Trump Posts AI Video Claiming Iran`s Kharg Island `Blown to Smithereens` as US-Iran Trade Strikes Resume

President Donald Trump shared an AI-generated video on Sunday night claiming Iran's Kharg Island had been “blown to smithereens,” hours after the United States and Iran exchanged strikes for the first time in about a month. There is no independent evidence that the oil hub, which accounts for roughly 90 percent of Iran's crude exports, was actually attacked.

In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump wrote: “Kharg Island being blown to smithereens!!!” The roughly 10-second clip showed what appeared to be an aerial strike on an oil facility, but the president did not note that the footage was generated by AI. The Pentagon and U.S. Central Command have not reported any strike on Kharg Island.

U.S. Central Command said it had taken “limited, precise action” against Iranian minelaying capabilities in the Strait of Hormuz, striking two Iranian launchers on Larak Island, according to spokesperson Captain Tim Hawkins. CENTCOM made no mention of Kharg.

Iranian officials rejected Trump's claim. Hamid Bovard, chief executive of the state-owned National Iranian Oil Company, called the post “laughable” and said activity on Kharg Island was continuing as normal.

The renewed hostilities mark an escalation in a conflict that had settled into a stalemate since late July. Washington resumed strikes amid a broader economic-pressure campaign, which the Treasury described as an “economic D-Day.” The U.S. has maintained a naval blockade on Iranian ports and said on Sunday it had stopped more than 80 commercial ships from accessing Iran since the measures took effect.

Iran said its forces responded to the U.S. strikes by firing ballistic missiles at two Jordanian air bases, causing “heavy damage.” Jordanian armed forces said it intercepted eight missiles. The UAE separately said it had detected an Iranian drone approaching its territorial waters but denied that its Al Minhad Air Base was targeted.

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said Monday that a tanker was stopped after striking two naval mines along the southern edge of the Strait of Hormuz. The route, which skirts Oman's coast, has been the main alternative since Iran choked off the northern passage in February. The U.K.-backed Maritime Trade Operations centre said a tanker off Oman was struck by an unknown projectile late Saturday; no casualties were reported.

Oil prices rose roughly two percent on Monday as the escalation resumed. Brent crude topped $90 a barrel, according to multiple reports.

The Strait of Hormuz carries about a fifth of the world's seaborne oil and gas in normal conditions, and the renewed friction has raised fresh concerns about global energy supply. Trump said on Tuesday that the U.S. Navy had cleared all mines from the main shipping lane and warned that any ship or boat placing new mines would be “immediately and systematically destroyed.”

The video post is not the first time Trump has shared AI-generated imagery related to the conflict. It highlights the extent to which synthetic media is now entering high-stakes state communication, where the distinction between real and fabricated evidence can carry diplomatic and military consequences.