President Donald Trump shared two AI-generated videos that appear to depict an aerial assault on a location resembling an oil field, hinting at the destruction of Iran’s Kharg Island—an essential site responsible for a majority of the country's oil exports. This announcement comes on the heels of U.S. military airstrikes targeting Iranian rocket launchers in the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday.
In a statement posted on Truth Social on Sunday evening, Trump exclaimed, “Kharg Island being blown to smithereens!!!” This was coupled with a deepfake video showing a military pilot gazing out at an oil field while engulfed in flames and explosions. The visuals include scenes of blasts affecting an oil storage facility, a docked tanker, and other structures. Following this, Trump presented another AI-generated clip that depicted missiles striking a large coastal oil field, causing further explosions. It remains uncertain whether these videos were created by his team or sourced from other accounts. Importantly, while the U.S. resumed significant military actions against Iranian forces for the first time in a month, there have been no confirmed attacks on Kharg Island itself.
According to the U.S. Central Command, they undertook “limited, precise action” against Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) units believed to be laying mines in the Strait of Hormuz, which posed an immediate threat. CENTCOM asserted that Iranian activities were endangering civilian mariners and international shipping, leading to their decision to act in order to safeguard global commerce. Iranian state media reported incidents of explosions near Larak Island, adjacent to the Strait of Hormuz, with the IRGC acknowledging some casualties. It’s unclear if Trump mistakenly associated Larak with Kharg, as Kharg is significantly farther within the Persian Gulf, over 400 miles northwest of the Strait.
In a related escalation, the IRGC claimed to have retaliated against the U.S. strikes by launching ballistic missiles at two American military bases in Jordan. Jordan's military confirmed that its air defense systems intercepted eight missiles that entered its airspace on Monday, destroying them before they could threaten people or property.
This incident marks another instance of Trump utilizing AI-generated content in his social media communications, often for the purpose of attacking his opponents or promoting his achievements. These AI visuals have often stirred controversy, at times leading him to retract and delete posts. A notable moment occurred in April when Trump shared an AI-generated image depicting himself as Jesus Christ during a well-publicized dispute with Pope Leo XIV, which prompted significant backlash from various factions, including some within the Republican Party, leading to its prompt removal. In subsequent days, he issued another AI depiction featuring him with Jesus against an American flag backdrop. Trump has also released several AI-generated images illustrating himself and members of his administration swimming in the Lincoln Memorial’s reflecting pool, insinuating it had been polluted during prior Democratic leadership. In a flurry of AI-related posts last month, he threatened Iran with images purporting to show Kharg Island being bombarded and Iranian oil tankers allegedly seized by U.S. forces, including imagery of himself involved. Other examples from that series included AI-generated visuals portraying him alongside President John F. Kennedy and “rescuing” President George Washington.
Kharg Island processes around 90% of Iran's oil exports, making it a strategically vital location for the nation. Situated in the northern region of the Persian Gulf, the island supports nearly 20,000 residents, primarily oil workers, and hosts three major energy infrastructure sites. While Trump has previously issued threats to either seize or destroy Kharg Island, no substantial offensive action has yet materialized.
