U.S. President Donald Trump announced that American forces executed a significant bombing campaign targeting military installations on the Iranian island of Khark. This operation, described as one of the most powerful airstrikes in Middle Eastern history, aimed to eliminate all military objectives on the island.
In a statement on his social media platform, Truth Social, Trump emphasized the scale of the attack, asserting, “A few minutes ago, at my direction, U.S. Central Command conducted one of the most powerful bombing strikes in Middle Eastern history and completely destroyed every military target on the ‘pearl’ of Iran – the island of Khark.”
Despite the extensive military action, Trump noted that he opted not to target the island’s oil infrastructure. He stated, “For reasons of decency, I decided not to destroy the oil infrastructure on the island. However, if Iran or anyone else does anything to impede the safe passage of vessels through the Strait of Hormuz, I will immediately reconsider this decision.”
Trump’s comments included a warning to Iranian military forces and others associated with the regime, suggesting it would be prudent for them to disarm and preserve what remains of their country, which he characterized as minimal.
Khark Island holds strategic importance for Tehran, housing the primary oil terminal through which approximately 90% of Iran’s crude oil exports are routed. The decision to spare the oil infrastructure during the bombing could reflect an attempt by Washington to prevent further destabilization of the global energy market, which has already faced shocks due to the onset of hostilities.
Prior to the bombing, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) released footage of B-2 Spirit stealth bombers taking off. Military officials stated that these aircraft were deployed not only to address the immediate threats posed by the Iranian regime but also to diminish its capacity for future recovery.
The U.S. military has conducted a significant bombing strike on Iran's Khark Island, targeting military facilities while sparing oil infrastructure. This action reflects strategic considerations amid rising tensions in the region.