Trump follows 'smithereens' Iran post with a striking new claim

WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump escalated his characterization of Iran on Monday, August 31, moving from saying Kharg Island was being blown to “smithereens” to calling Iran a “Failed Nation” that is “dead.”

Trump’s remarks came as US strikes targeted Iranian rocket launchers on Larak Island, with Tehran responding by firing on US bases in Jordan.

The back-to-back Truth Social posts offered sharply broader language about Iran’s military, economy, and leadership after a weeks-long lull in hostilities.

Trump broadens his description of Iran

Trump wrote on Monday that “Iran is officially a Failed Nation. IT IS DEAD!” He then listed what he described as Iran’s military and economic shortcomings.

“They have no Navy, they have no Air Force, they have no currency, they are not paying their soldiers or police,” Trump wrote, adding that inflation was “at 300%”

Trump also accused Iran’s leadership of being “in total disarray and incapable of properly representing the country.”

His post followed an earlier message featuring video of dramatic explosions at Kharg Island, a major Iranian energy hub.

“Kharg Island being blown to smithereens!!! President DJT,” Trump wrote without providing further details.

There was no confirmation from the White House or the US Defense Department that Kharg Island had been attacked.

Larak strikes put focus on Iran's launchers

The earlier US action involved strikes on two rocket launchers on Larak Island, in the first known American strikes against Iran since late July.

Iran’s state-run IRNA reported that two people were killed and others injured in the attack, citing a local governor.

A US official said American forces targeted Larak after Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps forces were observed preparing to launch rockets with sea mines into the Strait of Hormuz.

US Central Command said its forces took “limited, precise” action against Iranian minelaying forces it said posed an “imminent threat” in the strait.

Iran responded by firing on US bases in Jordan, according to Iranian media and officials, as hostilities between Washington and Tehran resumed.

Trump administration also targets Iran financially

The military strikes came alongside an expanded US effort to pressure Iran through economic sanctions and penalties targeting its business allies.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on Sunday that the administration was likely to unveil new secondary sanctions weekly, saying, “We're starting with the banks, and we're telling the banks it's not okay to have Iranian money and to aid the regime.”

The administration had imposed penalties on United Arab Emirates branches of Egypt’s Banque Misr over alleged financial links to Iran.

Bessent said the next step could involve cutting an institution off entirely from the dollar-based financial system.

“You're going to see a lot more of these every week,” Bessent said ahead of a meeting of Group of 20 finance leaders.

Kharg Island handled 90% of Iran’s oil exports before the country came under attack from the US and Israel on Feb 28, meaning a confirmed attack there would severely disrupt Iran’s energy trade.