Iran launched a new wave of attacks on United States military facilities across the Gulf on Friday, following a sixth consecutive night of US airstrikes targeting Iranian military infrastructure. The renewed fighting has further escalated regional tensions, despite a ceasefire agreement reached last month.
According to the US Central Command (CENTCOM), American forces carried out precision strikes against military sites on Qeshm Island and near Bandar Abbas, targeting air defence systems, coastal surveillance installations, military logistics infrastructure, and other strategic assets. The US said the operation was aimed at weakening Iran’s military capabilities and limiting its ability to threaten regional shipping routes.
In response, Iran announced attacks on US military facilities in Bahrain and Kuwait during the early hours of Friday. Witnesses also reported hearing several explosion like sounds in Doha, Qatar, while Qatari authorities confirmed that a child was injured by falling shrapnel.
Iranian media claimed that the latest US strikes also hit five bridges, Bandar Khamir railway station, and Iranshahr Airport. State media reported that seven people were killed after bridges in Bandar Khamir were struck. However, these claims have not been independently verified.
The conflict has once again disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s busiest routes for global oil and gas exports. Iran has reportedly resumed restrictions on maritime traffic, while the United States has tightened measures affecting Iranian ports. The renewed disruption has increased concerns over rising global energy prices and potential impacts on international trade.
Iran has also warned that it could encourage allied groups in Yemen to target the Bab al Mandeb Strait, another critical shipping route, if attacks on Iranian infrastructure continue.
US President Donald Trump has continued to pressure Tehran, warning that additional military action could follow unless Iran returns to negotiations. Despite repeated diplomatic calls for restraint from the international community, both sides remain engaged in military operations, raising fears of a wider regional conflict.
