Donald Trump has announced that the US have ‘obliterated’ every military target on an Iranian Island in “one of the most powerful bombing raids in the History of the Middle East”.

The US President confirmed the attack in a post on his Truth Social site on Friday evening (March 13). He claimed that his country’s forces took out what he labelled “Iran’s crown jewel”.

He added “for reasons of decency” the US did not strike out the island’s oil infrastructure.

Kharg is a small Iranian island, roughly five miles long by two and a half miles wide, in the northern Persian Gulf. It acts as the terminal for nearly of all of its oil exports.

Until this attack it had been left untouched by US and Israeli attacks.

His post reads: “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.

“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.

“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.

“During my First Term, and currently, I rebuilt our Military into the Most Lethal, Powerful, and Effective Force, by far, anywhere in the World. Iran has NO ability to defend anything that we want to attack — There is nothing they can do about it!

“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!”

In an interview aired by Fox News on Friday morning the president claimed that seizing Kharg island was “not high on the list”.

However Trump carried on, adding: “Who’d ask a question like that, and what fool would answer it?” he said. “Let’s say I was going to do it or let’s say I wasn’t going to do it, why would I tell you?”

The interview was recorded on Thursday evening.