The United States early Friday expanded its campaign of airstrikes against Iran, striking new bridges and apparently collapsing a tower in a key Iranian port, part of President Donald Trump's threats to begin striking infrastructure to pressure Tehran to loosen its grip on the Strait of Hormuz. Iran launched new missile attacks against US-allied countries in the Middle East, including Qatar, a key mediator in the war, UNN reports citing AP.
Details
A temporary ceasefire agreed last month collapsed, and the region is experiencing several days of mutual US and Iranian attacks in the battle for control of the strait. Iranian officials say US strikes have killed dozens and wounded hundreds, with new casualties reported from Friday's strikes.
When the US and Israel began their war against Iran on February 28, Tehran effectively closed the strait to shipping, leading to a sharp rise in oil prices and giving Iran significant leverage in negotiations.
In a prime-time address to the American people, Trump insisted the war was going well.
"We are also winning big in Iran, and you will very soon see the fruits of that work," Trump said.
Bridges and port tower in Iran hit
US forces carried out airstrikes on bridges early Friday in the southern Iranian province of Hormozgan, killing at least seven people, Iranian state television reported. The attacks hit Bandar Khamir, a city on the Iranian coast in the Strait of Hormuz.
US Central Command said dozens of targets were hit in the latest airstrikes, which ended at dawn Friday, marking the sixth consecutive night of American attacks.
The strikes also apparently collapsed a tower in the Iranian port of Chabahar on the Gulf of Oman, a key trade route for neighboring landlocked Afghanistan.
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth shared an image of the observation tower collapsing. The image had previously been circulated on social media by activists.
The port of Chabahar, which Iran operated with Indian support, has repeatedly been a target of US airstrikes. Iranian state media acknowledged a third round of strikes on the facility, but did not immediately report the tower's collapse.
Iran described the tower as monitoring commercial traffic into the port. However, Iran's paramilitary Revolutionary Guard operates in ports across the country.
The US delivers a new wave of strikes on Iran16.07.26, 21:53
Iran retaliates against Qatar, mediator in the war
On Friday, Qatar twice warned its population to take shelter, as a barrage of Iranian missile strikes hit the country. People heard explosions overhead as air defense systems attempted to intercept the missiles. Qatar's Interior Ministry reported that a child was injured by falling debris.
Qatar, along with Pakistan, is a key mediator in negotiations to end the war with Iran. However, talks have stalled due to Iran's control over the Strait of Hormuz.
Early Friday, Iran also struck Bahrain and Kuwait.
Explosions were also heard Friday morning in Erbil and Sulaymaniyah in the semi-autonomous Kurdish region of northern Iraq, as air defense systems repelled strikes. No information on any damage is yet available.
Iran promises to destroy all infrastructure in the region in the event of a US strike17.07.26, 06:28