US President Donald Trump announced Saturday that the US Central Command has completely destroyed all military installations on Kharg Island — Iran's most critical oil export hub — in what marks the most significant escalation of the Middle East conflict to date.

Trump released footage of the attack showing missiles striking the Persian Gulf island, with large plumes of smoke rising across its expanse. Kharg Island accounts for approximately 90 per cent of Iran's crude oil exports, handling roughly 7 million barrels of oil daily through its vast network of terminals, pipelines, and storage facilities. A sustained assault on its oil infrastructure would effectively choke Iran's primary revenue source and destabilise supplies to major buyers, including China.

Trump claimed to have shown restraint by targeting only military bases while sparing oil infrastructure — but issued a stark warning: if Iran continued to disrupt the Strait of Hormuz, the next strike would hit the oil facilities themselves.

Anticipating Iranian retaliation, the Pentagon has ordered approximately 2,500 Marines from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, along with the amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli, to the Middle East. The 31st MEU is a rapid-response force specialising in surprise coastal and ground operations, and the USS Tripoli is capable of deploying helicopter-borne troops directly onto hostile shores — signalling the US may be preparing for more aggressive operations in the days ahead.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi dismissed Washington's posturing with sharp sarcasm, noting that the US — which had pressured India to stop purchasing Russian oil — was now, just two weeks into the conflict, urging the world to ensure Russian oil supplies continue. Araghchi alleged that European nations had aligned with the US against Russia, only to find themselves now bearing the economic consequences.

Iran has declared it is prepared for a prolonged conflict unless its sovereign rights are fully respected.