claims that the Strait of Hormuz remained open. The strategic waterway carried nearly one-fifth of global crude oil and liquefied natural gas shipments before the blockade.
Iran remains OPEC’s third-largest oil producer.
