Trump raises stakes amid escalation, posts AI video of Iranian oil port Kharg Island exploding

US President Donald Trump has posted AI footage on social media showing Iran’s key oil port, Kharg Island, "being blown to smithereens!". While Trump has repeatedly threatened to take over this crucial island, which Iran uses to export its oil, he has previously refrained from doing so.

https://x.com/TrumpTruthOnX/status/2094248900551123213

This post is significant because it comes at a very tense moment in the region. Just hours ago on Sunday, the US military launched its first airstrike in roughly a month, targeting Iranian rocket launchers in the Strait of Hormuz. US officials said forces with Iran's Revolutionary Guard were preparing to deploy sea mines into the shipping route. Iran quickly retaliated, firing ballistic missiles at US bases in Jordan.

This direct clash broke a month-long lull in a war that has lasted over six months. It represents a sudden turn back to military action, coming just days after the Trump administration announced it would prioritize economic sanctions to pressure Tehran. US officials had shifted to economic pressure partly due to concerns over depleted weapon stockpiles. 

Rising impact on global trade

Trump’s aggressive social media post contrasts with his administration’s recent focus on sanctions. The US military has even downplayed its latest strike, calling it a "limited, precise action" to protect global commerce rather than an act of aggression.

However, the real-world economic impact is already beginning to show. Global oil prices jumped immediately on Sunday, with Brent crude rising to $89.79 a barrel. While Trump insists the Strait of Hormuz is open, daily commercial ship traffic has crashed to a fraction of its normal levels.