The United States concluded a sixth consecutive night of airstrikes against Iranian military infrastructure on Friday. The strikes targeted coastal defenses and logistics sites as Tehran retaliated with drone and missile attacks on US facilities across the Gulf, further disrupting global energy transit through the Strait of Hormuz. Iran has said 38 people have been killed, and more than 400 injured, in the US attacks since the two sides met in Switzerland on June 22 for talks to end the war through a 60-day negotiation period.
CENTCOM Targets Qeshm Island and Bandar Abbas Military Infrastructure
Escalating Strikes and Strategic Targets in Iran
The US military campaign, led by Central Command (CENTCOM), has focused on degrading Iran’s maritime and air defense capabilities. The US military said it completed another night of strikes to further degrade Iranian military capabilities, including on Qeshm Island and near Bandar Abbas, home to Iran’s largest port and key navy and Revolutionary Guards facilities. US forces, including fighter jets, aerial drones, and warships, launched precision munitions that hit dozens of Iranian military targets such as coastal surveillance and air defense sites, military logistics infrastructure, and maritime capabilities.
The operational toll in southern Iran is significant, with Iranian state media reporting damage to civilian and military infrastructure. Iranian media reported that US forces struck at least six bridges, a railway station, and other sites across Iran. Fars news agency detailed that the six bridges struck in Hormozgan province include the Gariveh bridge connecting Bandar Abbas to Khmeir, a bridge near the village of Latidan, two bridges on the Kahoorestan-Lar route, a partially constructed bridge connecting Bandar e-Khamir, Keshar and Bandar Abbas, and a bridge in the village of Maru. Additionally, the Iranian Ministry of Energy reported damage to power lines in Bandar Abbas and surrounding villages, causing power outages. State news agency IRNA reported that seven people were killed in US attacks on bridges in the port city of Bandar Khamir.
IRGC Attacks US Bases in Kuwait and Syria
Retaliatory Strikes Across the Gulf
Tehran’s response has been multi-national, targeting US-linked facilities and bases. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed this Friday marked the 13th wave of retaliatory strikes since hostilities renewed. In Jordan, the army reported shooting down three Iranian missiles targeting the country, noting no human casualties as Royal Engineering Corps teams handled falling shrapnel. In Qatar, the Ministry of Interior reported that one child was injured by falling shrapnel during aerial interceptions over Doha; the child is receiving medical treatment.
The scope of the conflict has spread to the maritime domain. The IRGC claimed to have destroyed a US air control radar in Oman’s Ghanim region and a maritime control radar on rocks in the Strait of Hormuz. Separately, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations agency reported that a tanker was hit by an unknown projectile 19 nautical miles east of Khasab, Oman, on Thursday. In Kuwait, the IRGC claimed it hit a US military base, striking a missile defense radar, several weapons depots, and two HIMARS surface-to-surface missile launchers. Furthermore, the IRGC reported attacking a US special operations command center at the al-Tanf military base in Syria.
President Donald Trump Responds to Strait of Hormuz Blockade
Strait of Hormuz and Global Energy Stakes
The ongoing combat has halted traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, pushing up global energy prices. Tehran resumed its blockade of the strait, and Washington began blockading Iranian ports on Wednesday. Iran wants all ships to travel through a channel close to its shores and intends to charge passage fees at the end of the 60-day negotiation period. Iranian Army spokesperson Brigadier General Mohammad Akraminia stated that US airstrikes along the coast would not work because Iran could strike the strait from anywhere on its territory. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that President Donald Trump would not sit by and allow these active acts of terrorism to take place in the strait without ensuring Iran pays consequences for that,
though she added the president was always open to diplomacy at the very same time.
Vice President JD Vance Alleges Israeli Interference in Policy
Political Friction and Future Negotiations
The conflict has also surfaced internal political tensions. In a podcast episode with Joe Rogan, US Vice President JD Vance claimed that members of the Israeli government tried to influence US public opinion to oppose a deal. I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that there have been people within the Israeli government who are trying to, like, actually shift us away from that policy because they want to continue the military campaign,
Vance said. As hostilities continue, Iran has signaled it could prod Houthi forces in Yemen to close the Bab al-Mandeb strait if Washington continues to attack Iranian infrastructure.
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