According to US President Donald Trump's announcement, the strikes were focused on military targets on the island and avoided the oil installations.
The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) struck Kharg Island, one of Iran's main oil terminals, US President Donald Trump announced on Friday.
"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," Trump wrote in a Truth Social post.
According to Trump's announcement, the strikes were focused on military targets on the island and avoided the oil installations, which provide a naval exit for almost 90% of the Iranian oil exports. However, Trump threatened to attack the installations if Iran interferes with shipping operations in the Strait of Hormuz.
"Our weapons are the most powerful and sophisticated that the world has ever known, but, for reasons of decency, I have chosen not to wipe out the oil Infrastructure on the island," Trump said. "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."
In a subsequent post, Trump also said: "Iran had plans of taking over the entire Middle East, and completely obliterating Israel. Just like Iran itself, those plans are now dead."
Trump says Israel-US goals might not be fully aligned
Trump's comments came minutes after he talked to reporters at Joint Base Andrews while leaving Air Force 1. There, he said that the US and Israel's goals for the war in Iran might "be a little different."
He also said that the US Navy will begin escorting ships through the Strait of Hormuz "very soon" and that the Iranian Navy "is gone."
"The situation in Iran is going very well. A lot of big hits today... We're in very good control," he said and added, "Their navy is gone. Their air force is gone. Most of their military is gone... Just about everything is gone, and you'll see that."
CENTCOM shares images of B-2 bombers in operation
The latest release from CENTCOM focused on operations conducted by B-2 stealth bombers, the US's most modern bomber, but did not mention the targeting of Kharg Island.
"B-2 stealth bombers take off to conduct a mission during Operation Epic Fury, delivering long-range fire to not only eliminate the threat from the Iranian regime today, but also eliminate their ability to rebuild in the future," CENTCOM's statement said.
Reuters contributed to this report.
