US President Donald Trump erroneously shared an old photo of an Israeli attack on an Iranian oil facility, falsely claiming it was a recent American strike on Iran. The image, depicting flames and smoke from the Shahran oil depot in Tehran on June 15, 2025, was posted on Truth Social by Mr. Trump on July 8, blaming Iran for ship bombings and warning of escalating actions.
A news outlet corrected the misinformation, clarifying that the image was not from the stated date. Following incidents in the Strait of Hormuz, where multiple vessels were targeted, the US initiated new strikes on Iran. Tensions escalated after joint US-Israeli attacks on Iranian sites in February, making the strait, a crucial route for global oil trade, a focal point of the conflict.
Despite efforts to reach a peace agreement, a recent confrontation has disrupted progress. An MoU signed between the US and Iran on June 17 aimed to reopen the Strait of Hormuz within 60 days, resolving disputes over Iran’s nuclear program. However, President Trump declared an end to the ceasefire, criticizing Iran at a NATO summit in Türkiye and authorizing further US military actions against Iran to safeguard navigation in the strait.
The US and Iran’s previous agreements to restore maritime traffic and lift blockades now seem in jeopardy as tensions escalate.
