President Donald Trump announced Friday evening that the United States had carried out a major military operation targeting Iranian facilities on Kharg Island, calling it one of the most powerful bombing campaigns ever conducted in the Middle East. In a post on Truth Social, Trump said the strikes were executed by U.S. Central Command and claimed that all designated military targets on the island were “totally obliterated.” Kharg Island holds strategic importance for Iran, serving as a key hub for both military activity and energy exports. Trump emphasized that, despite the scale of the attack, the United States intentionally avoided striking Iran’s vital oil infrastructure. He described this as a deliberate decision aimed at limiting broader economic and global consequences.
“Our weapons are the most powerful and sophisticated that the world has ever known,” Trump wrote, adding that he chose not to destroy the island’s oil facilities “for reasons of decency.” At the same time, the president issued a warning regarding the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical maritime chokepoints for oil transportation. He cautioned that any attempt by Iran to disrupt the free flow of shipping would lead to a swift escalation and a reconsideration of his restraint. Trump credited the strength and modernization of the U.S. military for the operation’s success, asserting that Iran lacks the capability to defend against American strikes. He also reiterated his long-standing position that Iran must never obtain nuclear weapons and urged Iranian forces to stand down to avoid further destruction.
In a follow-up statement, Trump claimed the strikes had effectively ended Iran’s broader regional ambitions, including threats toward Israel. Later that evening, the administration released unclassified footage appearing to show multiple large explosions across Kharg Island, though independent verification of the full extent of the damage was not immediately available. Speaking briefly with reporters before departing Joint Base Andrews, Trump said the situation was “going very well” and that the United States remained in control. However, reports suggested potential complications. The Wall Street Journal reported that several U.S. refueling aircraft were damaged in a drone attack in Saudi Arabia. In a separate incident, a U.S. tanker plane crashed in western Iraq, killing all six crew members aboard.
