The military conflict between the United States and Iran over control of the strategic Hormuz Strait has intensified for a week, causing significant repercussions. As U.S. strikes expand to civilian infrastructure, Iran is reportedly broadening its retaliation across the Arab region.
U.S. Central Command announced via social media that it targeted dozens of sites, including Iran's coastal air defense systems and military bases, for about seven hours starting at 2 p.m. local time on July 16. This airstrike is part of a military operation that began on July 11, aimed at neutralizing Iranian military capabilities in the Hormuz Strait and has continued for six consecutive days.
Local reports indicate that a major railway junction near Bandar Abbas in southern Iran and the Bandar Kamir bridge in Hormozgan province were destroyed, resulting in casualties. Additionally, the Iranian airport in Shahrekord experienced a power outage due to shelling, and a watchtower at Chabahar port collapsed.
U.S. media outlets noted that President Donald Trump recently hinted at targeting Iran's critical infrastructure to lift the blockade of the Strait, analyzing that the airstrikes aim to disrupt supply routes connecting southern Iranian port cities to the capital, Tehran, thereby paralyzing both military and civilian logistics.
The Iranian Health Ministry reported that since the breakdown of a ceasefire agreement on June 22, U.S. airstrikes have resulted in 38 deaths and over 400 injuries.
In response, Iran has launched a comprehensive retaliation. Iranian missile attacks prompted the activation of air defense systems in Kuwait, and Bahrain issued air raid alerts. Even Qatar, which had previously been excluded from attacks due to its mediating role, was targeted, resulting in civilian injuries.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed to have struck U.S. military bases in Syria and radar facilities in Oman, warning that if the U.S. continues its offensive against infrastructure, it would attack the entire energy infrastructure in the Gulf region.
As tensions in the Hormuz Strait reach a peak, military standoffs between the two nations remain tense. The U.S. continues its maritime blockade to prevent Iranian oil exports, while Iran threatens to block all oil transport routes for neighboring Gulf countries.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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