US President Donald Trump shared a photograph on July 8 showing an Israeli strike on an Iranian oil depot from June 15, 2025, falsely claiming it depicted a recent US military attack on Iran. Trump posted the image on Truth Social, writing it was "in retribution for yesterday's bombing of ships by Iran" and warning of escalation. The misrepresentation occurred amid renewed US-Iran hostilities following ship attacks in the Strait of Hormuz earlier this week, disrupting a peace agreement signed June 17 that aimed to end the conflict within 60 days.
Trump Posts Year-Old Israeli Strike Photo as Recent US Attack
The photograph Trump shared showed fire and smoke billowing into the sky after an Israeli attack on the Shahran oil depot on June 15, 2025 in Tehran. In his Truth Social post on Wednesday, July 8, Trump wrote: "This is in retribution for yesterday's bombing of ships by Iran. If it happens again, it will get much worse!"
The post featured a screenshot from a news outlet, which later issued a correction clarifying the image was not new. The original strike was conducted by Israel, not the United States, more than one year before Trump's post.
US Launches Fresh Strikes After Strait of Hormuz Ship Attacks
The US unleashed a fresh barrage of strikes on Iran following several ship attacks in the Strait of Hormuz overnight earlier this week. The strait, through which 20% of all global oil traded passes, has become a flashpoint in the conflict that erupted after joint US-Israeli strikes targeted multiple Iranian sites in February.
US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced on Wednesday evening, following Trump's remarks, that US forces were initiating additional strikes on Iran to "further degrade their ability to threaten freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz", under orders from Trump.
US-Iran Peace Agreement Signed June 17 for 60-Day Resolution
Following months of warfare, the US and Iran reached a peace agreement that would see the vital Strait of Hormuz reopened. On June 17, the US and Iran signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to end the war within 60 days.
As part of the MoU, Iran pledged to ensure that the transit of merchant vessels from the Persian Gulf to the Sea of Oman and vice versa is resumed within 30 days to the pre-war volume. The US agreed to lift the naval blockade against Iran and restore traffic to its full capacity within a maximum of 30 days as soon as the MoU was signed.
Washington and Tehran were striving to secure a long-term peace agreement to conclude the war, re-establish global shipping in the crucial Strait of Hormuz and aim to settle an ongoing disagreement over Tehran's nuclear programme.
Trump Declares Ceasefire Over at NATO Summit, Orders Additional Strikes
Trump declared the ceasefire to be "over" at a NATO summit in Türkiye on Wednesday, telling journalists: "I don't want to deal with them anymore. They're scum."
The most recent conflict appears to have hindered peace efforts established under the June 17 agreement.
FAQ
What photo did Trump share on July 8?
Trump shared a photograph showing an Israeli strike on the Shahran oil depot in Tehran from June 15, 2025, falsely claiming it depicted a recent US military attack on Iran.
When was the US-Iran peace agreement signed?
The US and Iran signed a Memorandum of Understanding on June 17 to end the war within 60 days and reopen the Strait of Hormuz within 30 days.
What did Trump announce at the NATO summit in Türkiye?
Trump declared the ceasefire "over" at a NATO summit on Wednesday, stating he no longer wanted to deal with Iran, and ordered US Central Command to initiate additional strikes on Iran.
