Trump's AI Video Post
President Donald Trump on Sunday shared an AI-generated video on his Truth Social account depicting an aerial attack on what appears to be an oil field, suggesting that Iran's Kharg Island—a key oil-export hub—is being destroyed. The video shows an oil storage tank and an oil tanker exploding, as viewed from an aircraft flying above. In the post, Trump wrote, "Kharg Island being blown to smithereens!!!"
The video features the back of the head of a pilot of a United States aircraft, overlooking the bombing of what is believed to be an industrial compound supposedly on Kharg Island. No explanation was given for the post, and the White House had not commented on it as of early Monday morning.
The post follows an interview Trump gave on Fox News's "Sunday Night in America," during which he reiterated his stance that Iran "cannot have a nuclear weapon." In that interview, Trump said, "Iran is a number one leading state sponsor of terror. You've heard that many times, in the whole world. They cannot have a nuclear weapon."
Kharg Island, located more than 400 miles northwest of the Strait of Hormuz in the Persian Gulf, handles a vast majority of Iran's oil exports—approximately 90%, according to Forbes. The island houses nearly 20,000 people and features three major energy infrastructure hubs. Trump has repeatedly threatened to seize or destroy the island since the beginning of the war with Iran, though no such attack has been launched so far.
US Military Action in the Strait of Hormuz
The president's post came as the S. military carried out strikes against Iranian forces along the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday. The S. military's Central Command (CENTCOM) said it took "limited, precise action" against the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps' "minelaying forces," which it said posed an imminent threat to the vital waterway. According to CENTCOM, Iran's actions were creating a threat, and the S. military acted to eliminate that threat and "protect civilian mariners, commercial shipping and the free flow of global commerce."
S. intelligence had witnessed the Revolutionary Guard Corps forces preparing to deploy sea mines in the Strait of Hormuz, according to the Washington Examiner, and the S. military claimed it had cleared the Strait of mines the previous week. The strikes on Larak Island, as the Washington Examiner identified the target, were the first against Iran in over a month.
Iranian state media reported explosions near Larak Island, located near the Strait of Hormuz, and the IRGC acknowledged multiple casualties.
Iranian Retaliation and Jordanian Interception
The IRGC claimed it had retaliated against the Hormuz strikes by launching ballistic missiles at two S. bases in Jordan. In a statement, the Jordanian military said its air defense systems intercepted eight missiles that penetrated its airspace on Monday, and that they were destroyed before they "posed any threat to citizens or property."
The IRGC's claim was reported by multiple outlets, and the Jordanian military's account was detailed in the Forbes report.
Trump's Interview Comments on the War
During his Fox News interview with former congressman Trey Gowdy, Trump spoke about the ongoing six-month military conflict with Iran, expressing optimism about the final result and praising the progress made so far. "But we're doing a great job," Trump said. "The blockade has been unbelievable. The financial—the financial hits that we're giving them, we're hitting them very hard. Never—nobody's ever been hit like this."
He added, "They're a failing nation right now. And at the right point, we'll either win or they'll do something. But, you know, I don't mind winning, just winning. I don't need a signature on a piece of paper."
Trump also boasted of the military campaign's effects, saying, "Their navy's gone. Their air force is gone. Their leaders are gone. Their—all of their anti-aircraft—I mean, it's all wiped out. They're tough people. They're smart people. But they are very evil."
Context of Trump's Use of AI Imagery
The Kharg Island videos are the latest instance of Trump using AI-generated imagery and videos on his social media posts, often to attack rivals or tout his successes, according to Forbes. In April, Trump shared an AI-generated image depicting himself as Jesus Christ, amid a feud with Pope Leo XIV. The post drew immediate pushback from various groups, including some prominent Republicans, prompting Trump to delete it. A few days later, he posted another AI image showing him embraced by Jesus in front of an American flag.
Trump has also shared AI-generated images depicting himself and members of his cabinet swimming in the renovated Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool, implying the water body was a sewer under previous Democratic administrations. Late last month, Trump threatened Iran with AI images showing Kharg Island being bombarded and Iranian oil tankers being seized by S. forces, along with images of Trump standing with President John F. Kennedy and "saving" President George Washington.
The video post came amid escalating tensions between the United States and Iran, with the war now in its sixth month.