"Destroying" Kharrout Island with Artificial Intelligence

US President Donald Trump posted a one-line message on social media yesterday, accompanied by an AI-generated video clip, claiming that Kharg Island, a key energy hub in Iran, was “being destroyed,” without providing any clarification or details. Reuters confirmed that the accompanying video, which showed massive explosions, was likely fabricated, using software designed to detect AI-manipulated images. In response, Hamid Beidai, CEO of the National Iranian Oil Company, stated that the situation on Kharg Island in southern Iran was “calm and stable,” appearing to deny the US claim that the island had been targeted. He noted that oil operations there had not stopped for a single moment. Beidai added, “Trump’s tweets are funny. While I am speaking to you, several contractors are carrying out reconstruction and renovation work on the tanks, and efforts to rebuild the jetties and tanks are continuing alongside previously scheduled projects, without interruption.”