Trump says US hit Harg Island, vows to protect shipping in Strait of Hormuz

United States President Donald Trump said on Saturday that US forces had "totally destroyed" military targets on the strategic Iranian island of Harg, calling the attack "one of the most powerful airstrikes" in the history of the Middle East.

He also said the US Navy will soon begin escorting ships through the Strait of Hormuz.

"Moments ago, on my orders, United States Central Command executed one of the most powerful bombing raids in the history of the Middle East and completely destroyed every MILITARY target on Iran's crown jewel, Harg Island," Trump wrote on social media.

He also released a video showing explosions on the island after the attacks.

"Our weapons are the most powerful and sophisticated the world has ever known, but for reasons of integrity I have chosen NOT to destroy the oil infrastructure on the island," he added.

However, he warned Tehran that if Iran "or anyone else" takes any action to impede maritime transport through the strait, he will "reconsider" the decision not to destroy the oil facilities on the island.

Iran's Harg Island is the country's main oil export point, serving as a terminal for about 90 percent of Iran's oil exports.

It is located about 24 kilometers off the Iranian coast and about 480 kilometers north of the Strait of Hormuz.

A few hours later on Saturday, Iranian state media confirmed that US forces had struck military facilities on Harg Island.

The Fars news agency, close to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), reported that "more than 15 explosions" were heard on the island and that thick smoke was rising from the area.

This agency reported that the United States had targeted military equipment and claimed that Hargut's air defense systems had not been damaged.

Radio Free Europe/Radio Farda was unable to independently verify this report.

The Iranian military had previously threatened to attack US-linked oil facilities in the region if Iranian energy infrastructure was hit.

These developments came at a time when the Pentagon began to strengthen its military presence in the Middle East, sending a new attack ship with a Navy expeditionary unit, after Trump pledged intensified strikes over the next week.

Senior defense officials told REL on Friday that the Pentagon is sending a contingent of Marines — likely about 2.500 — aboard the attack ship, the USS Tripoli.

REL contacted the White House and referred the matter to U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), which is responsible for U.S. forces in the Middle East. CENTCOM did not respond.

"We're going to hit them very hard over the next week," Trump said of Iran.

The president later wrote in another social media post that Iran "is completely defeated and wants a deal, but not a deal I would accept."

Escorting ships in the Strait of Hormuz

Trump earlier said the United States is prepared and ready to escort ships through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping route, to protect them from Iranian attacks.

Several other Western countries have said they are reviewing Trump's stance.

When asked later when the US Navy would begin escorting the tankers, Trump told reporters: "It will happen soon," although he did not give a timeline.

The US administration is trying to curb the rise in global oil prices after disruptions caused by US-Israeli air strikes on Iran, which began on February 28, as well as Tehran's response with missiles and drones against US Arab allies in the Persian Gulf and elsewhere.