US-Iran war: Trump claims military targets on Kharg Island ‘obliterated', issues fresh warning over Strait of Hormuz

US President Donald Trump on Friday claimed that US forces had carried out “one of the most powerful bombing runs in the history of the Middle East”, with the Iran's “crown jewel”—Kharg Island—as its target.

"Moments ago, at my direction, the United States Central Command executed one of the most powerful bombing raids in the History of the Middle East, and totally obliterated every MILITARY target in Iran’s crown jewel, Kharg Island (sic)," wrote Trump in a post on Truth Social.

Asserting that American weapons were "the most powerful and sophisticated" in the world, Trump said he had "chosen NOT to wipe out" the oil infrastructure on the island "for reasons of decency".

"However, should Iran, or anyone else, do anything to interfere with the Free and Safe Passage of Ships through the Strait of Hormuz, I will immediately reconsider this decision," Trump warned.

Kharg Island, located roughly 30 kilometres off the Iranian mainland, handles roughly 90% of Iran's crude exports, reported AFP citing a recent JPMorgan note.

"A direct strike would immediately halt the bulk of Iran's crude exports, likely triggering severe retaliation in the Strait of Hormuz or against regional energy infrastructure," the news agency quoted JPMorgan as saying.

'Nothing they can do'

Trump's warning to Iran did not stop there --- the US President emphasized how he, in his first term, had "rebuilt" the US military into the "the Most Lethal, Powerful, and Effective Force, by far, anywhere in the World (sic)".

"Iran has NO ability to defend anything that we want to attack — There is nothing they can do about it!," Trump said.

Following up on his earlier assertions, Trump said that Iran "will NEVER" have a nuclear weapon, "nor will it have the ability to threaten the United States of America, the Middle East or, for that matter, the World!"

"Iran’s Military, and all others involved with this Terrorist Regime, would be wise to lay down their arms, and save what’s left of their country, which isn’t much!," Trump said.

Minutes later, in a separate post, Trump said, "Iran had plans of taking over the entire Middle East, and completely obliterating Israel. JUST LIKE IRAN ITSELF, THOSE PLANS ARE NOW DEAD!"

The US President did not elaborate on his last post.

CENTCOM says B-2 bombers on mission

Hours before Trump announced the strikes on Kharg Island, the US Central Command shared a video showing B-2 stealth bombers taking off in the dead of the night to carry out attacks under Operation Epic Fury, which was launched on 28 February.

The B-2 bombers' mission, the US CENTCOM said, was to deliver “long-range fire to not only eliminate the threat from the Iranian regime today, but also eliminate their ability to rebuild in the future.”