Donald Trump posts on social media an AI-generated video clip he says shows Iran’s Kharg Island—an oil hub—being destroyed. The post comes hours after the United States and Iran trade strikes for the first time since July, with reports also citing U.S. air strikes on Iranian targets in the Strait of Hormuz, including Larak Island.
Several outlets, citing Reuters reporting, say it is not clear whether Trump’s post is meant as a threat or reflects an actual attack. Within hours of the video being shared, multiple reports state there is no independent evidence that Kharg Island was hit. Iranian officials connected to the oil sector publicly dismiss the claim. Reuters reports the White House and U.S. Defense Department do not immediately respond to requests for comment beyond regular business hours. Other outlets frame the incident as a “bizarre” or “new” AI-video claim, noting the lack of confirmation and the absence of an immediate response from Iranian media.
Overall, sources agree the timing is linked to renewed U.S.-Iran hostilities, but differ mainly in emphasis: some stress uncertainty about whether the video corresponds to a real strike, while others focus on the implications of an AI-generated claim circulating during the escalation.
