Trump claims Iran's Kharg Island under attack as US-Iran tensions escalate

Washington: US President Donald Trump claimed on Sunday that Iran's Kharg Island was under attack, posting on social media that the country's main oil export hub was being "blown to smithereens". The post included a video that was later reported to be AI-generated. No independent evidence emerged to confirm that Kharg Island was under attack, and neither the White House nor the US Department of Defense immediately provided additional details. Kharg Island has historically handled the majority of Iran's oil exports, making it a critical part of the country's energy sector. The comments came amid renewed military tensions between the United States and Iran. American forces struck two Iranian launchers on Larak Island A US official said American forces had struck two Iranian launchers on Larak Island, near the Strait of Hormuz, in what appeared to be the first known US military action against Iran since late July. According to the official, Iranian forces were preparing to launch rockets carrying sea mines into the strategic waterway when the strikes were carried out. Iran's Revolutionary Guards said the attack resulted in casualties and injuries, according to Iranian state media, and warned of further retaliation. US Central Command said American forces had taken "limited, precise" action against Iranian Revolutionary Guard units that posed what it described as an imminent threat in the Strait of Hormuz. Increased economic pressure The latest confrontation follows weeks of increased economic pressure by the Trump administration on Tehran. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Washington was expected to introduce new secondary sanctions against Iran and its business partners on a weekly basis, beginning with measures targeting banks. He indicated that additional financial institutions could face restrictions, including potential exclusion from the US dollar-based financial system. The developments have heightened concerns over shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global energy supplies. Shipping data showed a decline in visible vessel traffic through the waterway over the weekend.